chapter 25
JULIAN POLE
The door had barely closed after Jace left when it swung open again.
Luka and Rico came rushing in, both of them looking like they hadn't slept in days. Luka looked like he'd been crying all through the night, and Rico looked like he'd punched a wall on his way here.
"You're awake," Luka said, relief flooding his voice. "Finally, man."
Rico didn't say anything right away. He just stood there, arms crossed, watching me like I might collapse again if he blinked.
"I'm fine," I said, though my voice came out weaker than I wanted.
"Fine, my ass," Rico muttered. "You scared the shit out of us."
Luka shot him a look. "Hey, at least he's talking." Then he turned to me again, smile softening. "Jace didn't leave you all night, you know. Sat right there—" he pointed to the chair beside the bed, "like a statue."
I froze. "He did?"
"Yeah," Luka said. "Didn't move, didn't sleep, nothing. Nurses had to remind him to drink water."
