Page 74 of A Raven Repents

“Will I still be able to be a partner?”

“Of course you will.”

“Are you sure? I won’t be able to keep nearly as good of an eye on the place.”

“Stop it, Giles. None of this is funny.”

It wasn’t funny. But it also wasn’t easy to know whether or not he could still do the job. “Have you discussed it with the others?”

“There’s nothing to discuss.” Michael’s words were sharp and clipped. “And that doesn’t matter. Right now, you need only concentrate on resting.”

“How can I?” he shouted. “He took my eye, Michael. How can I be sure anything will be the same after that?”

Michael looked gutted, like he might even cry too.

The door opened and although he didn’t want more company, he was glad for the interruption. He couldn’t cope with seeing grief from Michael over his injury. Gwen entered with a smile and a tray, and behind her, his mother. What in God’s name was she doing here? The last thing he needed was his mother here, fretting.

“I’ve brought you something to eat,” Gwen said. “You must be hungry.”

He was hungry, but this was all too much.

“Here, I’ll help him,” Michael said, reaching for the tray.

“I don’t need help eating,” Giles said indignantly. “I’ve lost an eye. I’m not an invalid.”

“Give us a moment, please,” his mother said, quietly.

Michael and Gwen left without a word.

Giles groaned as she approached the bed. “Not you, too. I love you, Mother, but I don’t need one more person here feeling sorry for me. I need you to go home. I need everyone to just go home.”

“You do need me, because I’m the only one who can say this. I won’t be hurt when you lash out at me the way the others will be.”

“I don’t need a lecture. I need to be left in peace with my food.”

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and his body trembled with the effort of keeping his emotions under control.

“I can’t imagine what a shock this has been for you, Giles. You were attacked, right outside of your own club. And with your wife beside you. You’ve lost an eye. That’s no mere paper cut. Your soul can only be in utter turmoil, and I haven’t even mentioned the physical pain you must be enduring.”

“I don’t need you to recapitulate the events. I was there.”

“Pride is a stubborn thing, Giles. And I know how stubborn you can be. Don’t let it prevent you from accepting the support you need. And even more importantly, don’t allow it to spread the pain you’re feeling to the people who love you. Michael, Ash, Christina, every one of them would gladly take your place over watching you suffer. Try to imagine yourself in their shoes, and allow them to help you. To them, it is an honor, not a burden.”

He took a breath, and tried to do as she said. The thought of Michael or Ash, or God forbid, Christina, in his place, was absolutely heartbreaking. And how would he feel if they sent him away?

“I’ll try to do better.” He nodded. “Thank you, Mother. I might not be any good at showing it, but I do appreciate you.”

“I won’t be staying. You have more than enough people already hovering, and I’ll only be in the way. But I needed to see that you were safe.” She lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. “I needed to see my boy.”

“Who told you?”

“All of them.”

Giles sighed. It probably wouldn’t have even occurred to him to tell his mother. “I suppose it really is more than a paper cut.”

“Yes it is. And if I hear that you’re not resting, I will be back to give you another lecture. Now, are you going to be nice to Michael if I send him back in? Or do I have to feed you myself?”

A whisper of laughter passed his lips. “I’ll try my best.”