Chapter 26

Dix paced the waiting room.Gary and Michael sat together in a corner, conferring among themselves. Chalmers stood by, his expression grim, and every time Dix so much as glanced at him, it was as if someone turned the gas up under his already-simmering rage.

That fucker. If he hadn't come, Doc wouldn't have been shot. If he hadn't come, Doc wouldn't be in surgery. If he hadn't come....

Dix clenched his fists. Down boy.Cool your jets. He knew it was circular thinking, but the more he dwelled on it, the angrier he got.

Concentrate on Doc. He's what matters now.

He could still hear the Emergency Room doctor, his voice calm and even, telling them Doc was in the best hands. It was all he had to hold on to while they waited to hear how the surgery had gone.

Be okay, Doc. Please?

The Kevlar vest hadn't been any real help. Or, maybe it had. If Dix hadn't moved Doc right before the blast, who knows where the shot would have hit. Either way, Dix was grateful to whoever wanted to take fucking credit that Doc wasn't lying on a slab instead of an operating table. And as soon as the surgeons retrieved the bullet, Dix would be on the hunt for the bastard who'd tried to kill Doc.

He caught the murmur of voices. Chalmers was deep in conversation with Gary and Michael. Dix's curiosity got the better of him, and he went to join them. When he got near enough to make out what Chalmers was saying, his blood boiled.

"I told them this would happen."

You motherfucker.

Dix rushed forward, grabbed Chalmers by the shoulders, and slammed him into the wall so hard, people in the nurse's station on the other side cried out.

"What the fuck do you mean, you told them?" He balled his fist and thrust it into Chalmers's gut. "You fucking set him up!"

Chalmers doubled over, his face red. "Dixon, I?—"

Dix aimed a punch to Chalmers's face, followed by another, and another. Hands gripped Dix's arms, tugging him away, and Dix struggled to get free of Michael's grasp. He tried to land another punch, but Gary hobbled in front of him, his hands up.

"You're going to have to hit me if you want to get to him," he warned.

Dix froze. "You're protecting him? After what he just pulled?"

Then the doors were flung open and Security rushed into the waiting room.

Chalmers straightened, his face already bruising. "Sorry, guys. We're all under a lot of pressure, and we let loose a bit." He flashed his badge. "Everything's fine. Really."

The guard who appeared to be in charge looked dubious, but he nodded and they dispersed. Dix was still aching to go again. To punch this son of a bitch until he spilled what was going on.

Chalmers squared his shoulders and looked Dix in the eye. "You need to hear me out, okay?"

Dix didn't trust himself to answer.

Chalmers took a long breath. "Thanks." He gestured to the chairs behind them. "You mind if I sit? You kinda knocked the stuffing out of me."

"Why don't we all sit down?" Michael suggested. He met Dix's gaze. "Especially you."

Dix could sit. It wasn't going to make him more receptive to whatever story Chalmers cooked up, however.

Chalmers leaned forward, hands clasped between his knees, his voice low. "Look, when I got the email telling me to come, I argued they were painting a target on Josh's back." He set his jaw. "I was told in no uncertain terms that I had my assignment, and it needed to get done." He locked gazes with Dix, and Dix flinched at the raw pain he saw there. "I swear to you, I didn't know he would be hurt, and I'm just as devastated over this as you are."

Dix managed a barely concealed snort.

Chalmers's gaze softened. "Okay, not as much as you are. I know he doesn't mean to me what he does to you. I've always thought of him as a friend, even if we never had that kind of relationship." He sat back. "You? I could see us being friends, and I'd like that." He held his hands up. "I know you don't trust me, and after this, you probably never will. I'm okay with that, at least as long as Josh is safe and taken care of. I knew how you felt for him when I saw you at the police station. You had that look on your face that said you'd hurt anyone who came near him." He gave a half smile. "One day, I hope to feel that strongly about someone."

Gary stood, leaning heavily on his walker. "Guys? I think we're about to get some news."

They rose as a doctor in scrubs approached, heading for Gary, and Dix's heart lurched.

"Mr. Cross? I'm Doctor James." They shook.

"Good to meet you, Doctor. I wish it was under better circumstances. What can you tell us about Dr. Malone's condition?"

Michael frowned. "Is he allowed to do that? Don't we have to be relatives?"

Before Gary could reply, Dr. James interjected. "Mr. Cross has power of attorney. There was a card in Dr. Malone's wallet for who to call in case of emergency, confirming it."

"How bad is he?" Gary asked.

Dixon struggled to suppress the flare of jealousy. He wanted to be the one they talked to about Doc.

Hey, be thankful Gary's here, and that he and Doc sorted out power of attorney between them. Without it, you'd still be in the dark.

"There was damage to the liver, stomach, and the left kidney," Dr. James informed Gary. "The good news is there are no signs of injuries to the chest wall or the ribs. We've removed the bullet and repaired the damage it caused. We were especially concerned about the kidney. Your friend was very lucky under the circumstances. We've also inserted a percutaneous nephrostomy tube and a retroperitoneal drain."

Dix blinked. "Once more in English, please?"

Dr. James smiled. "There is a flat rubber tube coming from his back. That is draining the remaining fluid from where we operated. The smaller tube with what looks like a spigot attached is coming from his kidney and draining what will look like urine while his kidney heals."

"What's the prognosis?"

Dr. James's smile widened. "He's going to be okay. He'll be with us for a few days, five at the most, on a course of IV antibiotics. Once the amount of drainage is down to almost nothing, we'll remove the flat rubber drain, and he can go home with a supply of pain meds and more antibiotics. We'll want to see him again about a month after that to check on his kidney function and remove the tube. After that, we're talking regular visits to his doctor to check on his progress."

Dix swore they all heaved a simultaneous sigh of relief.

"What's the recuperation time?" he asked.

"That's a good question, Dix," Michael murmured.

Dix felt for Michael, because right then, he was likely having flashbacks of Gary being in the hospital, except he'd been on the verge of death. A line he crossed more than once.

Dix wasn't sure he could handle Doc being in that position.

"No lifting anything heavier than five pounds while the drains are in. The discomfort will keep him honest in that regard. The nurses are going to have him out of bed first thing in the morning and walking in the halls by afternoon."

And I'll be the one who's walking with him. Dix would make sure of that.

"That fast?" Gary asked.

Dr. James nodded. "Bedrest 24/7 is not his friend. We want to prevent pneumonia, and the best way to do that is short walks around the hospital. We'll make future recommendations when we see him again. He's going to be fine, but it's going to take some time, and we'll need to keep an eye on him going forward."

"Thank you, Dr. James." Gary shook his hand again. "When can we see him?"

"Once he's awake and I've checked on his progress." He nodded to the others before walking away.

Dix shuddered out a long breath as he sank back onto the chair. "Thank God for that."

"What he said." Chalmers's phone buzzed, and he peered at the screen with a frown. "Damn." He pocketed it. "Mr. Cross, I have to go now, but will you please keep me informed on Josh's status?"

Gary nodded. "Sure."

"Just so you know? I'll be requesting that the bullet be sent to us for analysis."

Dix blinked. "You think that's such a good idea?"

Chalmers scowled. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Dix wasn't about to back off. "It means I have visions of it disappearing into some deep FBI evidence locker, never to be seen again. Because something sure doesn't smell right about this whole business."

Chalmers stared at him. "Give me a little credit, why don't you? I'm planning on standing right there during the tests, because quite frankly, I've got my own suspicions now." He narrowed his gaze. "I want to get the guy who did this just as much as you do." He bit his lip. "I think we've been down this particular road already today." He held out his hand to Dix. "Take care of him, okay?"

Dix shook it. "I intend to."

"Before I go… I'm going to inform those working at the front desk that there is no patient named Josh Malone in this hospital." Chalmers glanced at the three of them. "Just in case someone comes checking."

He watched as Chalmers exited the waiting room.

"You're lucky he didn't have you hauled out of here," Michael muttered.

The same thought had occurred to Dix.

"I'm going to camp out by Doc's door until they let me in," he told them.

Gary smiled. "Then we'll camp out with you."

Chalmers's words had struck a chord.

"After you set up some security here. Chalmers was right." Dix met Gary's gaze. "If I were the enemy, I'd want to make sure my quarry was dead. And if he wasn't, then I'd be here to finish the job."

Josh opened his eyes,aware of pain, a dull constant ache.

Where am I?

He heard beeps. Whirs. The soft sound of heels on linoleum close by.

In a hospital, then. How did I end up?—

A flood of sharp, detailed images stole his breath. Dixon kissing him on the sidewalk. A loud bang. Pain tearing through him. Dixon on top of him, and not in a fun way. Screams. People running. More screams.

I want Dixon.

Then he closed his eyes, succumbing to the tug of comforting oblivion.

When he opened them again, a nurse stood beside his bed.

"You're awake."

Josh wasn't sure he'd go that far. "Kinda." The word came out as a croak.

She chuckled. "How are you feeling?" Something touched his lips. Ice chips. "Just a few. If you can tolerate those, we'll think about something more substantial, but not right away."

He swallowed. "Where's Dixon?"

"Mr. Meeks is in the waiting room, with a few other men who say they work with you."

Gary and Michael. Josh would be lucky if they didn't slap a collar on him and lock him in Dixon's room after this debacle.

"Need to see him."

She smiled kindly. "Sorry, the doctor has dibs. He needs to check the wound and make sure it looks okay. After that, you can have visitors."

The most random of thoughts pushed into Josh's mind. "My eclairs?"

Her eyes sparkled. "Eclairs?"

"I had some. What happened to them?"

"They weren't with you when you came in. And all things considered, I don't think you'd want to eat them now."

"But they were so good," Josh whimpered.

Another chuckle met his ears. "Close your eyes, Dr. Malone. Try to get some rest."

Josh felt as though he had weights attached to his eyelids, so he complied. Another few seconds and he was out like a light.

He had no idea how much time passed before he woke again, only now a middle-aged man in a white coat stood over him.

"Dr. Malone, it's good to see you awake. My name is Dr. James, but you can call me Jim."

Josh managed a snicker. "Jim James?" He felt more alert after his sleep.

The doctor rolled his eyes dramatically. "I'm here to examine you, okay?"

"Sure. As long as you warmed your hands first."

Dr. James chuckled. "I can see I'll have my work cut out for me with you." He lifted the dressings to peer at Josh's torso. "And as for my name, thank my parents for that one. I haven't a clue as to what was going through their heads at the time."

Parents….

Oh, fuck. "They didn't contact my parents, did they?"

"No, per your directive, the only one we gave information to was Mr. Cross."

"Not Dixon?" Josh's stomach churned at that thought. It wasn't right that Dixon didn't get to know.

"Mr. Cross was with two other men who worked with you."

Josh smiled. "Was one of them tall and broad and had sexy-as-hell eyes?"

That earned him another chuckle. "I'm going to guess you're referring to the one they called ‘Dix.' And as for his eyes, I couldn't possibly comment." He grinned. "My wife would be a little upset if I told her I'd said a guy's eyes were sexy, especially since I haven't said it to her much in the last few years."

That saddened Josh. The person you love should always know it.

"Maybe tell her more often?" he asked, his voice quiet. "You never know when you won't have the chance to do it again."

Something I'm going to remember from now on.

There were things that needed to be shared. Words that needed to be said out loud.

Three little words in particular.

Dr. James stilled. "I will," he promised. "You'd think my job would be a constant reminder of that." He covered Josh's wounds, pulled a chair toward the bed, and sat. "Okay, so. Let me tell you what happened to you, what you can expect moving forward, and how it will impact you." He went through the story, with Josh listening intently. After he finished, he touched the area gently. "It looks a little red, but that's to be expected. Now, you need to settle in and turn yourself over to our nurse's tender mercies." He snorted. "Just watch out for Claudette. She's the one they call Attila the Hun's evil sister. She makes him look like a choir boy." He peered up at the nurse who'd entered the room. "That's what they say, right, Amber?"

The nurse—Amber, which Josh knew he'd probably forget before she left the room—coughed. "I have no idea what you're talking about, doctor. Claudette is… well, she doesn't stand for any nonsense, but she's an amazing nurse."

Dr. James laughed. "I'm teasing, of course."

"Can I see Dixon now?" Josh asked. "Please?"

Why the hell was he on the verge of tears?

Because if you'd died, Dixon never would have known how you felt. He could have been sitting in that waiting room, only to get word you'd died on the operating table.

Dr. James smiled. "I think you're ready for a few visitors. But they can't stay too long, okay? You need to rest."

Dr. James—Jim James… wow—left, and Amber checked the monitors before she, too, was ready to go. "This Dixon? He must really care for you," she said. "I heard from one of the security guards that he went after that fed in the waiting room. If the other two hadn't stepped in, they would have come to blows, I think."

Chalmers? What the hell was going through Dixon's mind to attack him?

"Can I see him now? Just Dixon first, please."

She smiled. "Sure. I'll leave you alone, but not for long, okay?" She left the room.

Josh felt as though hours passed before the door opened and Dixon stepped in. The first thing Josh noted was how haggard he looked. With his hair mussed, his cheeks sunk, and his eyes hollow, he didn't appear to have slept in days.

"Dixon!" he whimpered, and a moment later, he was at Josh's side, peppering him with kisses.

"I'm so very fucking sorry, Doc," he said, his voice gravelly. "So fucking sorry."

There was no way Josh was having that.

"Shut up. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead." He raked his fingers through Dixon's hair, remembering the two of them snuggling in bed, Dixon's face buried in Josh's neck, the breath warm on his skin. It was after their first time together, and Josh had finally learned what it meant to be content. His brain had stilled. His mind had almost cleared of any other thoughts beyond the fact Dixon was holding him. "Dixon, I don't know what protocol is for this, but?—"

Dixon snorted. "Protocol?" He leaned in close, his face inches from Josh's. "I love you so much, Doc. So very fucking much."

Josh swore the beeping sped up on the monitor.

He gave Dixon a mock glare. "And you just stole my thunder. I was about to say it to you, you bastard."

Dixon's eyes widened as he straightened. "You…. You were?"

Josh smiled. "Yeah. Since meeting you…." He chuckled. "Okay, since I remembered who you were, you've been there for me. You did a much better job of taking care of me than I did. I know I'm making you sound more like a caregiver than a lover, but this is all new for me, and I hope you understand what I'm saying."

"Yeah, I get it." Dixon stroked his hair.

"The time I've been in your place has been like a dream come true. Most nights I slept, and that's a pretty big deal in my book. That night we watched a movie, I didn't drift off during it because you were beside me, your hand on my knee. Everything you've done has kept me in the moment, but now I want something for my future too."

"You like my place?"

Josh sighed. "I used to think Grandma's place was where I needed to be, but I think I could be happy in yours too—as long as you were there."

"Then why don't we make this situation permanent? Why don't you move in with me? You know Gary, Michael, and I are not gonna let you out of our sight even for a minute until this thing is resolved, so you're going to be at CrossBow until then anyway."

Josh knew that. The family he'd begun cobbling together would want him safe. But making things permanent? He wanted to say yes, he truly did. But Dixon could have been killed protecting Josh. Was it fair to bring trouble like that to his door?

"Can I think about it?"

Dixon gave the tiniest flinch before replying. "Of course."

I'm not saying no. But there are things I need to do first before we take that step.

Josh intended to figure this mystery out. He would unmask the person or persons who were screwing over his life, because now he wanted to start a new one with Dixon.

And heaven help any son of a bitch who gets in my way.