Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters #1)(23)

“He has a right to know.”

“And I’ll tell him myself.”

“After.”

“Yes. After. When I feel it’s time.” Vaughan pointed at his chest. “That’s my decision, not yours.”

“This is crazy.” His dad ran his hand over his messy hair. “I can’t believe this.”

Vaughan gripped Quick’s shoulders and pulled him into him. He felt his dad shake in his arms but he held him as tightly as he had earlier. “I’m gonna save him, Dad. Please. You gotta let me save him. I’m a healthy man. There’s no reason I can’t survive it.” They stayed in the embrace for a while before Vaughan finally pulled back. His heart broke for his dad. He could understand how much it was to digest. Hearing his friend was dying, then his son opting to donate an organ, it’s the biggest challenge they’d ever faced. But Vaughan was a man. He needed to accept that.

“Swear you won’t tell him. Promise me.”

He didn’t say a word.

Vaughan frowned, his blood felt like ice water in his veins. He was trying to control himself, but if his dad messed this up, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. “If you tell him, if you mess this up. I’ll never forgive you.” Vaughan turned and walked away. It was harsh, but reality. It may have been an exaggeration. But if Duke died, he’d definitely get as far away from Atlanta as he could. So where was that? Australia, Indonesia. There was no telling when he’d forgive his father or want to see him again.





Duke tried to turn to his other side and must have cried out at the pain that move caused, because he immediately felt a gentle hand on his cheek, a soothing deep murmur next to his ear. “Easy, sweetheart.”

Vaughan.

Duke tried to open his eyes, the lids heavy from the medication the doctor had pushed when he last checked on him. Insisting that Duke not lie there in excruciating pain. He knew it was his man… Oh goodness… he knew it was Vaughan. He couldn’t refer to him as his man; they wouldn’t have that. Never make it there. He felt moisture run down the side of his face but his eyes were still closed. “Vaughan,” he barely managed. His voice sounded horrible, like he had throat cancer along with all his other ailments.

“Yes. I’m here.” Softer purring and caresses to his face and his hair. The back of his head was very tender from the bruises and the concussion, but he’d welcome any of Vaughan’s touches. He could smell him; he was so close to him.

“What time is it?” Duke croaked.

“Very early. Like almost four.”

“Jesus,” Duke huffed. “You need to rest.”

“I need to be right here,” Vaughan argued gently. Duke could feel Vaughan’s body heat; feel his weight next to him. It felt like he was sitting on the side of his bed, leaning over him, careful not to put too much weight on him. Duke slowly lifted the arm that didn’t have a cast on it and laid his hand on Vaughan’s thigh, or so he presumed since his eyes remained shut. Gazing into those intense eyes would be his undoing. After a few seconds of silence or maybe he’d drifted off again, he felt Vaughan’s soft lips on his cheek, his eyelids, grazing over his temple. A warm gentle breath ghosted over Duke’s forehead as Vaughan moved to the other side, placing the most comforting, delicate kisses he’d ever felt in his life. Would ever feel. Duke felt his chest tighten painfully and he fought to control his emotions. His body shook and he knew Vaughan felt it because he responded quickly. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Calm down, Duke. I’m right here with you. I’ll always be here.”

Duke sighed tiredly. He needed more rest. Every time he thought of how fucking unfair everything was, he’d feel this tremendous weight on him, like a boulder pressing him into the uncomfortable bed he was confined to. Duke was exhausted again but he thought he might have been dreaming when he heard Vaughan’s beautiful voice assuring him that he was going to be okay. Vaughan swore he’d make everything okay. Oh, how he wished he could. It had to be a dream. Right? There was nothing anyone could do for him. He was going to die right here.

~~~~

When Duke woke again it was a lot brighter in his room, he could see the light through his lids. He smelled food and antiseptics. When he finally managed to open both eyes, he saw there was a lunch tray sitting on his table along with a couple bottles of water and what looked like a can of ginger ale. He knew he had to be hungry, he hadn’t eaten in quite a while, but the thought of food made him nauseous. Duke managed to push the button on his bed railing and raise his head. He must have had a visitor or two because there was a “Get Well” balloon tied to a slender vase of carnations and sitting on the windowsill was a plant with small white lilies emerging through the green leaves. There was white bow around the bottom of the pot. He could see there was a card but didn’t know who it was from.

His body was tight; muscles ached in every part of him. His arm throbbed and the constant thud in the back of his head had magnified exponentially. It must be time for more medication or something. He glanced up at the clock in his room and gasped. It was after noon. Had he been asleep that long? When did Vaughan leave? His memory was cloudy, had to be all the pain meds. Hey, maybe that was a pretty good idea. Stay doped up until it was time for him to check out. Sleep through his final days, because honestly, who wanted to watch them? He was just about to push his morphine drip when he heard a light tap on the door and it was simultaneously pushed open.