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YOU’RE AN IDIOT
KARINA
The doctors said Nathan was lucky.
It wasn’t a fatal wound. Nothing too serious, but the pain had put him in a state of mental shock, which kept Nathan from responding for a while. They had also given him painkillers, which caused him to fade in and out. But he was ok. They removed the bullet, cleaned, and bandaged him up.
Nathan exaggerated. At least that’s what Matthews—Cole had said when a police officer took Adam away.
He stood quietly beside me, standing against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Cole didn’t speak much or give his name unless the doctors came in to ask questions, and even then, he stepped outside of the room. I was sure he didn’t know that I was aware he was Nathan’s brother. I stared at him, wondering how I didn’t piece it together before. He had the same stormy gray almond-shaped eyes. They even had matching tattoos on their upper arm. The only difference was the galaxy sleeve creeping down his arm. On his other hand, he had branches wrapped around his fourth finger that looked like a wedding band.
“This was the last tattoo I got.”
“Oh.” My eyes trailed over what looked like the moon, along with abstract hexagons around it. “And that one? Nathan has it too.”
Cole scoffed. “Yeah, because he copied mine.”
“Why?” I glanced up at him. On his lip was the same smirk Nathan gave all the time.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t give you the opportunity to ask him yourself when he wakes up.”
I drifted my attention back over to the sleeping man hooked up to machines. The sound of his steady heart filled our sudden moment of silence.
“It must be important,” I kept my eyes on Nathan, “If you both have it.”
“That’s because it is. It’s a logo for Club Gravity.”
“Does Daniel have the same one?”
“He told you about Daniel?” Cole smirked. I could feel his gaze on me.
“He told me about his brothers and the club, briefly.” I glanced over at him. “Why were you around?”
“Figured that lunch date would be the perfect opportunity for Mr. Prince to strike.” Cole shrugged his shoulders. “I followed him and ended up there at the house.”
“But he hurt Nathan, not me.”
“Yeah, because his choice was simple: shoot Nathan and make it look like self defense or kill his one shot to take your father’s company.”
That made sense, I suppose. Looking back at Nathan, I watched as he stirred.
“You know he cares about you, right?” It came out more like a statement than a question.
I looked back at him, waiting for him to continue.
“Between you and me; I think that means you’re one of the most important people in his life, or as he would say; ‘the most important piece on the chessboard’ or something like that.”
A soft chuckle escaped my lips. That was something Nathan would say. “And he’s a pawn, sometimes a knight.”
“No, he’s just an idiot.”
Yes, but it was hard not to get caught up by Nathan’s usual upbeat demeanor. He made it so easy to hate him and want to get to know him at the same time.
Cole shook his head and continued, “But he’s got a good heart and for what it’s worth, he really likes you.”
“I mean, he protected me, but that’s kind of his job.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, but he never gets close to people. Usually gives himself and the other person a reason to keep their distance.”
Which made sense as to why he was such a dick when I had first met him. “I guess so.”
Cole hummed. “Well, I should get going. I have to check on your brother and handle a couple of things. Make sure Nathan texts me when he’s all better.”
I nodded. “I will, but make sure you don’t stay hidden in the shadows for too long.”
“I won’t. Unfortunately, we’re brothers. No matter where life takes us… So I’ll be around.” Taking one last look at Nathan, he smiled. “I’ll see you around, Karina.”
“Hopefully soon, Cole.”
He chuckled, leaving the room without another word.
The hours soon passed, and Nathan was still sound asleep.
It was already early morning, and I hadn’t eaten much, not even at that lunch date with Adam. My stomach growled, angry with me, but I refused to leave Nathan’s side until he woke.
“I feel like I’ve been shot in the chest.” Nathan’s groggy voice caught my attention.
Tears welled up in my eyes as they drifted over, catching him staring in my direction. I placed my hand against his and smiled. “That’s because you were.”
“Makes sense. How bad was it?”
“Nothing fatal,” I reassured him.
“Felt like it was…” He paused for a moment, leaning his head back on the pillow. “I thought I was dying back there. “
“Luckily, it was just a lot of pain and possibly some trauma.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He muttered. He took in a deep breath, soon groaning, probably because of the pain he still felt. “So, how’d I get here?”
I smiled softly. “Cole was around with a cop.”
“That means nothing.” Nathan glanced down at arm. “We’ll still probably have to go to a hearing or something.”
We would, but for the time being, Adam would be behind bars for a while. “The cop saw everything, so he’ll be on our side, and we have all the paper evidence. My witness statements and yours.”
“Yeah. I guess so.” He paused for a moment. “You said Cole was there?”
“He said you exaggerated.”
“That’s because he’s a dick.” Nathan tried to chuckle, but only coughed in pain. “I’m sorry about our date.”
“Don’t be. I still got to know you a bit.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded with a chuckle. “Maybe more than you know about me.”
“I know plenty more than you think.” He smirked.
I raised an eyebrow at him, deciding to start with something simple. “What’s my favorite color?”
“Pink. Possibly black, maybe white too.”
Lucky guess.
“And my least favorite thing?” I asked.
“When I call you a Princess or when anyone tries to undermine you.” His lips turned up into a smile. “You know you’re a queen and should be treated like one.”
“You’re an idiot, just like your brother said.” I giggled, and although I wanted the moment to last us together laughing, I had to know.
“So, how about you explain why Cole claims I’m so important to you?”
Nathan stared at me, baffled, though soon a smile crept upon his face as he shook his head. “Can we not talk about that?”
“Of course, anything you want, Nathan.” I moved closer to him, pressing my lips to his cheek.
“Anything?” He raised an eyebrow at me playfully.
I chuckled and got up. Walking around the bed, I grabbed the glass of water for him, placing a straw inside. Bringing it over, I held it to his lips. He took a few long sips.
“What else could you possibly want?”
“Everything you’re willing to share with me since our date was fucked up.”
“We can have it now, if you want.” I allowed him to take one last sip before putting the cup back down on the table.
“No. I want to give you my full attention when you tell me all about yourself.” He opened his hand, and I slid mine over his, linking our fingers together. “And I won’t be able to give that to you now.”
Leaning over, I brushed my lips over his. “Then later sounds like a plan.”
