16. Chapter 14

The incessant beeping of the heart monitor drags me from the depths of unconsciousness, each high-pitched tone sending a spike of pain through my skull. I try to lift my arm to grab the damn thing and rip it from the wall. But my limbs may as well be made of lead, heavy and uncooperative. The antiseptic smell of the hospital room invades my nostrils, making my stomach churn and my head spin even more.

I crack my eyes open, just a sliver, and the fluorescent lights above stab into my retinas like knives, forcing me to slam them shut again with a groan. I take a few deep breaths, trying to will away the throbbing in my temples before slowly blinking and letting my vision adjust to the harsh brightness.

The ceiling tiles swim into focus above me, their ugly ass generic white pattern blurring and shifting.

Seriously, I need to get out of this depressing room with its stark white walls and beeping machines. It"s like being trapped in a fucking sci-fi movie.

Someone"s holding my hand tightly, their warmth seeping into my skin. I assume it"s my mother until I turn my head toward the figure slumping in the uncomfortable-looking chair beside my bed.

Killian.

His golden blonde hair is a mess, sticking up in every direction, and his clothes are rumpled and creased. His jaw is covered in stubble, and his eyes are underlined with dark circles.

He looks wrecked, exhausted, but still so fucking beautiful it makes my heart ache.

"Hey, you," I rasp, my voice sounding like I"ve been gargling glass. My throat is raw and scratchy, each word sending a fresh wave of pain through my esophagus.

Killian"s eyes flutter open, and he sits up straighter, his grip on my hand tightening until it's almost painful. "You"re up."

"No, this is all a dream, or a dream within a dream." I start to laugh, but the movement sends shockwaves of agony through my battered body, and I end up groaning instead.

"Always gotta be an asshole, huh?" Killian"s lips twitch into a small smile, but it doesn"t reach his eyes as he leans closer, his thumb stroking over the back of my hand.

"But you love me anyway." The words slip out before I can stop them, and I freeze, my heart monitor picking up speed as I wait for his response.

Killian just smiles, soft and tender, then brings my hand up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. "Yeah, I do. God help me, but I really fucking do."

The moment is broken by the slight scrape of a chair against the linoleum floor, and I tear my gaze away from Killian to my dad, who rises from his seat in the corner of the room. A tired smile creases his face, and his normally impeccable suit is wrinkled.

My mother dozes, curled on a small couch near the window.

Yesterday was long, a blur of pain and confusion. I barely remember it, but at some point, detectives came to my room to ask questions. Before they entered, Mom gave me the subtle warning to watch what I say.

In other words, my father was taking care of shit. She also mentioned the Titans were helping him.

No surprise there. My friends always have my back.

Luckily, the detectives didn't stay long. It helped that between the concussion and all the pain, it was hard for me to recall details.

Dad stands on the other side of my bed, offering me a weak smile and looking ten years older than his actual age. "How're you feeling?"

"Like shit." I close my eyes for a second, taking a few shallow breaths. Every inch of my body hurts, from my toes to the roots of my hair. "When can I get the hell out of here?"

"Not for another day or two." Dad"s voice is firm, leaving no room for argument. "And don"t even ask me to pull strings. Your mother put her foot down about it."

In other words, Mom will kick his ass if he defies her. Neither of my parents is truly the head of the household. They share the responsibility unless it"s a topic super important to one of them.

Then all bets are off.

"Son, I'm so sorry for getting the bastard the job. I should've been more thorough looking into him." My dad shakes his head, pain erupting in his exhausted features. "This is my fault. I let my guilt overrun common sense."

"There's no need to apologize. It's not your fault."

My dad's eyes are wet, and it eats at me to see him like this. "I should've protected my family better. But he's been taken care of."

His words are stern, his expression hard. He doesn"t elaborate further, and I don't push because Killian will fill me in.

And I"m sure I can guilt my boyfriend into telling me even if my dad told him not to. I'll simply play the I almost got killed card. Killian will cave faster than a house of cards in a fucking hurricane.

Mom stirs awake, then makes her way to my bed, her heels clicking on the linoleum floor. She leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, her perfume enveloping me in its familiar scent. "You need anything, sweetheart?"

"To go home." I give her my best pleading look, but she just pins me with the mom look, the one that says not a chance in hell, buddy, then she turns to Killian. "Don"t let me find out you snuck him out of here either, or you"ll take a nice long swim next."

I blink a few times, then narrow my eyes, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Did a certain someone get a pair of cement shoes?"

Just then, a nurse comes in to check my vitals and the conversation dies off. She adjusts my IV bag and runs through some questions about how I"m feeling, her voice annoyingly chipper. I answer as best I can, gritting my teeth against the pain, and she finally leaves, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

"Well, this is nice and all . . ." I joke weakly, looking at my parents. "But you two need to meet Kill under better circumstances. Like, maybe dinner where no one"s hooked up to machines and shit."

My dad looks from me to him. "Agreed, though we did spend some quality time together."

"Do I need to be jealous that you might be hitting on my boyfriend? He's mine and I'm not sharing."

Mom huffs and picks up her purse, slinging it over her shoulder. "Before this conversation goes somewhere utterly stupid, your father and I are going to go get some decent coffee. We"ll be back in a little bit."

"Fuck you for rubbing decent food in my face." I pout, my stomach growling at the mention of anything edible.

Killian squeezes my hand. "Did you just . . . My mom would clock me if I cursed at her."

Mom just huffs. "Trust me, Killian, he knows better. By the way, would you like something? I can bring it back so you can eat it in front of my son, really rub it in."

Evil, vile woman.

"No thank you, Mrs. Reed." Kill smiles politely, ever the gentleman.

With that, my parents head out of the room, the door swinging shut behind them.

I try to sit up, wanting to get closer to Killian, but immediately the room spins, black spots dancing in my vision. I fall back against the pillows with a groan, my head pounding like a fucking jackhammer.

"Don"t move too much." Killian"s brows furrow as he smooths the hair back from my forehead. "You need to rest."

"You look like shit." I give him my best charming smile, ignoring the way it makes my split lip throb. "Now tell me how handsome I am. Boost my ego a little."

"Sorry, the hospital doesn't serve alcohol, so I"m pretty sober right now, and you"re kinda busted-looking. Might take a pint or two before your mug starts to border on decent-looking."

"Worst boyfriend ever. You"re lucky I love you."

"Took you long enough to say it back." Killian leans over and presses his mouth to mine in the gentlest of kisses. It"s the only time we"ve ever been this soft with each other, and it makes my heart ache in the best way. He rests his forehead against mine, his breath ghosting over my skin. "I was terrified seeing you like this . . . When Alexei and Viktor came to SSU to get me . . ."

His voice trails off, and he swallows hard, his Adam"s apple bobbing.

I squeeze his hand, the one he"s still holding mine with, never having let go. "I"m okay. Or . . . at least I will be. I"m a stubborn bastard, remember?"

"I"m yours, Jackson. Every inch of me. Whatever you need, however you need it. I"m not going anywhere." Killian"s voice is fierce, his eyes blazing with determination and love.

His words send a flutter through my battered body, warmth coursing inside my veins like honey.

No matter how much pain I"m in, having Killian by my side makes me feel whole, like my world is complete.