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“Happy?” he croaked.
“Uh-huh.” She wiped her tears away.
“Mr. De Leon, you really need to lie down.” The nurse was firm but kind as she settled him back into bed. “Your body has experienced trauma and you need to take things easy. Wake up slowly.” She went through checking his vitals, but Alejandro only had eyes for Cat. She made sure she smiled at him reassuringly.
The last thing she wanted was him freaking out and tearing his stitches.
“Your vitals are looking good. I’m going to contact the doctor and let them know. You can press this button when you need more medication.” She showed him the button to press and put it close to his hand. “Now, no stress. You need to rest. I’ll be back in soon.” She frowned as she glanced at Reuben. “Are you all right? You look like you’re in pain.”
“Dick . . . broken,” Alejandro said.
She broke into a giggle as the nurse’s mouth dropped open, then her gaze moved to Reuben’s crotch.
“It’s not broken,” he protested.
“Well, let me know if you need anything. You’re in the right place for any broken appendages.” She winked at Cat before leaving.
Cat turned back to Alejandro and the tears started again.
His eyes widened and he looked alarmed.
Shit. She blinked, pushing them back.
Calm. Be calm.
“What wrong?” he asked worriedly.
“Nothing. Like I said, these are happy tears. I need you to rest and get better, okay?”
His eyes were already closing and it looked like he was fighting falling asleep.
“Sleep. Please.” She moved closer, running her fingers through his hair as his eyes drifted shut.
His sleep deepened and she let out a sigh of relief. “He’s really going to be all right.”
“I’m not. I need ten ibuprofens and one of those protective cups,” Reuben groaned.
She turned to him. Crap. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
There was a knock on the door, and Rafael turned to stand between it and her as Ortega walked in.
He looked fierce. Cold. A warrior. Her breath caught for a moment as fear rushed through her. But then his face changed as he caught sight of her.
“Cat.”
He came forward and grabbed her. She practically sank into his embrace.
“What the fuck happened?”
Reuben went through everything as Ortega stared down at Alejandro.
“Motherfucking bastard,” Ortega said. “I’m going to fucking destroy them all.”
Oh hell. This time, a different sort of fear filled her. She couldn’t let Ortega get himself killed.
Or go after what was left of Emiliano’s empire before she discovered whether her brother was like their dad or not.
“Ortega, no. You can’t.”
“They shot my brother,” he said, glaring down at her. “No one touches my family.
“Dante needs you,” Reuben said quickly.
“What?”
“He’s furious that Emiliano and his men attacked and shot Alejandro. He’s preparing for war. He needs you to go to him.”
She shot a look at Reuben, wondering what the hell he was doing. Ortega was a loaded gun, set to fire.
But maybe he was just giving him a safer target to aim toward. Rather than him going off on his own.
“Dante needs me.” Ortega nodded. “Unless you need me, Sprinkles.”
“I’m all right,” she whispered.
Ortega grunted. He looked over at Alejandro. “He’s going to be all right.”
She nodded, even though it wasn’t a question. Ortega stepped back from her and gave her a firm look before reaching over to squeeze his brother’s hand.
“Call me if you need anything. And get some rest, you look terrible. I have people watching.”
“What? Who?” Reuben asked, but Ortega was already out the door.
“Fuck,” Reuben said. “At least he’s on his way to Dante and not going to seek his own revenge.”
Yet.
Shit. He better not get himself killed.
Reuben eyed her for a long moment, then pointed at the chair behind her. “Sit.”
Rafael stepped forward, but Reuben waved him off. “I’m not going to upset her.”
Reuben took hold of the water bottle and undid the top, holding it up to her lips. “Drink.”
Uh, yeah. She didn’t need help. She took the bottle from him and took a few sips.
Reuben scowled at her, opening his mouth.
“I’ll keep drinking,” she reassured him.
“Promise?”
She nodded.
“You better.” He pointed at her. “Or I’ll be keeping track of all your infractions and telling Alejandro when he’s better.”
“Such a tattletale,” she muttered. “Remind me to make you some no-bake bars when all of this is over.”
He shook his head at her. “I have to go put out a few fires. I’ll be back later. Call me if you need me. Rafael, do you need to swap out?”
“I’m not going anywhere until Cat does.”
“Drink your water. Pee.” He walked out the door without another word.
“I’d hate to be the poor woman he ends up with,” Rafael said.
There was a beat of silence, then she burst into another round of giggles.
“You know what I meant,” he muttered.
“I know. Sorry, it’s not that funny. I just . . . I just . . .”
