His voice is level, authoritative, and I can see how Mason kept them together after their parents died. It feels natural, coming from him, like Gabriel’s singing or his sexy energy or the way he moves like the world loves him.
The way he moved when he wasn’t hurt.
I take his hand in both of mine.Wow, I was useless. I was going to catch him by hisshirt?
Mason pats Gabriel’s face again. “Gabriel.”
“Ambulance?” Scott says, from behind Gabriel’s back.
“Maybe, if he doesn’t start talking.”
Gabriel blinks, clearly struggling to focus on Mason’s face. “What…” He blinks again. “Happened?”
“You were walking down the hall with Elise. Do you remember that?”
“Yes.” Gabriel wrinkles his nose. “Not really. I love her.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Who’s behind me?”
“It’s me, Mr. Hill.” Scott doesn’t move.
“Hey…” Gabriel narrows his eyes. It takes him a beat to place the voice. “Scott?”
“Yep.”
“Did I fall?”
Mason puts his other hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “I’d say you passed out, but you never closed your eyes.”
“Creepy.”
“Creepy as hell,” agrees Mason.
Helethis fear show at the hospital. This is objectively a scarier situation, since we’re surrounded by federal agents and not trained healthcare professionals, but Mason looks like he’s hanging out at brunch.
“Thing is.” Gabriel leans into Mason’s hands. I don’t think he’s aware of doing it. “My head hurts like an absolute motherfucker.” He singsabsolute motherfucker,and Scott stifles a laugh. “So bad.”
“Charlotte brought you your meds.” Mason’s almost singing, too. I’ve never heard him do that. “Did you hide them in the couch, asshole?”
“If it helps,” Gabriel sings. “I don’t regret it. Had to be at the top of my game.”
“Oh, you’re at the very top, Gabriel, no question about that. So.” Mason adjusts his position. “I noticed a few minutes back that you shouldn’t be on your feet until tomorrow at the earliest. Scott and I will help you out to the SUV.”
A frown from Gabriel. “You want me to drive?”
“Jesus fucking Christ.” Mason drops his head, then picks it back up and smiles at Gabriel. “You know what? I’ll get this one. Scott will stay here and liaise with the lawyers and the feds.”
“Scott?” Gabriel has apparently forgotten that Scott is the person he’s leaning against. “You can’t leave him here. He’s a driver.”
Scott snorts.
“He’s a combat-certified bodyguard.”
“And before that,” Scott adds. “I was a paralegal.”
The bewildered expression on Gabriel’s face would be funny if my emotions weren’t such a mess. “Why would you do that?” He poses the question softly, almost to himself. “Why would you want to be a paralegal? I can’t imagine.”
“Let’s get you up.” Mason moves around to Gabriel’s side and puts Gabriel’s right arm behind his neck. “Do you think you can stand if I help?”
“Mason.” The tone says Gabriel just remembered something. “Mase.”