Curiosity Killed Shaney(85)

Chapter Thirty

Shaney paced as the doctor in the ER checked Hudson over and over and over again. Shaney could see as the impatience grew in Hudson’s eyes as he laid on the gurney. The paramedic who had declared Hudson legally dead hovered, her face perplexed as she and the doctor spoke in hushed whispers.

“I’m fine,” Hudson growled.

The doctor, a middle-aged man with hair greying at the temples frowned. “Mr. Turner, your heart stopped for over forty-five minutes. The odds of a heart naturally starting again after that length of time—much less showing absolutely no signs of damage—is miraculous. And the fact that you aren’t brain dead...” He shook his head. “From what the paramedics report, you exhibited all of the symptoms of a major cardiac event. And now...” The paramedic’s puzzled look transferred to the doctor. “Now your heart is as healthy as it should be for a twenty-six-year old man.”

Shaney caught Hudson’s eye and they shared a grateful look. Healthy. Half of the tension twisting through Shaney sloughed off him like a shedding skin. Hudson was okay, was going to be okay. The remaining tension in Shaney was for Todd. Shaney had yet to hear about his best friend. He was in the hospital somewhere suffering from Shaney only knew what. Once Hudson was freed, he’d find him.

He yanked up the oversized blue scrub pants he had been given, along with a scrub top, to replace the oversized rubber jacket from the fireman. Shaney just wanted to touch Hudson, climb onto that gurney, and lie next to his warm, living body.

The doctor sighed as he continued to scan through test results and the EKG tape. When finished, he scratched his head. “I can’t find anything wrong with you. After an hour, I haven’t seen one anomaly to warrant keeping you here. Let me get your discharge paperwork.” The doctor left the cubicle, leaving them with the paramedic, who continued to eye Hudson warily.

Shaney approached her and held out his hand. “Thank you for saving my boyfriend. He’s here because you worked so hard. I can never repay you...” Shaney looked to her nametag. “Ms. James.”

She took Shaney’s hand. “Karen. And I don’t think I had anything to do with what happened. I think some higher power stepped in here.”

Shaney fought to keep the smile from his face.

“I think you’re right about that,” Hudson confirmed, sitting up.

She cocked her head. “Those symbols you cleaned off his chest in the ambulance. What were those?”

Shaney clenched his teeth. How the hell did he explain those?

“Tattoo I was thinking about getting. Wanted to try it out before getting the permanent thing. I’m now thinking it’s a ‘no’ on that design,” Hudson said, the amusement apparent in his voice.

Shaney barked out a laugh. “I totally agree on that one, love.”

Karen nodded, the confusion apparent on her face. “I have to get back to the rig. This has been quite the day. Not too often we get happy endings.” She smiled and exited the room.

In two heartbeats, Shaney was in Hudson’s arms. Shaney buried his face in Hudson’s neck.

Something like a choked sob broke from Hudson. “Godammit, baby. You died. I saw you go, and I...” Hudson swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to live without you. I gave up.” Hudson kissed the top of Shaney’s head. “Don’t leave me, again.”

Shaney tightened his grip around Hudson. “I could say the same thing. When they said you were gone, I just couldn’t let you go.”

Hudson’s palm rubbed over Shaney’s back. Shaney reveled in the beat of Hudson’s heart and the warmth of his skin. When he’d said goodbye to Hudson in that loft, he had been sure it had been forever. The agony of that moment still echoed in his heart.

“I’m glad you didn’t.” Hudson paused. “It’s over, right?” The tightness in Hudson’s voice yanked at Shaney’s chest.

“God, I hope so,” Shaney said, but he had his doubts. “You don’t think what happened to me could happen to Silas, do you?”

Shaney heard the breath catch in Hudson’s chest.

“No, Silas is gone.”

Shaney and Hudson both startled at the voice. A beleaguered and exhausted Caleb hovered nearby. Ash covered parts of his face, his glasses were askew, and his clothes were singed.

When Shaney tried to pull away, Hudson gripped him tighter. Shaney patted his shoulder and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Hudson released his grip but grasped Shaney’s hand.

“How do you know?” Shaney asked.

Caleb wrapped his arms around his slender frame. “Because he didn’t have the ability to manipulate the energy of creation with his mind.”