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My eyes fell to my midsection. I didn’t remember how I’d gotten the wound he described.
“Okay, you can relax again. I’ll send the nurse in for another round of tramadol. It’ll take away the pain and help you sleep. We’ll have to keep you heavily medicated for a few days so you can stay on your back.”
“Thank you.”
He left, and I allowed myself to run my fingers through Gabriel’s hair. He still didn’t stir. Maybe I should have asked the doctor to check on him as well.
The door opened again, and I dropped my hand. Expecting the nurse, I pasted a polite smile on my face, one that slipped right off my face when both of Gabriel’s brothers walked in, closely followed by Freya.
She rushed up to the side of my bed, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Vanna, I’m so glad you’re awake.” She took my hand and squeezed it. “You scared us.”
“I’m sorry I worried you.” My voice was barely audible, my eye blinking rapidly to stop the tears from falling.
Jude cleared his throat. “You were unconscious for three days.”
I pointed to Gabriel. “Is he okay? He’s not waking up.”
Liam slapped the back of his hand into Jude’s gut so hard he bent forward with a pained groan. “I fucking told you not to give him three pills.”
Frowning, I looked at Gabriel’s brothers. “Pills?”
Freya pulled a chair up to the side of my bed. “He’s been up the whole time you’ve been in the hospital, refusing to do anything but brood and stare at you. Jude put sleeping pills in his water. They made him pass out about four hours ago.”
Jude seemed unperturbed, playing with one of the IV bags. “He’s obviously fine since he’s snoring away. He’ll thank me later.”
Freya released an exasperated sigh. “Not sure anyone would consider getting drugged the right thing.” She turned back to me. “How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?”
“I just need to sleep.”And forget this ever happened.I must have looked terrible for them to not yell at me and instead show concern for my wellbeing. I would have expected them to treat me with disdain.
Freya jumped off the chair. “Of course. I just wanted to check on you. Mom and Dad only left an hour ago to go home to eat and sleep. They’ll be so happy to hear you’re awake.”
They’d all been here despite knowing what I’d done. I sniffled, biting my lip and looking at my lap. “I can never tell you how sorry I am for everything.”
Freya’s brows drew tight. “We know you didn’t have a choice. And you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
The tears fell in earnest now, and both Liam and Jude took a step back.
“Since this is all your fault, sis, you better make her stop crying before Gabriel wakes up,” Liam said. “We’ll be outside.”
Jude looked back over his shoulder before he followed his brother. “We’re glad you’re okay, sis.”
The tears came faster at his words, and then I found my face pressed into Freya’s shoulder, her hands carefully hugging me to her. “It’s okay. You’ll be fine.”
The tears eventually dried up, and I sniffled, embarrassed at my outburst. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.”
Freya released me. “Stop apologizing. We’re family. And family takes care of each other.”
A nurse entered, shooing Freya out of the room. She put something in my drip, and a few minutes later, my eyes drifted closed.
* * *
When I woke up next, my mouth didn’t feel like I’d eaten sand anymore, and my midsection and back throbbed. The weight on my hip was gone, and I forced my heavy lids to open.
A glance down at the bed confirmed Gabriel was no longer there. His absence hit me harder than I expected, and I swallowed down the whimper that worked its way up my throat.
There was rustling to my right, and then someone stepped up to the side of my bed. I turned my head, looking at familiar hands, up corded muscles, past rolled-up sleeves to a scruffy chin.
His head dipped, and the familiar blue eyes of Gabriel met mine. The grooves on his forehead and dark circles under his eyes confirmed what Freya had told me. He hadn’t gotten much sleep in the last few days.
