with the fainting.
“Don’t worry, Doctor. He’s going to be following your instructions to the letter.”
Gio peered at his brother.
“Because I’ll be giving a copy of this,” Laz said, holding up all the paperwork the doctor had given him, “to my boyfriend, who happens to be a former Green Beret and medic, and another copy to his boyfriend, also a former Green Beret.”
The doctor blinked at Laz before letting out a hearty laugh. He turned to Gio with a smile. “Well then, Mr. Galanos, I expect your doctor is going to see a good deal of improvement on your follow-up visit.” They exchanged a few more pleasantries before the doctor left to arrange Gio’s discharge.
“Do you want me to call in Colton? Who are you going home with tonight?”
Gio cleared his throat. “I was thinking of actually sleeping in my bed tonight.” Reading between the lines, Laz nodded.
“You think he’ll agree?”
“I think so. If not, I promise I’ll call Colton.”
“Okay.” Laz hugged him. “If you need anything at all, you call me.”
“Absolutely.”
With one more hug, Laz left the room, and a heartbeat later, Sacha stepped inside. “How did it go?”
“He was disappointed in me, naturally, but we talked it through. I should have confided in him long ago, but I was still seeing him as that scared little boy he’d once been.”
“Yeah, he’s less scared and a little more scary these days,” Sacha said with a smile as he took a seat next to Gio’s bedside. “He somewhat forcefully informed me I’d be getting a copy of your paperwork.”
Gio laughed at that. “He’s rather commanding, isn’t he?”
“It’s always the quiet ones,” Sacha teased. “So, what’s the plan? We won’t be able to pick up your new medication tonight, but I can pick it up for you in the morning.”
“Thank you.” Gio met Sacha’s gaze. “Would you… come home with me tonight?”
Sacha didn’t hesitate. “Sure. I need to call Jack. Just to let him know, since he’s got Chip.”
“Do you think he’d mind dropping Chip off at mine?”
Sacha smiled warmly. “He’ll be fine with it.”
Not long after Gio was discharged, they stepped out into the waiting room, and Gio let out a shaky breath at the sight of all the Kings and their partners. They were all here… for him. Colton hurried over and brought Gio into a gentle hug.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” He pulled back and narrowed his eyes. “The only reason I’m not knocking some sense into you is that you just got discharged from the hospital. If you ever do anything like this again, Giovanni, I’m going to be very upset with you.”
Judging by the pointed look Colton gave him, Laz had brought Colton up to speed, and that was okay. If Laz hadn’t, Gio would have. As calm and collected as Colton appeared—not one fair hair out of place or one wrinkle in his navy Armani suit—Gio knew the truth. He’d scared Colton.
“I’m sorry I worried you,” Gio said.
Colton grumbled something unintelligible under his breath that made Gio chuckle. He smiled at Ace, who stepped forward.
“None of this suffer-in-silence lone-wolf bullshit anymore, got it? You’re family, and family looks after one another.”
The back of Gio’s eyes stung, and he blinked back the wetness, nodding his understanding.
“All right, let’s all go home,” King said, patting Gio’s shoulder as if to confirm Ace’s words.
Colton turned to Gio. “You coming with us?”
“No, um, I’m going home.”
Colton’s brows drew together until Gio motioned to Sacha, who was talking to Jack. Realization dawned, and Colton smiled knowingly. “Call if you need anything.”
“Will do. Thank you.” While Colton headed off, Gio searched the waiting area and found Saint standing serenely to one side. Even in the hospital waiting room, he was on the job, vigilant as he assessed everyone in the place. Gio headed over.
“Thank you for everything, Saint. I’m sorry for giving you a hard time earlier tonight. I know you were just doing your job.”
“Don’t worry about it. You were scared for him. I understand that, believe me. It wasn’t easy to do, but you’re my priority, and he understands that. Pretty sure he would kick my ass if I let anything happen to you.” Saint’s eyes widened. “He’s kinda scary for a little guy.”
“Don’t worry.” Gio patted Saint’s bicep. “I’ll protect you.”
Saint snorted and resumed his seat to wait for them. It couldn’t have been easy for him to walk away from Sacha, from that situation. It was a testament to Saint’s professionalism that he’d done what he had to,