Christian’s feature grow stonier.
The new guy chuckles, then turns it into a cough. He jerks his chin in my direction, "Good to have you back,fratello."
"Can’t say I share the sentiments,fratello." Christian glares at me.
"Another swear word, I take it?"
The other guy’s eyebrows shoot up. "You don’t speak Italian?"
"Not a word," I assure him.
"We’ll have to rectify that." His lips quirk.
"And you are—?"
"Michael," he holds out his hand.
"Axel," I murmur. "You’ll forgive me if I don’t shake your hand; trying to conserve energy here."
"As you should." He peers into my features. "That’s quite a brave thing you did back there, taking a bullet for Theresa."
"Can’t say I remember any of it."And good thing too, because taking a bullet for someone else? Nope, not something I’d do.
"The doc says it’s because of the bullet you took," Michael informs me. "While it didn’t hit anything vital, it was a shock to your system, which has resulted in some parts of your brain shutting down to protect you. It’s normal to be groggy and unsettled for some time as you recover from your coma."
"Are you siding with him on this?" Christian glares at Michael. "After everything he did to me and Aurora, you are giving him the benefit of the doubt."
"It’s the doctor’s diagnosis," Michael says mildly. "There’s no reason for him to lie, is there?’
"No reason to believe thisstronzowhen he says he doesn’t remember the events of what transpired, is there?" Christian shoots back.
"Chillax," I tip my chin in his direction, and even that motion sends vibrations of pain thudding through my head. "I wish I were lying, but this time, sadly, I speak the truth—a first for me, I assure you."
"At least, you are truthful about your lying." Michael’s lips curls.
"Got nothing to lose. In fact, it’s in my interest to tell the truth, considering I am not going anywhere for a while."
"Hmm," Michael strokes his chin, "what is the last thing you remember anyway?"
I narrow my gaze on him. "A phone call. I had a phone call for a new assignment and then," I shake my head, "nothing after that."
"How convenient," Christian scoffs, at the same time that Michael narrows his gaze on me.
"An assignment?" he asks. "What kind of assignment was it?"
"I don’t remember all the details." I shake my head. "I’m sure it will come back to me, but from what I recall, it was related to..." I squeeze the bridge of my nose, "related to tracking down you guys."
"You mean killing one of us? Namely, me?" Christian snorts.
"I was just obeying orders; it was nothing personal."
"Nothing personal?" Christian's features harden, "I almost died, youcarogna!"
"From what I can see, you’re still alive." I smirk.
His jaw tics, his nostril's flare, color smears his cheeks, and he reaches over and grabs the collar of my gown.
"Hey," Michael grips his shoulder, "let him go, Christian."