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“I’m not kidding around.”
“Me either. It’s really fucked-up. It’s gonna have to be replaced.”
Bull carefully ran his right hand along his side, his gentle touch causing Fox to shiver, raising goose bumps over his flesh. “Does it hurt? How do you know they’re not broken?”
“One of the EMTs checked me out at the scene. I’m okay, trust me. I know what broken and cracked ribs feel like. These are bruised.” Fox laid under the covers that still smelled of Bull, the sheets already nice and crumpled. “I was wearing Kevlar too, remember.”
Amelia announced she was coming in as she walked through the door carrying a tray loaded with coffee, grapefruit juice—because she’d begun adding it to her grocery list when she’d learned it was his favorite—and a plate piled high with grits, bacon, and eggs. She placed it on the opposite side of the bed, then smoothed some of the wrinkles in the sheet from around it.
“Amelia, you’re an angel. That looks amazing. I’ll sleep really good after this.” Fox hissed and clutched his side when he tried to sit up.
Bull was quick to help him, propping the pillows behind his back and setting the tray in his lap. Fox was beginning to think he’d never have this—his partner putting his fear to the side and caring for him while he decompressed from being in the field. Bull had to have seen some of the news last night—probably why he hadn’t slept. Fox could only imagine how scared he was, waiting to hear from him. But Bull had been faithful and honest when he said he’d be there waiting by his side no matter his choice.
“Whoa, Nelly. That’s a nasty bruise you got there,” Amelia said, looking over his chest. “I used to treat my husband’s ailments all the time. God rest his soul. He sure had enough falls and broken bones to last him two lifetimes. He couldn’t stand hospitals, and he hated pills even more. So that meant home remedies.”
“Thank you,” Fox said, already spooning the deliciously creamy grits into his mouth. Damn, if he only had a shovel.
“I have to take care of my boys.” She turned Bull’s television to The Price is Right game show, then set the remote control beside him. “Here, watch this until I get back. This show cracks me up.”
Fox didn’t bother to turn in the direction of the TV, the food was so freaking good. He’d been wanting what his other teammates had had for so long—a home, family—and now he had more than his heart could receive. He had Pop, who he could tell already looked at him as a son. He wouldn’t expect Fox to be perfect and never make a mistake. He’d never beat him down in an attempt to “make him stronger.” All Walker wanted of him was for Fox to love his son unconditionally. Fox could do that forever. And he had Amelia. If he ever imagined what it’d be like to have a real mother, he pictured it’d be someone just like her: sweet and cherishing to her core, and of course could shoot a sawn-off. Dale, Rid, and Garvin were some of the best fucking men Fox had ever had the pleasure of knowing, and he could feel them growing more like brothers every day.
“Slow down. You’re gonna give yourself heartburn,” Bull said from beside him.
And for the first time in his life, Fox had real love. The kind that was beautiful, exciting, and the kind that could bring him to his knees in pain. The good kind.
“I’m hurrying so I can lie down.”
Bull touched his shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t need to… y’know. Maybe speak with someone. Things look like they got a little out of control last night.”
“I have an appointment with the department head doctor already, Bull. It’s mandatory. And since I still have a badge, I’ll have to do the required sessions.”
“M’kay. That’s good, then.”
Fox didn’t want to think about it. Yeah, things had gone south, scarily fast, but that was the field. They had to be prepared for anything at all times. Now it was his job to warn his team of those potential anythings. It’d been his position in the DIA. Now he’d use his talents in another way to keep his team safe, using his brilliance instead of his muscles.
“I guess I went out in a blaze of glory for my last op,” Fox answered, pausing his chewing. “That was all about God and Day though. Somehow a gang got the drop on ’em. If we hadn’t been there…”
“Someone tried to blow them up? Fuck. Who?”
“I don’t know yet. Free thinks there’s a rat in the department, so I’ll be working really close with him to find out who over the next few weeks. The chief has made that a priority.”
