“Your friend is an asshole,” Dr. Kleinberg muttered as she carefully peeled Snow’s shirt off his arms.
“Yeah,” Snow said fondly, his gaze going back to Jude.
“I take it you’re dumping your no dating hospital staff rule?” she asked, glancing over at Jude.
“Definitely.”
She lifted one dark eyebrow, then grinned. “Oh, the gossip around here is about to get so good.”
He didn’t care. He knew exactly what he wanted and he was going to do everything he could to make sure he didn’t screw this up.
After his x-rays confirmed two broken ribs and new painkillers were racing wonderfully through his system, Snow was wheeled back to the private room. Just outside the door, Rowe leaned up against the wall as if it was the only thing keeping him upright. The man looked worn down to the nub. A thick red beard covered his cheeks and his hair was wild and curling, long overdue for a cut. The sight of him made it hard for Snow to draw a breath.
“How long you been lurking out here?” Snow asked after he told the nurse to leave him outside the room with Rowe.
“Just got here.” He lifted his bright green eyes. They were clearer than they had been when Snow last saw him. The pain was still there, but Snow wondered if the pain would linger in Rowe’s eyes for years to come.
“Rowe, I’m—”
“Don’t,” he snapped, cutting Snow off. “Don’t fucking say it because it’s not your fault.” Rowe pushed away from the wall and took the two steps needed to close the distance between them. With a heavy hand on Snow’s shoulder, Rowe squatted down so he could easily look the doctor in the eye. “I’m sorry I ever said what I did. I didn’t mean it. Mel’s…Mel wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have saved her.”
Snow didn’t even try to blink away the tears that instantly filled his eyes. “I would have done everything to save her. I loved Mel. Loved her so damn much. I…” Snow clenched his eyes shut, spilling tears down his cheeks as he drew in a ragged breath.
Rowe’s strong hand slid up his shoulder to cup the back of his neck. He pulled Snow forward a tiny bit so that their foreheads pressed together. “I know. You loved her and I love you too. You are my brother, my family always.”
“Always,” Snow repeated, taking an easier breath. He opened his eyes when Rowe pulled away. His friend still looked tired, but there was a peace to him, as if a little of the weight that had nearly buried him was lifted. “Are you better?”
“No,” Rowe admitted. He stood, his knees creaking as he straightened. “But I’m home and I have family who will help me get better.”
“Whatever it takes.”
“Besides…” Rowe slowly drawled. A ghost of a smile played on his lips and Snow could see a hint of the man he loved sparkle in his eyes. “I heard this fucking insane rumor that you’re dating. I say that blow-up dolls and your hand don’t count, but Ian says you’re dating a living, breathing guy. Any chance I can meet this saint properly now?”
Snow grinned, wiping away the last of the tears streaking his cheeks. “Any chance you’re going to play nice?”
Rowe snorted. “Never.”
“Then make yourself useful and push me in. I’ve been injured.”
Rowe shook his head, but he walked around the wheelchair. Rowe started to push him forward, but Snow suddenly held his hand, calling him to a stop as he remembered something critical.
“Before you got to my place, Gratton told me something.”
“What?”
Snow took as deep a breath as he dared with his injured lungs and closed his eyes against the memory. “Jagger called him back. Hired him to kill you, me, and Lucas. He planned to take Ian.”
Rowe grunted softly. “Gratton’s dead.”
“But Jagger’s not done.”
“No. Not if he wants us dead.”
“Why? Our paths haven’t crossed in years.”
“No idea,” Rowe said, starting to push Snow the rest of the way into the room. “We’ll tell Lucas and make a new plan. And when you’re healed, you’re going back into training with me and Lucas. You never should have got your ass handed to you.” To Snow’s surprise, Rowe pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “Plus, you gotta be able to protect your boy,” he added. He barely had time to consider Rowe’s words before Rowe opened the door and they were surrounded by their family.
Jude, dressed now, came to his wheelchair. Snow introduced them and was only a little saddened by Rowe’s stoic greeting. He missed the old, teasing ridiculous Rowe, but it was still too damn early. Of course, that thought was shoved aside when Jude’s mother discovered that Rowe was the one who saved both Snow and her son. Anna became a flurry of action, hugging Rowe and thanking him until he caught Rowe looking to Lucas for help.