Stetsons and Stakeouts

by BA Tortuga

  “How is he supposed to move his bowels without blinding agony?” He meant it. His curiosity was up.

  “He can have laxatives. In fact he’ll need them after the morphine, but he needs to eat.” There was something about listening to Mason with his lazy, yet weirdly chilly, drawl.

  “Poor guy. Okay, I’ll tempt him with something. I need to call in a cleaning service for Colt, man. Go see him.”

  “Already on the move.”

  “Good deal. Holler if you need anything.” He was on the move too, the way to the hospital all too familiar now. He would stop at McDs and get some breakfast-all-day stuff. Pancakes might sit well. He called Jerilyn on the way. “Zia, I need cleaners. Good ones with strong stomachs. How’s Bri?”

  “In bed resting. She’s looking fantastic. What did y’all do? You know your mamma will be coming, right?”

  “I didn’t do anything. The apartment over the garage is, uh, a little on the trashed side. Colt is not good at his people getting hurt.”

  “Such an evil boy. I like him.”

  “So do I. Very much. Send hazmat,” he told her.

  “Oh dear. How’s Bonner?”

  “He needs to poop.”

  “Ah. Yes. Get him a milkshake. Get him two.” His aunt knew everything. Everything.

  “Oh, good idea. Thanks, Zia.”

  “You got it. Maria’s cousin has a service. They even do crime scene cleanup. I’ll call.”

  “When are y’all coming home?”

  “I imagine post-baby. The ranch is a lovely place for babies.”

  “So. You planning to keep everyone?”

  “As long as I can, yeah. I’m not getting grandkids, Gianni. I have to grab this with both hands.” She chuckled. “Bri needs a bit of guidance.” Her voice dropped. “It’s not like you’re not keeping her brother.”

  “I want to.” The words popped out. “I’m thinking of quitting the DEA, Zia. Going freelance.”

  “Are you? Will you bring all your people with you? Is that a thing?”

  “If they’ll come. I mean, some of them will want their government pension.” He had no need for that.

  “Right.” She paused, and then asked, “Are we going to become a compound?” She sounded tickled as a man with a feather up his ass.

  “We’re already kind of a compound, Zia.”

  “No, no. A commune.” She snorted. “That’s what I meant.”

  “Only if Bonner and Bri’s mom shows up.”

  “We will gently ask her to leave. With a shotgun.”

  Oh. Oh dear. Looked like someone had heard all about Bonner’s momma and wasn’t interested one bit. Not that Gianni could blame Jerilyn at all. “Okay. I’m at the hospital. I’ll call and let you know how things are going.”

  “Remember, milkshakes.”

  “Got it.” Dammit. He pulled back out of the lot. “Love you.”

  “Love you more.”

  Gianni just laughed. He never argued with her or his mom when they told him that. Not after his mamma had explained to him how a mother’s love was deep and unending and he needed to shut up.

  Some arguments you simply couldn’t win.

  He grabbed a couple of giant milkshakes and headed in, loaded for bear. It was time to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with his foreman.

  The tech at the nurse’s station rolled her eyes at him. “He is in a mood.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “Yeah. I’d just run, if I was you.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” He walked into the room, milkshakes held out like shields. “Hey, caro.”

  “I want out of here!” The sound of something metal hitting the wall was impressive.

  “Are you supposed to be throwing things yet?” That seemed a little advanced, given Bonner’s condition.

  “Oh, hey. No.” He got a blush and a shit-eating grin. “I want out.”

  “You have to poop first. So I brought milkshakes.”

  “Pardon me?” Bonner looked at him like he’d grown another head.

  “They won’t let you go until you eat and then have a bowel movement. That’s the doctorspeak. I say you need to poop.” He put one shake down where Bonner could reach it. As soon as it melted some, he’d trade out the massive straw for a bendy one to make it easier.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “That’s because you’ve forgotten how to eat. Suck.” Gianni held the straw to Bonner’s lips.

  “I haven’t forgotten how to suck, you know.”

  “Goodie.” Tease. “No broken-back sex.”

  “None? I’m going to heal, you know?” Bonner flushed bright pink, then began to drink.

  “Once you heal, I’m taking you to the beach. Hopefully, that’s incentive.”

  “Me?” Bonner looked at him. “Your face is trying to heal, huh?”

  “Shut up.” The X-rays had proven he had a break, but what could you do but let it mend?

  “You look like someone bopped you with a makeup bag.”

  “Are you trying to insult me over injuries sustained while I was distracted trying to get you to go to bed with me?” Gianni laughed, because at least Bonner was drinking his shake.

  “You were lucky I came out to look at your bod.”

  “I was fucking lucky, and you know it. Thank you.” That had been some kind of luck, that Bonner had seen.

  “I’m ready to go ho—to get out of here.”

  “I’m ready to take you home.” He emphasized the home part because it was his place. Gianni got how Bonner could feel awkward about it, but he wanted Bonner with him. Possibly he needed Bonner with him. He was going to have to think about that, unpack it a little.

  Gianni cheered when Bonner hit the bottom of the first shake. “I might even share this one with you instead of making you drink it all.”

  “I’ll puke. I can’t.”

  “We’ll sit a bit. I’m glad to see you drink one. I might have to bring you ice cream more often.”

  “I like pineapple a lot.” Bonner leaned his head back. “Thank you for coming.”

  “No problem, caro. I miss your face.”

  “What happens next? Have you talked to Bri? Did you find my phone?”

  “Your phone is with Colt. Now, don’t give me that look. It didn’t break when you dropped it, but it won’t hold a charge.”

  “You know he’s torturing every roper I know.”

  “I kinda doubt it. He’s having, uh, issues.” Gianni winced when he thought how bad Colt had looked today.

  He loved how Bonner immediately looked concerned. “Is he hurt bad? I feel like everyone knows things but me.”

  “I don’t think he’s much more than bruised. He has control issues, and they were violated.” Gianni shrugged. “Jerilyn sent me some pictures of Bri. Want to see?”

  “I do. She’s okay? Happy?” Bonner’s eyes went wide. “Jesus. She looks like the broad side of a barn.”

  “She’s mostly in bed now. Zia says it gets that way with twins.” What did he know about it? Zip.

  “They’re little girls. I don’t know what she’s going to do.”

  “She’ll be fine. I think Zia is adopting her. My people collect folks.”

  “Is that what you’re doing with me? Adopting me?”

  “No. No, I want to have mad monkey sex with you. I want to get to know you too. Don’t ever think this is about pity.” That was important.

  “Pity sex isn’t my gig.”

  No. No, and Gianni couldn’t imagine that hot little body needing sympathy. “Not one bit.” Oh, he was gonna tear Bonner up when he was well, even if Gianni had to track his ass down to do it.

  “Are you going to let me stay with you, when you take me back?”

  “I am.” They’d talked about it, but Bonner had been stoned out of his mind. “I mean, not in a guest room.” Heat suffused his cheeks, but he held Bonner’s gaze. “I mean it, you know, not in a guest room. Period.”

  “Good deal.” Bonner probably would have nodded, but that
had to hurt too much. Brave little shit. Gianni adored him. “Have a little of the other shake, caro.”

  “Oh, I—”

  “No arguments. I’ll sic Mason on you. He’s vicious.”

  “He’s a tough bastard. I like him.”

  “Remind you of the rodeo, does he?” Gianni teased. Mason kind of reminded him of an Old West kind of Renaissance man.

  “Yeah. Yeah, I understand the type. I bet you do too.”

  “I do.” He grinned, shaking his head. Hell, he might not be a doctor, but Tom inspired fear and line-toeing. Just the thought of moving out on his own without Tom’s safety net was… damn. He needed to have a couple of powwows, see if it was even feasible. Gianni did like the idea of being more flexible, of maybe being able to work out of Texas more often. Of having a lover mostly full-time.

  Of having a home.

  “Huh?” He realized Bonner had been talking.

  “I said I’m done for now, honey. With the shake. I’m real tired.”

  “You want me to hang out for a bit?” He would. Gianni could use a nap himself before he had to go deal with more Tom and Colt and with Xavvy, who was going to drop by for supper.

  “Please. Please, I just want to rest.” Bonner blinked at him, nice and slow.

  “You bet. I’ll move to the couch thing, but you need anything, you holler.”

  “’Kay. I will. I got this.” He wasn’t sure that was true, but Gianni would go with it.

  The couch could be comfortable if the fabric it bore wasn’t tough as whip leather Naugahyde. Gianni supposed they had to be able to bleach the fuck out of it. Okay, that was a gross thought. Blergh.

  He grabbed the extra blanket and pillow from the closet so he could lie down without touching the couch surface. He could totally watch mindless TV and nap.

  Every so often, Bonner would look over at him, smile, then relax back down. He guessed having him there eased the man’s mind some. That worked for him.

  It eased his too. He wasn’t sure what that meant.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “DUDE. YOU look like shit.” Micah stood there, looking at him. “You sure you can come home?”

  “Uh-huh. I’m sure. I just need some help getting out of here and home.” Bonner was done. He could get one of the guys to take out the stitches.

  “Well, I dunno.” Micah shifted from boot to boot. “They said you’d have to go without the doc’s blessing.”

  “Don’t be like that, now. No one will know you did it.”

  “They will too. That doctor fellow? He ain’t scary at all, is he?”

  “Shut up. You’ll be over there at Miz Jerilyn’s, and we both know it. I just need you to help with the IV and a shirt.” Maybe his boots. He might need help with his boots.

  “I guess.” Micah started toward him.

  “If you touch that IV, I will shoot you.”

  Micah’s eyes shot open wide as they both looked toward the door, where Gianni stood. Fuck.

  “No, sir.” Micah edged away from Bonner.

  “Traitor. He wouldn’t do it. He’s a cop.”

  “No, he’s an agent. He’d bust a cap right in me.” Micah actually sounded worried.

  Gianni burst out laughing. “What the fuck is that?”

  “I have no idea.” Bonner glared at Micah. Dipshit. “Too much rap music?”

  “They say it on all the cop shows.” Micah was at the door. “I’ll get you a shake.”

  “Thanks, coward.” He winked at Micah, then sighed at Gianni. “That was shit timing.”

  “No, it was great timing. They’re going to fit you with a brace this afternoon. If you do your therapy training tomorrow, they’ll send you home tomorrow evening.”

  “I could have been home in twenty minutes.”

  “Uh-huh. In that filthy fucking truck? I don’t think so, caro.”

  “What? Micah would clean it for me.”

  “If he had ten hours to spare.”

  “I’ll be okay.” He was getting tired already.

  Gianni came to him, gently eased him back down on the bed. “You need to rest.”

  “I want to come home.” Even if it wasn’t his home.

  “Oh God, caro. Me too. I want you where I can help.”

  “I want to be able to have coffee at will. Sleep in the sun.” With you.

  “Tomorrow. If you do what they say. Mason called me down to help with the brace. Said you’d need me.” Gianni’s grimace said a lot.

  “That good, huh?” Oh man. “We could go now.”

  “No, caro.” Now Gianni smiled at him, that expression pure devil. “I want you on the fast-healing track. I want you.”

  “Still?” Wait, that was whiny.

  “More than. You’re my hero, Bonner. I’m not kidding.” Gianni pressed a warm hand to his thigh.

  “I just….” Oh, that felt lovely. Solid and warm.

  “I know, but we do this right.” That smooth voice was full of concern. And a teeny bit of command.

  “You’re damn used to getting what you want, honey.”

  “I am.” Gianni waggled his eyebrows. “I have an Italian count for a father and a ranch princess for a mamma. I had to learn to stand up.”

  “I have a crazy meth-head momma. I just try to do right.”

  “I see that.” Gianni moved to sit next to him on the bed. One hand pressed down harder on his leg, which Bonner realized was twitching madly. “Your surgeon said your legs might do that as you healed.”

  “Oh. I thought you just wanted to touch me.” It was surprisingly disappointing.

  “I do. I want to because I can. You’re not flat on your back, so I can do this.” Gianni leaned around to kiss him, the touch not gentle or tentative at all. Just a real, needy kiss.

  Gianni was careful not to put pressure on his neck, though, and pulled away way too soon. “I thought I’d stay with you today.”

  Uh-huh…. “Who warned you?”

  “Mason. He says you’re chomping at the bit.”

  “You’re losing your Italian again, you know.”

  “Am I? Potrei farti delle brutte cose in italiano.”

  “Mmm.” He had no idea what Gianni had said, but it always sounded so pretty.

  Gianni chuckled. “I knew you wanted me to do terrible things to your body.”

  “I do. I want to do… well, you know what I want.”

  “Sì.” Gianni touched his leg much higher up. “Soon. I promise.”

  A knock sounded before the nurse came in. “Hey, look at you sitting up.”

  “I want to go home.” If he kept saying it, someone would listen.

  “Well, did Mr. Cesare here tell you what the doctor said? Fitting for the brace today. Out of here tomorrow night if your therapy sessions go well.”

  “Not fair. Y’all said I had to poop. That was all.”

  “The brace is absolutely necessary, man. Hey, I’m Kevin, your new best friend and PT guy.”

  Bonner hated him already.

  Gianni grinned. “We met in the hall. I have a physician on duty at the ranch who will be working with him. Will you have written instructions in the release information?”

  “I will, and I’ll be there three times a week.”

  Goodie. “How bad’s the brace? What’s it going to do? How long do I have to do this?”

  “I wish I had those answers. The brace is probably not as bad as the one you had to wear when you cracked your neck. I saw that in your records. It will be hot more than anything else. It keeps everything in alignment and keeps things from compressing. The length all depends on how you heal.” Kevin shrugged. “Today will suck, because you’ve been kept in basically one place, and I’m going to move things that don’t want to be moved. So, let’s start with some muscle relaxants, hmm?”

  “Yeah.” He hated that, but he knew they would help. Gianni moved out of the way, leaving him with Kevin for far too long. The drugs got a few minutes to do their thing, and then the torture started. The brace was unyi
elding and stiff, and he felt like a robot. A really sore robot that wanted to scream.

  “I want it off.”

  “Okay. We’ll have to do another round after you rest. I’ll be back in about two hours.” Kevin sounded sympathetic.

  “Yeah. Y’all just go, huh?” He didn’t want to see anyone. He thought he might just break down.

  “Sure. Here, let’s get this off.” Kevin helped him out of the brace before slipping out of the room.

  Gianni moved back to his side. “You want a sponge bath?”

  “I want to go home.” He was covered in sweat, shaking, and the only reason he wasn’t screaming were the meds.

  “Tomorrow. All we have to do is get through tomorrow.” Gianni reached out to touch his cheek.

  “Can you get Micah to get that shake?”

  Gianni carefully wiped his belly down, texting as he did. “We’ve got one on the way. Let me help you, caro. Let me make it better.”

  “I just hate being weak.”

  “Trust me, caro. I understand.”

  Bonner looked up into those dark, dark eyes, and he saw a shit-ton of truth there. “I could use your help.”

  “What do you need?” Gianni bent to kiss his cheek.

  “I’m hot. Sticky.” Miserable. Broken.

  “Okay. Let me cool off this cloth. I’ll wash you down, and Micah will bring a shake. I’ll get you a clean gown too.”

  “I’m sorry, honey.”

  “I’m only sorry you’re hurting. I want you to get well.” Gianni moved around, getting the tech to get him clean linens and a new gown.

  “He can have a shower as long as he uses the seat and lets one of the male techs help,” she said.

  “I don’t need help.” He wanted Gianni’s help. He knew he couldn’t ask for it, but that was what he wanted, dammit.

  “We can do this.” Gianni smiled at her, and the young lady kinda… wiggled.

  “Well, okay, but if you need help, call us.”

  “You have my word, bella.” Oh Lord, the Italian voice.

  “I’ll get you some shampoo and towels.” She swayed out of the room.

  “It’s a shame you’re queer as a three-dollar bill. You could have anything you wanted.”

  “Caro, I do get what I want.” Gianni winked and dared to reach up and cup his balls. “And I wouldn’t go after her even if she was a boy. Her dad was my biology teacher.”