“WHY RUBBER bullets?” Gianni asked Xavvy. “What was up with that? Cartel doesn’t care.”
“That was just stupid luck, man. There were a couple of riot guns in the back.”
“The back of the bar?” He blinked. “How the hell did that happen?”
“One of the bartenders used to be a riot cop. Got fired for misconduct.” Xavvy snorted. “Probably for missing weapons.”
Whatever the reason, Gianni was actually grateful. They’d gone in and wired Bonner back together. If they’d been using live ammo with him….
“The enforcers—I never met either one of them. I’m assuming they came last night—they went for Chris, left him for dead, then came for you and Jerilyn.”
“Okay, so we figure out who they were and we might have a shot at the big guys. They’re still being processed?”
“Rangers have their bodies. Really, did y’all have to kill them both?”
“The guy was trying to kill me, man. Not kidnap me. Which is weird, because….” He trailed off. No, the others had been kidnapped, not killed, thanks to Xavvy, who could only be in so many places at once.
“Maybe they wanted to get rid of y’all, get uninterrupted access while things were getting settled?”
“Maybe. I think wires got crossed.” Gianni felt itchy. He hated unfinished business, but half his team was under medical advisement, the town was crawling with Rangers, DEA, and FBI, and he was worried about both his lover and one of his best friends. At some point he had totally lost control of things. Totally.
He was gonna end up riding a desk somewhere in an East Bum Fuck division office. That wasn’t going to work for him. At all.
“I need everything they find out as soon as they have it, Colt.” Xavvy looked at him as if he’d lost his mind, and he chuckled. “Colt is always listening, Xav.”
In fact, he’d be surprised if Colt had slept at all since the attack.
“Damn, man. Doesn’t that freak you out?”
“No.” Gianni smiled. “He’s got my back. He’s had it a long time.”
“Your back and everything else, I guess. Lucky.” Xavvy sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “I’m heading back to the hospital.”
“Xavvy, I need you to do some debriefing with Tom.” Xavvy knew intel that they needed.
“Let me go see him. Then I’ll do anything you want.”
He stared Xavvy right in the eye. “Okay, but I need that debriefing.”
“I know. I’ll check in on your boy too.” Xavvy winked before leaving him.
His boy. Right. He wasn’t sure Bonner was going to talk to him again. He’d stayed an endless night in the hospital, but this morning Bonner had politely asked him to get that surgeon and didn’t he want to go home?
Now Bonner was… well, he was guessing in recovery. He didn’t know. Shit.
His phone rang, Mason’s name coming up.
“He’s waking up and hurting bad, Cesare. Asking for you. You coming?”
“Yeah. I’ll be right there.” He didn’t know if Mason meant Chris or Bonner, but he was moving before he asked. “What’s the situation?”
“The sheriff is critical but stable. He’ll have some rehab, but he is awake and he has spoken. Your foreman is out of surgery and in a lot of pain. Dr. Cox says he’s a miracle man.”
“How are you?” He stepped into real shoes before heading out the back door, keys in hand. Xavvy was long gone, of course. Bastard.
“Oh, this is my job. Colt have a psychotic break yet?”
“Pretty much. He’s not sleeping. Maybe you ought to talk to him, Mason.” They had history, right?
“Maybe. I’ll see. He’s sort of fun in total meltdown.”
“You’re a sick man.” And he was glad Colt couldn’t hear them.
“You have no idea, Cesare. Zero.”
“I’m not sure I want one. I’ll be there in a few.” Both awake and aware. Grazie a Dio.
Awake, aware, and asking for him.
Hallelujah. He headed to the hospital, feeling better every second. He hit the hands-free, calling Jerilyn.
“Yo, kiddo. You finished destroying the world in the name of being drug free?”
“No. Your corner? Probably.”
“Oh good. Still, I think we’re going to hang out here. There’s room and a good hospital for the babies.”
“Seriously?” Gianni blinked. “I guess I thought y’all would come back here.”
“Well, in a week, yes, but I don’t think Bri’s going to make it. The stress, you know?”
“Oh? Oh! Crap. Do you need me?” Say no. Please say no.
“No. Work on your case and get her brother on the road to recovery.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m heading to see him now. I’ll call in a few hours.”
“Okay. Love you, kiddo.” She hung up, and Gianni tried not to be insulted. She hadn’t even asked about him. He rolled his eyes. She was such a Texan. Babies first.
He stopped at Whataburger, then pulled into the medical center parking lot. He could at least feed Mason, Xavvy, and him.
Anyone else who happened to be there would get fed as well. He’d bought the whole joint. Gianni laughed when he hefted the bag—eating his feelings?
He texted Mason for a floor number, heading toward the elevator banks.
501 for Bonner.
Chris was probably still in ICU or something.
Brought you food.
Meet you in the waiting area. No food in Bonner’s room.
Bummer. Poor Bonner. He would share with Mason, though. And… Greg and Harrison, who also met him there. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey.” Harrison liberated half the bags. “He’s drugged to the gills, and they say no puking. Bonner, that is.”
“Well, I can see that. He’s all cracked like Humpty Dumpty.” He sat on one of the tiny couches. “I got enough for all.”
“You rock. What’s the sitrep?” Greg sat. “I’ll stay while you’re here. Back you up in case.”
“Thanks, man. Xavvy thinks we can get to the top through the enforcers killed at the house.” Mmm. Bacon double.
“Good deal. Jerilyn okay?”
“Having a ball in Dallas. Doesn’t care about me at all.” He winked to ease the real angst there.
“Buying baby clothes, is she?” Mason grinned over.
“Yeah. Better hospital, she says. Better place for the babies.” He rolled his eyes. “God help poor Bri.”
“Kid needs family to help her, huh?” Logic, thy name was Harrison.
“She does. I don’t begrudge that at all.” He waved a hand. “I’m just feeling sorry for myself.”
“Burger helps with that. Eat up.” Mason gave him a sharp look. “Did you ever get looked at?”
“Mmm.” Dammit. “EMS.”
“Fucking liar.” Mason stood up, grabbed his chin, and looked at his eyes.
“Hey!” He sucked a bit of bacon into his mouth. “Eating!”
“Uh-huh.” Mason poked at his cheek, at his head. “Anything else hurt?”
“No. Ow!” When Mason pressed a swelling at the outside of his eye, sharp pain hit him, enough to make him gag.
“Hmm. You got a hell of a hematoma.”
“Yeah. That smarted.” He pulled back; he didn’t intend to lose his lunch. “Stop poking.”
“You need it X-rayed.”
“I’ve been hit in the face a lot.” Especially lately.
“You might have a cracked orbital bone.” Mason scowled at him, which was pretty formidable. Vaguely hot in a serial killer sort of way.
“So? You going to cast it?”
“No, but I’d like to get that X-ray.”
Gianni sighed. “Not now, man. After I see Bonner.”
“Fair enough. I just want it recorded.” Mason winked. “I’ll get you medical time off with your boy.”
“Oh, I like it. So much power.”
“Yep.” Okay, that was a little creepy.
“So… I’ll see you in a bit, then.” He finished up his burger and fries. “Y’all want to save me anything, cool. If not, disperse it, huh?”
“Don’t be a turd,” Greg said. “I’ll be watching it.”
“Yeah, I got enough if someone else shows, though.” He winked, grimacing when it pulled his cheek. He probably did need X-rays. Mason was scary.
Gianni moved into Bonner’s room, which was right by the nurse’s station. “Hey, caro. How are you feeling?”
“H-hey. Not so good.” Bonner’s face was pale as milk.
“Hurting pretty bad, huh?” Again, he dragged a chair around so Bonner didn’t have to strain to see him.
“Uh-huh. Feels like I been beat to death.”
“Worse than getting stomped by a bull?”
“Uh-huh.” Those blue eyes narrowed. “You got a broke eye socket, Gianni. You need to ice it and be real careful.”
“You and Mason,” Gianni teased.
“Been there. Don’t want to fuck it up. That’s bad. You okay, honey?”
Honey. A part of him just wanted to pump his fists in the air.
“Nope.” Gianni leaned his elbows on his knees. “I fucked up, Bonner, and got a lot of people hurt.”
“What happened? Who all was that, that night?”
“Drug dealers. A mix of members of a biker gang and a lower-level cartel.” His chest clenched. “Thank God some ex-cop had riot guns with rubber bullets.”
“Cartel? Are they all gone? Is Bri okay? Was Snake… one of them?”
“Snake was a low-grade delivery boy. Bri is great. She and Aunt Jerilyn are in Dallas with a flotilla of guards, shopping for the babies.” He wasn’t gonna tell Bonner that Jerilyn thought the twins were arriving soon.
“Oh. That’s nice of her. I… I’ll pay her back.”
“Caro, you’ll offer, and she’ll threaten to beat you while being secretly pleased.” He snorted. “The bad guys are mostly gone. We still have to identify the leaders, but I would bet they scatter and take up business elsewhere.”
“That’s got to be so frustrating for you.” Bonner blinked at him. “I guess I’m fired, huh?”
“Not a bit.” Gianni had no idea what to do about all that, but he would talk to Bonner later. “I want you to come stay at the house while you recover.”
“For real? I was… I got nowhere, and my truck is a rough sleep.”
“I mean it. For more than one reason. I have plenty of room, and a hot tub and pool for when you need physio. I’m on mandatory medical leave for a bit, so we can play cribbage or something.” Gianni held his breath for a little. “I like backgammon too. Lots.”
Bonner actually smiled at him. “Oh man. I do love a good backgammon session.”
“Mason says the surgery went well.” He grinned now, relieved.
“Don’t feel like it yet.”
“No, I googled it last night. They say it will hurt way worse for a few days, but heal way quicker. Mason says your surgeon is exceptional.”
“Yeah.” Bonner stared at him, and Gianni wasn’t sure there was any focusing going on in there. “I need a drink. Please.”
“Sure.” He got the pink hospital cup with the straw. “Here.” He held it up for Bonner to get a few sips. “I’ll get you burgers when you’re allowed to go home.”
“They say couple days, if the lungs cooperate.”
“Good. You say the word, and I’ll come get you.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“You have it, caro. I swear.” He reached out to hold Bonner’s hand a moment.
“Thanks.” Bonner squeezed his fingers. “I’m glad I saw him. I’m glad I could warn you.”
“So am I. He was planning to kill me, not just wound. I’m sorry you got hurt.” He hated it, in fact.
“Me too. Still, I’m just the civilian, right?” Bonner’s eyes closed. “You have to think I’m about worthless.”
“Bonner, you’ve never been just anything. I have no idea what to do about you, but I sure want to do something.”
“We’ll have to worry about it later, when I’m not pondering death, honey.”
“No dying allowed.” He stroked Bonner’s hand with his thumb. “I hear you stabbed someone with a screwdriver.”
“I did. Right in the leg. Never did that before.”
“No? I’ve never used a screwdriver.” Gianni inhaled deeply, trying not to get all upset again over his monumental screw up.
“It’s not as hard as you’d think. Either that or I was all ‘grr arrgh Hulk smash.’ That could happen.”
“Could be. Everyone is grateful, caro. From Xavvy to Alison.” He had to go see Chris too, but he would bet Chris was pretty grateful.
“Yeah.” Bonner was fading, breath coming in harsh pants. “I’m on her shit list a little.”
“Do you need more medicine, Bonner?” He would call the nurse. Unless there was a drip. He checked the IV stand. “Where’s the button for the morphine drip?”
“Green one. It’s the green one. Fuck.”
“Got it.” He found it, and Bonner had an available dose, so he pushed it through. “Just breathe, caro. Just breathe. It’s coming down the wire.”
“Don’t tell no one how bad it is.” Bonner stared at him, eyes rolling.
“I won’t. Rest. It will get better soon.” He knew it would, but Bonner just looked to be hurting so bad.
“Stay just a second more?”
“I’ll stay until you’re asleep. I have to go see Chris then, but I’ll come back.” He pressed a kiss to Bonner’s head before sitting back in his chair.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” Bonner was barely there.
“Shhh. I got you, caro. My brave one.”
“Yours.” Bonner sighed softly, moaning deep in his chest.
“Mmm.” That would be amazing. He just hummed a little, watching Bonner relax, muscle by muscle. “Sweet cowboy. There you go. I have you.”
“Mmm-hmm. Nigh’.”
He chuckled. Not even close to night, he didn’t think. Not unless he’d lost hours of time in some weird sci-fi type thing. Gianni waited long enough to make sure Bonner was deep in the arms of morphine, then headed out to find out where Chris was hidden.
Chris was in ICU, but was awake, blinking slow, but awake.
“Hey, buddy.” Gianni sat, making sure Chris was focused on him. “How’s it going?” Christ, Chris wore a huge bandage, and there was shaved hair and Betadine stains.
“Sore.” Chris stared at him. “Sorry. Sorry, man.”
“Hey. Stand down. We all got hit hard.” Gianni pointed to his face. “Xavvy’s blown. He’s back in the fold. You see him any of the times he’s stopped by?”
“Jus’ left. Says he’s staying with me.”
“Yeah? You’re both welcome to come stay at the big house while you recover. Maria will plotz at having so many people to take care of.”
“Did you just say plotz?”
“I did. I love that word. Someone to cook and clean, and other people to entertain Xavvy.” No fistfights during recovery, damn it.
“Yeah. Yeah. You look like you got hit in the face.”
“I did. Few times.” He chuckled. “Bonner had to have surgery too. Broke his back.”
“Damn. Xavvy says he’s a little stud.”
“He is.” He chuckled softly, shook his head. “Xavvy carried you out in a blanket, man.”
“Did he? He didn’t say that.”
“He did. Rolled you like a burrito. He convinced them you and Bonner were dead. The escape didn’t work like he planned, but he had the right idea.” He paused. “This sucks, man.”
“No shit. I hate it. I hate when good folks get hurt.”
“Me too. You took the brunt. On the good side, your undersheriff really stepped up.”
“Good, ’cause I quit.” On that, Chris sounded so sure.
“Yeah? Well, I can see that.” He could. And if and when Chris recovered enough, Gianni would offer him a job.
“Yeah.” Chris’s eyes drooped. “Bet you’re ready to get out of here.”
“I’m okay, but if you need to sleep, kick me out.” He would go sit with Bonner after he had another burger. “I just wanted to see you.”
“I meant Texas.”
“Nope. Having a ball.” He felt a little at loose ends, but he wasn’t hating the hot and cold running Whataburger. The Red Dirt music.
The Stetsons on the dashboard.
Bonner.
His heart stuttered a little. Yeah. Bonner was a quandary. He wanted to get to know the guy. There was a lot to like there, aside from the obvious. He wanted to… he wanted to protect Bonner, learn all his ins and outs. Maybe more.
So…. He glanced at Chris, who’d fallen asleep. He crept out of the room, only to find Xavvy in the waiting room.
“They only let one of us in at a time,” Xav said.
“Yeah. You find the others and get food?”
“I did. Thanks. It’s my turn. He sleeping?”
“Yeah. He was in and out, but I was tickled with how lucid he was.” Gianni studied Xavvy. “You need sleep. I told Chris. You’re both welcome to stay at my place while he recovers.”
“Yeah? It would be easier to help him there. I’ll leave when he does.”
“Xavvy…,” he warned.
“I said, I’ll leave when he does.”
“At least come have a shower every so often.”
“There’s a hotel a block over. I have a room there.”
Gianni rolled his eyes. “Okay. Keep me in the loop.”
“I will. You sure there’s a place—”
“Xavvy.” He was more than sure.
“Okay. Sure.”
Gianni clapped him on the arm. “There’s even an elevator hidden in the back of the house if you don’t feel like you can cope with Massimo’s master bedroom downstairs.”
“Like your folks aren’t going to show up. You just had a massacre on their ranch.”
“Mine.”
“What?”
“It’s mine. I inherited it when I turned twenty-one.” And wasn’t he suddenly proud of that? What was going on with him?
“No shit. They’ll still come. An elevator?” Xavvy caught up late.
“Massimo put it in when Nonna wanted to come see the ranch.”
“That’s cool. You keeping Bonner too?”
“As long as I can.” He had no idea what to do. Gianni had never had a lover and then…. What? Almost gotten him killed? And he wasn’t a homebody. He’d see Bonner on the seven seconds he had between undercover gigs?
Gianni sighed. Right. Now wasn’t the time for ruminating on that.
“Man, you need to cheer up, Boyardee. I miss your normal sarcastic self.”
“Shut up. I was just considering my future.”
“Driving a desk because you’re old?” Xavvy looked too amused for his own well-being.
“Yeah. More like driving a desk because last time I got shot, and this time I got other people shot.”
“There are worse things. Shit, you could form one hell of a freelance team with the guys you got now.”
That was a thought. Private security. Retrievals…. Huh. “I’ll see what happens after I talk to Tom.”
“Come on. Sit with me. Just because we can.”
“Sure.” He plopped down on a chair. “What’s on your mind?”
Xavvy shrugged. “Just sitting seems like a bit of a luxury these days.”
“It does. If I’m sitting, I’m wolfing down food or doing paperwork.” He studied the yellow bruises on Xavvy’s face. “How are your kidneys?”
“It’ll take a while for them to be back to normal, you know? I don’t think normal is a thing, buddy. I think I lost normal in the sand.”
“I hear you. I can’t seem to fucking figure out what to do. I mean, everyone’s all fucked-up.” Jesus, was he whining? He was fairly sure he was whining.
“Well, I’ll be pissing blood for a few more weeks.” Xavvy leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Look, man, you got to get it together. I’ll give you a few days, but then I’ll kick your ass.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
“Good. You’re the fucking boss. Act like it.”
“Fuck off, Xavvy.” He bit out the words, which immediately made Xavier smile.
“Better.”
“Jesus. Okay, I’ll dig deep. What do you need? Do I need to send Tom here for the debrief?”
“No, Colt got us a secure line. It’s done.” Xavvy looked too pleased for words. Asshole.
“Good. What about at the hotel? Groceries? Clothes?”
“I’m going to grab some stuff from Mom’s and bring it over.”
“Okay, well, holler if you need anything. God knows I have people who can deliver.”
“Yeah.” Xavvy looked toward the ICU like he could see Chris through the door. “He looks pretty good, doesn’t he?”
Gianni nodded, even though he privately thought Chris’s poor head looked like mashed potatoes. “Has someone contacted his folks?”
“I did. I encouraged them to stay in Mexico. I’ve got this.”
“Okay. Well, don’t be surprised if they show up, as well as mine.” He winked. “Man, we would never have thought we’d end up here in high school.”
“No. No, I never intended to come back here at all, and I sure didn’t see you as lord of the manor.”
“Right? I never saw you as a greasy biker.” They both cracked up, and if it had an edge of hysteria, no one was saying.
“Yeah. I need about a month in hot water, man.”
“Oh, dude. I have a hot tub. You should come on once they move Chris to a real room. Just for an hour.”
The look of longing on Xavvy’s face was sad and stunning, all at once.
“Promise me you’ll come on.” Gianni pushed because he wanted Xav to feel better.
“Yeah, once I know he’s safe.”
“One of the guys will come over and sit with him when you do. Just in case.”
“Yeah. I don’t want to risk him.”
“Me either, buddy. I can’t thank you two enough. I think we might have something with one of the dead bodies.” Colt was texting him information by the ten-minute increment.
“Good. I hope you burn these bastards to the ground.”
“Me too, Xavvy. Me too. Okay. I want to stop and see Bonner again before I go have a meeting with Colt.”
“Fair enough. I’ll be here. You holler if you need me.”
“I will.”
Xavier stood with him, so Gianni hugged the guy hard.
“This isn’t your fault, Boyardee.”
“My team. My responsibility.” He patted that wide chest. “Call me if you need me. Goes both ways.”
“My Chris. My responsibility.”
“You kiss him, and he hits you. You have to remember he has a hole in his head.” Gianni winked. “Later, man.” If he stood there, he’d never leave. Xavvy reminded him too much of him right now.
Bonner was sleeping and hurting, tears streaking his cheeks. Poor baby.
He checked to see if Bonner could have more drip. The guy was just miserable. He pushed the button, sitting and waiting for it to help.
When he saw Bonner relax finally, he figured he needed to head back to the house. Gianni rose, then bent to kiss the top of Bonner’s head. “Sleep well, caro.”
“Gianni.” The single word was barely whispered.
“You need me to stay, Bonner?” He hated that Bonner was hurting.
“You got to watch out….”
“No, baby. I’m right here with you. We’re both safe.”
“I think a horse stepped on me. I think I’m hurt.”
“No, Bonner. Someone kidnapped you. Do you remember?” Morphine was a strange duck. It could make a man muddy as hell.
Bonner moaned softly. “I’m… I don’t know.”
“Shh.” He tugged that chair right up close. “I’m right here. Let the pain meds help, baby.”
“Did the man hurt you? I tried to get to you, but… I don’t think I made it.” Bonner was muttering, caught between dreams and drugs.
“I’m fine. Sore, but fine.” He just talked in a low voice until Bonner fell asleep-asleep again. Then he headed out to the nurse’s station. “Hey. Is there anything you can do for 501?”
The nurse raised her head, her eyes widening when she saw him. “Boyardee?”
“Holy shit. Deena Murphy?” She looked… well, older. Not old, just much different. He’d adored her back in school.
“Deena Gibbon now, but yes. What the hell? I didn’t know you were in town.”
“Yeah. Been playing lord and master at the ranch. We had an attempted kidnapping. Me.” He pointed to his face. “Bonner is my foreman. He helped save my life. Room 501, I mean. He’s hurting bad.”
“The doctor has a muscle relaxant in his chart. I’ll have his nurse go in and give it to him.”
“Thanks, hon. Man, we should have coffee. You can tell me all.”
“Only if you tell me about kidnappings and life in Italy.”
“Done. I’ll be back to see him tomorrow.” And every day until they sent Bonner home to him.
“I’ll keep an eye on him. Tonight will be rough.”
“Call me if he needs someone to come sit.” When she raised a brow, he grinned. “I haven’t changed a bit, Deena.”
“Good to know. Are you on his list?”
“Shit or can call?” he teased. “I am, yeah.”
“Good deal. I’ll let you know. He’ll be fine. It just hurts.” She rolled her eyes. “Just hurts.”
“Okay. I have a billion things to take care of at the ranch, but I want him to have whatever he needs.”
“So imperious.” She grabbed her duty phone to call Bonner’s nurse. “I’ll come in at five thirty tomorrow. I want a foot-long classic Italian.”
Gianni barked out a laugh. “You got it.”
“Good man. Go home, Boyardee.”
“I will.” And he’d avoided Mason and his X-rays. Score. At least until he headed to the elevator and he got the text.
Meet me in radiology.
Fuck. Him.