If The Seas Catch Fire(128)

Sergei closed his eyes. “What the hell happened?”

“What’s the last thing you remember?”

Sergei thought for a moment, his throbbing brain struggling to make sense of anything prior to the last few minutes. “Don’t know. Ask me again when I’m not on so many drugs.”

“Fair enough.” Dom pulled up a chair and sat beside him, resting his hand on Sergei’s forearm. “We wrecked, and I guess right before that, one of the f*ckers got a shot in.” He squeezed Sergei’s arm. “As soon as I saw that bullet hole…” He swallowed hard.

“What about Felice?” Sergei moistened his lips. “What happened to him?”

“He’s dead. Apparently we missed a hell of a shootout down at the marina. The Cusimanos showed up, and I guess Felice got a call out to some of his crew.”

“That must’ve been a mess.”

Dom nodded. “Six Cusimanos and five Maisanos dead. The cops came in and collected everyone who was left.”

Sergei exhaled slowly, letting the truth sink in. It was over. Really over. “What about you? Are you okay?”

Dom smiled. “I was wearing a seatbelt.”

“Didn’t want to f*ck up my aim.”

“Well, it must’ve paid off—you hit the driver, and that was that. They held the road for a few seconds, but then wiped out. All three guys in the car were dead.”

“Good.” Sergei winced as he tried in vain to get comfortable. “How the hell did we wreck, then?”

“When the driver lost control, he hit my back end.” Dom shrugged apologetically. “At that speed, on a winding road…”

Sergei looked him up and down. “So you didn’t get hurt? You’re obviously okay now, but were—”

“The airbag punched me in the face, and I was walking pretty slowly for a few days.”

“A few—” Sergei blinked. “How long has it been?”

“A week.”

“I’ve been out cold for a week?”

“Not quite. Heavily sedated and hopped up on painkillers.” Dom smiled, running his thumb along Sergei’s hand. “You’ve actually been awake more than you think.”

“I don’t remember anything.”

Dom shook his head. “You’re not supposed to. They kept you drugged so you wouldn’t be in as much pain, and so you wouldn’t tear out your IV again.”

“Again?” Sergei looked at his hand, and realized there were a number of bruises along the veins. Ditto with his other hand.

“Let’s just say you’re not the most compliant patient in the world.” Dom patted his arm gently. “But you made it.”

“And you were here? The whole time?”

“As much as they’d let me.” Dom frowned. “Dr. Rojas pulled some strings so I could stay with you in the ICU, but once they moved you down here, that * doc in charge didn’t want me underfoot all the time.” He gestured over his shoulder. “I’ve been staying down the road at one of the motels we used to use.”

Sergei blinked. “You… even with the investigation going on? You should be as far from here as possible.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Dom squeezed his shoulder. “But I wasn’t leaving you behind. I couldn’t leave you here any more than I could’ve left you out there on the road.” He leaned down again and kissed him softly. “As soon as you’re back on your feet, though, we’re out of here.”

“The doctor said it might take a while.”

“I know.” Dom pressed another soft kiss to Sergei’s cheek. “But I’m not going anywhere until you do.”

Sergei reached up and touched Dom’s face. “Thank you.”

Dom smiled. He smoothed Sergei’s hair and whispered, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

It was over. Once Sergei’s body recovered, they’d leave, and it would be well and truly over.

And for the first time since he was eight years old, Sergei could know peace.





Epilogue


A few months later



“I don’t need a f*cking painkiller,” Sergei muttered.

“Just take one.” Dom took his hand on the wide armrest between them. “It wouldn’t hurt you to sleep.”

“It’s a long flight. I’m sure I’ll pass out sooner or later.”

“Suit yourself. They’re in my bag if you need them.”

Sergei nodded.

The plane pulled away from the gate, and as it taxied, Dom’s heart sped up, but he took a few slow, easy breaths to calm himself down. He’d never been a fan of flying. As the plane’s front end lifted up, though, and the noise of tires on asphalt gave way to the whine of the engines, he exhaled.

“Maybe you should be taking something,” Sergei teased.

Dom eyed him.

Sergei snickered, squeezing his hand. “Just take one.” He batted his eyes. “It wouldn’t hurt you to sleep.”

“Very funny. At what point are you healed enough that I can elbow you when you’re being a pain in the ass?”

“Don’t know.” Sergei winked. “I’ll let you know when I get there.”