Page 125 of Xavier

“Kaine.”

“Shut up, you idiot. Your head’s not in the right space. I don’t want you fucking up any of our projects while you’re like this. So get yourself sorted out. Take the car, take the plane, take whatever you need. But sort yourself out. The work will be there when you get back. I don’t intend on going belly up any time soon.”

“You might if I’m not there.”

“Too bad they didn’t inflate your ego instead of your spleen.”

“You’re a real asshole, you know?”

“I have you to remind me every day, Xave. Stay alive for that if nothing else.”

“Fuck off.”

“I’m serious. Try to stay alive. You still owe me $20 from last week’s card game.”

"It was Go Fish, and I was half-conscious."

“Not my fault you didn’t check the fine print. Jade will be by later to fuss over you.”

“I’ll make sure I need a sponge bath then!” I yell at his back as he chuckles on his way to the elevator.

I wait until I hear the door close behind him before I let out my breath, groaning at the pain in my chest.

That has nothing to do with my injuries.