\[Denali’s POV\]
I remain silent as Rosco leads me back to my bed and then gently coaxes me into it. Given his current mood, all I want to do is comfort him, but I’m not quite sure how. I wasn’t used to things like this, and I couldn’t stop the self-doubt that was beginning to arise. If I did attempt to have him talk to me about everything that was bothering him, would he reject me? I didn’t think I could handle it, not when things were progressing so well.
“You must be tired,” he finally says, breaking the silence. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”
“I’m not tired,” I admit.
Even if the pain medication I was being given through an IV was making me tired, I didn’t want to just go to sleep when Rosco was so upset.
“You’re lying,” he chuckles, running a hand along my cheek. “Would you like for me to sing you to sleep?”
“Sing?” I repeat, unable to fully say no to his request. “You can sing?”
“Ouch, mi reina,” he huffs, grabbing his heart in fake pain. “Do I look like someone who would be bad at anything?”
He wasn’t, but I wasn’t about to stroke his ego. However, I wouldn’t mind hearing the sound of his voice.
“Alright,” I announce, getting comfortable. “Go on.”
Smiling, he climbs up in bed beside me so I can snuggle close, resting my head on his chest so the sound of his heartbeat begins to relax me.
“Pequeño vete a dormir, descansa tus ojos y tu corazón. soñar dulces sueños de belleza y luz y cuando despiertes estaré aquí a tu lado. Buenas noches mi reina, dulces sueños.”
Rosco’s voice is surprisingly beautiful, and before I even realize it, I’m drifting off to sleep. The last thing I can feel is the brush of lips against the top of my head and arms pulling me into safety.
When I wake up the next morning, Rosco is still beside me with a laptop in his lap. He wears glasses, which makes him look even more handsome, and he seems to be in deep concentration on whatever it is that he is reading.
For a moment, I don’t move as I consider whether or not I should let him know I’m awake, but before I can make a decision, his gaze comes to rest on me.
“Keep staring at me like that, mi reina, and I’m going to jump you,” he rumbles, closing his computer.
Blushing, I try to ignore the yearning that is beginning to build since I know that we won’t be able to do anything right now, not when I was already hurting from my surgery the day before.
“Were you working?” I ask instead, changing the subject. “You looked pretty into whatever it was you were reading.”
“Just some issues with one of our newer properties,” he explains. “It’s been causing issues since the start, but it seems that their idiot of a gm has really fucked things up.”
Frowning, I consider his words as guilt begins to grow in me. If something this serious was going on, then the best thing for all would be Rosco going there personally to fix the issue, but since I was here and he was refusing to leave my side, he wouldn’t.
“You should go take care of things,” I urge, even though I’m sure he will argue with me. “It sounds like it is an urgent matter.”
"No." The word is stern, and a look of defiance begins to form on Rosco’s handsome face. “I will only leave when you are released.”
When I’m released... I was sure that the doctors would want to keep me for a few more days for observations to make sure that the surgery was successful. What if things got worse within that time? I couldn’t possibly allow that.
“I’m safe here." I try. “There are plenty of nurses and doctors to keep an eye on me. Plus, I don’t think anyone would plan an attack on a hospital. You should go.”
“No,” he repeats, narrowing his gaze. “I won’t. Not until…”
The rest of Rosco’s words are drowned out as his phone begins to ring. Letting out a growl of frustration, he looks down at the screen, and when he gets out of bed and heads into the hallway, I know that whoever is on the other end has something unpleasant to say. And when Rosco returns with a look of frustration on his face, I know I’m right.
“I’ve got to go,” he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “It seems that my father wants me to go to the property directly; otherwise, he will replace me.”
“Go,” I say, urging him. “You’ve dedicated your life to the business and the pack.”
“But what if..."
“I’ll be fine,” I beam. “Don’t worry.”
Growing quiet, I wait as Rosco fights an inner battle, and when he finally deflates, I know that he is going to do what needs to be done.
“An hour,” he says, moving forward and giving me a swift kiss. “I’ll only be gone for an hour.”
“Take your time,” I sigh. “Don’t rush things. You need to make sure they are thoroughly handled.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles before pressing his lips against mine once more. “Stay out of trouble. Charlie is on his way to keep an eye on you while I’m gone. Don’t give him hell.”
“I’m an adult, you know,” I point out, my annoyance spiking. “I don’t need someone to watch me.”
“Right now, you do,” Rosco counters. “It is clear that someone is out to get rid of you, and until they are found and dealt with, there is no fucking way I’m leaving you.”
At his words, a chill races down my spine, but I keep my expression light. Just to hear something like that being said about me left me afraid, but if I showed it, then Rosco definitely wouldn’t leave me.
“Then you need to quickly handle the issue,” I respond. “That way, you can come back to me.”
Nodding, Rosco gives me a final kiss, this one so deep that it rocks my soul, before getting up and making his way out of the room. Once I’m alone, I begin to relax into my bed while trying to calm the fear that has begun to bubble.
Taking a few breaths while ignoring the pain that shoots through my ribs, I remind myself that since I was in the hospital, nothing could possibly happen to me.
By the time I start to relax, two nurses that I don’t recognize come in and head toward me. They busy themselves switching out my IV fluids and checking my vitals, and as they step back to mark down everything they have checked, I start to feel dizzy.
“What?” I hiss, immediately realizing that something wasn’t right. “What did…”
“Just relax,” one of the nurses giggles, beginning to lift the transport bars on my bed. “Everything will be over soon enough.”