10. Chapter 10

Chapter ten

TIA

I drag my hands through my hair, groaning as I realize how much shit we're in. Paval is passed out. It's nearly four am and I have classes in three hours. Cairo has been pacing most of that time after we carted Paval out the back of his fraternity and into the nurse's building an hour ago. I swiped some clothes and stuffed them into Paval's bag, knowing I won't be taking him back to that chaos after we figure out what's wrong. Nick, one of the medical students, agreed to be on call for minor injuries so that we didn't have to involve a real hospital. It helps that he's one of the deans' sons and has basically been given keys to the kingdom.

However, I'm not sure this counts as ‘minor'.

I glance over at Cairo whispering with Nick, worry etched into his features. The man has had a crush on Paval since he stepped on campus, his concern for Paval's health much more than just looking out for one of the new fighters. Add in the fact that they kissed and I know Cairo is silently freaking out. My gaze dips to Paval stretched out on the gurney, his peaceful expression belying his current status.

Paval kissed Cairo? But why? And how the fuck did he get to the fights tonight? As far as I know, no one has ever mentioned them to him. He would have been all over me if he knew where I disappeared to most nights. I run my fingers through his messy hair, Paval letting out a full-bellied groan before his lids shoot open.

"Don't fucking scare me like that," I whisper, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on his lips.

"How is he?" Cairo asks, loud enough for us all to hear.

Nick sighs, moving toward Paval to help him sit up. "I don't have all the tools you'd get at a fucking hospital so I can't be sure it's not a concussion. We all saw how hard he took those hits to the head. He also just stood there. Had he stumbled back or fallen, he wouldn't have taken the full impact. Unfortunately, I think this is one of those times a hospital might be your safest bet."

Paval's not allowed to have a concussion. That doesn't work within my plans and I can't take on any extra issues at the moment. Paval looks between the three of us, a frown sitting on his lips. "'M fine."

I hold back a laugh, shaking my head. "You're not but you will be. What's the likelihood something will go wrong if we wait on the hospital?" His emergency contacts are his fathers and I don't need them knowing what I get up to in my spare time. Fuck, this is messy.

Nick moves closer, stealing Paval's attention as he runs through a few tests, nodding when each one is finished. He checks Paval's reaction, his ability to follow a pencil with his eyes, and a few other things I don't quite understand before stepping back. "His basic cognitive functions seem to be okay but without all the fancy imaging software, I couldn't tell you for sure. He's already passed out once which is a concern in and of itself. We can cart him to my car and drop him off at the hospital in less than an hour."

We should and I'm leaning toward it when Paval mildly shakes his head and then hisses. "No hospitals. Absolutely not." His gaze darkens as he tries to push off the gurney, Cairo pressing a hand to his chest to keep him from doing so. I forgot about Paval's aversion to hospitals, clinics, and anything else of the sort. One of his fathers nearly died and having to see all the wires and tubes hooked up to Dmitri has left Paval a little worse for wear.

Still, if Paval does have a concussion, letting any of the symptoms fester could be a detriment to his health.

"Pav, you need more help than Nick can give."

"No hospitals."

Nick sighs. "As a budding medical professional, he needs a fucking hospital and real doctors. As a friend who understands all of this shit, Cairo has some of the harder drugs that will make the pain go away. Don't look at me like that, Cairo. I know you used to get your hands in a few other pots. Keep him under watch for at least 24 hours. No extra excitement. At all." He snorts, looking at Paval again. "I know you took some hard hits but fuck, Heath wasn't here too long ago and I sent his ass to urgent care. I would not want to be on the other side of your fists, Paval."

I completely agree. Paval's rage in that ring was unmatched but I also could see how much he enjoyed it, how much he needed a way to unleash his demons. Paval tries to stand again, Cairo growling in his face. It's funny to watch their dynamic, Paval confused as his head tilts, trying to understand the soun. Cairo's having the time of his life being in Paval's space but I can't read my other man. It probably doesn't help that he's still a bit unstable at the moment.

Nick drags over a wheelchair. "Take him back to one of your rooms. He needs silence and all of that chaos from his frat is going to fuck with his head. If anything changes—his movements, eye tracking, sleeping, passing out— anything , you need to go to the fucking hospital. I don't care how tough the Kolas kid is, he can't beat an actual medical emergency."

We help Paval into the chair, even as he tries to tell us he can walk. I ask for just a moment, Cairo trailing after me out of earshot of the other two. "We have to take him to your apartment, Cairo. I don't trust Paula for a fucking second but I also haven't confronted her yet, either." He chuckles, moving to engulf me in his arms. We stay like that for a few seconds, the warmth of his chest giving me a little bit of hope. "Paval kissed you," I suddenly blurt out.

Cairo laughs, releasing me. "He did and it was fucking amazing but it doesn't mean anything to him. He did it because I was staring too long at his lips." The tortured look in his eyes tells me that Cairo is going to obsess over that kiss for days before he lets it go. "Let's get Paval into the house and then we can figure everything else out. You're welcome to stay because I'm not sure how comfortable he'll be with just me."

And there it is. The insecurities that always pop up. He's worth more than he gives himself credit for. "He would be fine with just you but I'll stay because I'm worried."

"And because of Paula. Please take the twins with you when you do confront her."

I nod and step back into the room, smiling down at Paval as he gives me a sloppy grin. We thank Nick and wheel Paval through the courtyard, the fresh night air doing little to calm my anxiety. This campus is one of a kind, a haven for those with an extra few dollars or connections. My first four years here were on scholarship but the law degree was on my own merit and I've had to struggle ever since.

However, with so many silver-spooned students here, there seems to be a lack of awareness from the administration and professors. Or they just willingly turn a blind eye so that the students' families continue to fund the university. Either way, walking through the courtyard late at night or early in the morning—there are very few out here. No guards, no cameras, and no one other than students waltzing around.

Which means that my mother could so very easily slip onto campus and find me.

The lack of security has always been what I needed to conduct my business but now it might very well be my downfall.

I try to ignore the issue as we enter Cairo's apartment at the edge of campus, a building afforded to some of the richer students who want complete privacy. By the time we get Paval situated on the couch, I'm strung out, my body shaking from the overwhelming news continually coming my way.

"Hey, babe. Cairo's going to get you some meds, alright?" I kneel beside him, loving the way he sifts his fingers into my hair. His touch is stronger than it was earlier which I take to be a good sign. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a truck."

His words aren't as slurred as he struggles to sit up, those deep brown eyes focused on me. They run across my face and then dip lower, his brows furrowing until I realize what he wants. I stand and then slowly spin, holding my hands out so he can see all of me. "I'm okay, Pav. I had both of my beautiful protectors with me all night."

He seems content with that.