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I still hadn’t uncovered the reason all of this had happened. My son and nephew had visited the Underground to bid on women, but they stopped that months ago. Conway promised me he wouldn’t do it again, and I knew my son wouldn’t break a promise to me. But they must have been doing business behind my back and something went south.
It was the only thing I could think of.
Max wasn’t there, so the doctor came to me with an update on Bones.
“We stopped the bleeding, gave him a blood transfusion… He’s going to be alright. He just needs to stay here for a few days to recover. We’ll keep an eye on him to make sure there are no complications.”
“Is he awake?”
“No. He’ll be asleep for a while. But you can visit him anytime you want.” He walked away and left me alone in the lobby. Thankfully, no one had witnessed the conversation I had with the doctor, so I didn’t have to answer any questions.
When I walked into Bones’s hospital room, the relationship would be different. He used to be inferior to me, but that had changed. He’d proven himself to me, not just that he loved my daughter, but he was the powerhouse he’d always said he was. He’d proved he could protect my daughter. He’d proved he was worthy of her.
So now I had no choice but to give him the prize he’d earned.
Six
Bones
Like last time I was in the hospital, I woke up to the gentle beep of the monitor.
My eyes opened slightly, and I was immediately aware of the lack of pain. My shoulder had been killing me, but now I couldn’t feel anything. My eyes opened farther, and the white walls came into view, along with the TV that hung from the wall. The screen was black because it was off.
The blinds were partially open, and I could see the faint light making shadows across the floor. It seemed to be sunset, the light slowly disappearing from the world. The last thing I remembered was nightfall. I remembered executing fearless men and taking the life from their veins. I snapped a man’s neck, but that was the last thing I could remember.
I didn’t know how much time had passed.
I turned my head a little toward the doorway, expecting to see Max sitting in one of the chairs at my bedside. But he wasn’t there.
Crow Barsetti was.
I blinked my eyes a few times as I stared at him, taking in his muscular arms and chiseled jaw. His black wedding ring sat on his left hand. His elbows rested on his knees, and his hands came together as he stared straight ahead. He was deep in thought, his mind not in that hospital room with me.
“Conway alright?” My voice came out hoarse from not speaking for so long. It was husky and harsh, clawing against my throat as it emerged. Crow wouldn’t be sitting at my bedside if his son were clinging to life.
Crow slowly lifted his head and looked at me, the consternation in his eyes slowly fading away. He straightened in the chair, sitting back and pulling his elbows off his knees. His hands moved to his thighs, and his wide shoulders turned rigid with discomfort. “He’s fine. Some broken ribs and a broken nose, but nothing serious.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” The words were genuine because I didn’t want to have taken a bullet for no reason.
Crow looked forward again, unable to look at me.
It was the first time Crow had backed down. I hadn’t even thought that was possible. I’d seen strong men break down in fear once I challenged them. Crow Barsetti never showed any sign of intimidation when it came to the two of us, even though I was half his age and twice his strength. I’d seen him look straight down a barrel and wait for his enemy to pull the trigger. But now the power dynamic between the two of us had shifted.
Because I’d saved his entire family.
If it weren’t for me, he would be dead—along with his brother and son.
I knew it.
He knew it.
He rubbed his palms together and breathed a quiet sigh, full of frustration along with something else. When he gathered his bearings, he turned back to me. “We both know what I should say to you, but I’m having a hard time saying it.”
“I’ve got all day.”
The corner of his mouth rose slightly in a smile, appreciating my sarcasm.
I kept my head on the pillow with my arm beside me. The IV was in my hand, providing fluids to my body. The bed was small in comparison to my body. I was surprised it could even withstand my weight.
“For starters…thank you for saving my life.”
I watched him, watched him look me in the eye as he said it. I hung on to every word, knowing I deserved the gratitude. Most people would shrug it off and not make a big deal about it. But that wasn’t the case here. I wanted the recognition for my sacrifice. I wanted the respect I deserved. I wanted to clear my family’s legacy and begin a new one. “You’re welcome.”
