Page 46 of Unbridled Fire
“I don’t think any facial bones are broken,” he said, his fingers gentle as he touched my face. “You’ll heal, but you’re going to have some serious black eyes. It will look really cool if you’re into that thing.”
“Bring it on,” I said, smiling through the pain.
“You’ll want to ice your eye for twenty minutes every two hours for three days,” Adrian continued. “After that, you can switch to a warm compress every few hours. That will increase circulation. And gentle facial massages will help too.”
“Got it.” I yawned as I settled into the comfortable couch. “Can I take a nap? I’m so tired.”
“Yes, but someone needs to observe you for the next few days, just in case. If you experience any slurring or severely blurry vision, contact me right away.”
“She can stay here—” Bianca said.
“She can stay with me,” Leo said, his arms crossed as he stood a few feet away. “I want her out of Brooklyn, and I can take care of her.”
“Your job, Leo,” I said, shaking my head on the pillow. “I don’t want to mess things up with your new boss.”
“I have a thousand sick days saved up at this point.” He smirked. “That’s what happens when you’re a workaholic who never takes a day off. Plus, Sonya is at my place. I didn’t want to leave her alone at your apartment.”
My eyes welled with tears. “You took in my cat who you’re extremely allergic to?”
He shrugged. “She needed to be taken care of until you returned.”
Bianca and Alexis both looked at each other, their expressions drowning in romantic sentiment. “Awwwww,” they said in unison.
“I think you’ll be a great caretaker, Leo,” Adrian said. “Please just text me if something changes so I can assess.”
“Can I go to your apartment and get you some clothes?” Bianca asked.
“Chris and I will go,” Michael said. “Tell us where to look and what to grab.”
“Excuse me, but I’m going with you,” Bianca said, raising a finger. “You two have no idea what a woman needs. Katia, just text me a list of things to pack and where they’re located, and I’ll take care of it.”
Chris shot Michael a look that said, Are you going to let her boss you around like that?
Michael’s expression was droll, as if he’d accepted his fate. “Fine. Bianca, Chris and I will go.”
“I need an hour to get things squared away at work and transfer some tasks to my fellow agents,” Leo said. “Is there a place I can make some calls?”
“You can use my office,” Alexis said, waving him toward the door. “Come on.”
“Katia, you should take a cat nap while they’re squaring things away,” Adrian said, rising. “Feel better, okay?”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Leo gave me my phone, and I texted Bianca a list of things to grab at my place. Alexis promised to sit with me as I slept, and I took a moment to marvel at the network of people who surrounded me. It was evident they cared for me, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. As a child of drug addicts and a sister who got ripped away too young, close family was something I’d rarely experienced.
“Thank you all for fussing over me,” I said, unable to control my yawn. “I’m really okay...”
Ten seconds later, I was dead to the world.
Chapter 17
Leo
While Katia slept and Bianca retrieved her things, I called one of my fellow agents, Jermaine. We’d worked together for years, and although I didn’t discuss my dealings with Michael, I knew Jermaine understood I worked outside of the box, and he’d always accepted that.
“Hey, Leo,” Jermaine’s deep voice said. “You coming into the office today? We’re wrapping up the Schneider case and there’s too much damn paperwork.”
“Story of our lives,” I muttered. “Listen, I’ve got a family emergency and I need to take a few days off. I’m going to call Sarah and tell her, but I wanted to call you first. Can you cover me? I know it’s extra paperwork, and I’ll make it up to you.”
