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“He dropped off a couple of bags.” I hear the shrug in Felix’s tone. “Then he sat down and asked how she’s doing. That’s it.”
I don’t bother with my sleep façade any longer. There’s no need. So I open my eyes fully, and warm when I find Archer’s beautiful green stare boring back at me.
“Hey.” He presses a kiss to my wrist and turns his head so I feel his damp hair on my skin. His fresh trim. “You’re looking better already, Minnnka. Did you wake while I was gone?”
I nod, slowly so I don’t hurt my shoulder. “Just for a minute.”
He squeezes my closed fist, just a quick pulse, and I feel the hard edge of whatever I’m holding bite into my skin.
Curiosity battles with my pain and exhaustion. Carefully, I tug my hand from Archer’s grasp and uncurl my fingers.
Sitting in the cup of my palm is my white gold chain and wedding band.
“Oh…” I choke on my shuddering breath as I close my fist again and bring it to my heart for safekeeping.
“Where did you…” Archer whips his gaze from me to Felix. “Where’d that come from?”
“Dude-cop gave it to her while she slept.” Felix lifts his left leg and rests his ankle on the opposite knee. Then he grins. “He was hitting on your wife, Arch.”
“Shut the fuck up.” He brings his eyes back to me. “Fletch gave this to you?”
“So it would seem,” I rasp.
Gently, he peels my fingers open again and takes the delicate necklace. Then he groans. “The clasp is broken.”
“It’s okay.” I reach up and place my hand—albeit clumsily, in my sleep fog—on the back of his head. To comfort him. To hug him. “We can get it fixed.”
Footsteps squeak on linoleum. When I glance in the direction of the sound, I find Aubree watching me from the door, flanked by Tim on one side, and Eli on the other.
Her breath comes out on a gasp. “You’re awake!” She charges into the room and sets a to-go coffee cup on my bedside table before draping herself over my body.
I stifle my grunt. She hurts me, but I don’t stop her. I don’t push her away.
“I’ve been in and out all day,” she cries. “I’ve waitedall freakin’ dayto see you awake, Mayet! Dammit.”
“I’m awake now.” I swallow the nausea in my throat and wait for her to pull back. Though, when she does, it’s just far enough to look into my eyes.
Her pink and purple streaks fall across her brows, and the tears on her cheeks dribble to her jaw.
“I’m a little sleepy, is all,” I tell her.
“You lost more than two and a half liters of blood,” she snarls as she pushes herself upright again. “That’s a lot, Chief! Of course you’re sleepy.”
“They put it back, though, right?” A yawn wracks my frame and holds me captive until it’s done. Then I point toward the end of my bed. “Someone pass me my files.”
“You’re not allowed to see them.” Twisting, Aubree slaps Tim’s hand when he reaches for the folder. “She’s not allowed to treat herself,” she growls.
“And yes,” she looks back to me, “they ‘put it back.’They gave you two blood transfusions. But you suffered significant trauma!”
“So why are you shouting at me?” Tears burn my eyes—not because I’m emotional, but because I’m more exhausted than I can remember ever being. “I don’t know why you’re mad.”
“Because I was worried,” she bites out. “But instead of holding onto that worry, I swap it for rage. It feels nicer in my belly.”
She plops her ass on the side of my bed so I have to move my leg, then she reaches out and snatches up her coffee. “How do you feel?”
I choke out a soft laugh that sends bolts of pain slashing through my arm. “A little beat up, to be honest. Tired.” Then my stomach rumbles. “Hungry.”
“I’ll get you something to eat.” Tim spins on his heels and dashes back into the hall.
