Page 85 of Sleigh My Heart

“Monday.” Nick’s voice was almost as gravelly as hers.

With more strength than she realized she had, she forced her eyes open.

He looked haggard. “Have you slept?”

“A little.”

She’d been in here a day. Between the pain meds and the rotating door of medical staff, she’d lost track of time.

Water. She reached, but her hand wouldn’t move. Nick. He was holding her hand.

“What do you need?” He gave her fingers a light squeeze.

“A drink. Thirsty.”

His fingers slipped away and Michelle felt it deep in her soul. She stretched her arm, searching for him. The movement pulled across her torso and she winced.

“Stay still.” He held a cup to her mouth.

“I was shot, not paralyzed.” She sipped, then grateful for his help mumbled, “Thank you.”

“You could have been. A few inches higher…” His jaw flexed.

“Hey. I’ll be okay. The doctor said I should go home tomorrow.”

He scanned the room. His gaze bouncing from the monitors to the IVs. “I really hate this place.”

“I’m sorry.” She touched his arm with minimal shifting. She bit back the flinch. Maybe she’d call for a little more pain meds.

“I haven’t been this scared in… I thought I’d lost you.” He flipped his hand over and linked his fingers with hers.

“Hey, you aren’t getting rid of me that quickly. We just found each other again.” She knew he was reliving the day his mom died. She couldn’t let him cast her in that role. She was here and alive.

“Knock, knock.” Jim stuck his head through the door opening. “I see you’re still laying around.”

“Yeah, yeah. Yours was a flesh wound. I had surgery to remove the bullet.”

“You just keep telling yourself that.” He pulled the other chair up to the bed and patted her thigh. “Seriously though. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay. I’ll have to find one of these beds. I love the reclining feature.”

“I’m sure we can find you one.” Jim turned to Nick. “Man, you are either a terrible shot or a marksman. You hit the one place in Smith’s chest that missed every vital artery and organ.”

“How is Elaine?” Michelle bit back a wince as she tried to scooch up in the bed.

Nick jumped up to help her.

“She’ll live. Unlike Stigman.” Jim’s gaze cut to Nick then back to his sister. “I questioned her this morning. It seems she and Staniski had a fling going and it went south when she met Junior Silver.”

“Was she the contact for Towers?” Michelle bit her cheek, waiting to see if she was right.

“Yeah. I have to corroborate her story, but she claims it was self-defense. Staniski didn’t take the break up too well and came after her with a knife.”

“And she what? Overpowered him and slit his throat?” Disbelief showed clearly on Nick’s face.

“I know, I know. She’s a buck-twenty-five, and Jonny was at least one-eighty. But, it’s her story. We’ll see what the techs come back with.” Jim shook his head then continued, “Anyway, she freaked out and called big brother, who came to the rescue.”

Nick sat back. “And Junior? Was Stigman helping Margarita off Garmen?”