Chapter 72: Love In The Aftermath
Zander
“How are Brady and Toby? And how did they get to Toby anyway?” I ask. “The agent that was guarding Toby is dead. They slit his throat, Zander. He was so young and still new to their division. As for Brady, his surgery should be done by now, but I haven’t heard anything yet.
Toby also isn’t awake yet, but Chris is with him. I haven’t gone to see them yet. I didn’t want to leave you. You have been asleep for just over two hours. They removed the bullet and closed the wound. They said you will be okay in a few days, as long as you don’t reopen the wound. You have a busted lip and a nasty bruise on your stomach, but no internal damage.” Liz
answers and I nod.
“And everyone else? And what about the staff?” “They are all okay. Ricardo wasn’t shot, he just had a few bruises from the guys he fought. Perez and Chris are also okay. You, Brady and Toby got the worst of it.” “Thank God they weren’t hurt. I still can’t believe you took Keira out
like that. I am very sure those were the knives from the kitchenette in the panic room,” I say
and she chuckles.
“They were. I had to think fast. I didn’t know how to fire a gun, so I didn’t want to risk it. When I
was looking for something to knock her out with, those knives just called to me. It made me
remember how I threw a knife at Kyle’s head the day I left him. I figured, if I could do it then, I
could do it again. It was my second time throwing a knife, only ever darts.
When I saw her pointing that gun at you, something snapped inside me. I wanted her dead. I
had to stop myself because I was aiming for her neck. But I just kept thinking that her life
wasn’t mine to take.” She says, looking deep in thought. “And how do you feel about me killing Martha?” I ask, worried that she would see me differently now.
“That b***h had to die either way, she would’ve never stopped. You did the right thing, Zander. But Keira isn’t her mother, she needs professional help. Maybe once she gets it, she can heal. As long as she does it far away from us, I am cool.” Liz answers and I smile.
“I agree. I never want to see her crazy face again.” “You and me both,” Liz says, chuckling.” Can you please get the doctor? I would really like to get the go ahead to leave. I want to check
on Toby and Brady and get you home. You need to rest.” I say, and she nods and steals a kiss,
before she leaves the room. I actually killed someone. Damn Martha for making me take her
life.
It started with my grandparents‘ death and ended with hers. Hopefully, this is the last I will
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Chapter 72: Love In The Afterm…
ever see or hear of the Diaz family. “I am glad you are awake, you had me worried son,” Wayne
says as he walks in with Liz. “Hey doc, are you okay? How is Toby?” “I am fine, I was here working when everything happened. Toby should wake up soon. He has a concussion so we will monitor him,” Wayne says while checking my chart.
“I am sorry I put both your lives in danger.” “Nonsense, it’s not your fault. We are just glad this
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is all over, so no apologies. You will need to stay here for a while. You can leave after your wound is checked, and we are happy with the healing. “Why can’t I leave now? Liz needs rest,”
I say.
“Nope, you have to stay at least 24 hours. Liz can share your bed, as long as she doesn’t
bother the wound. The bed is big enough, and you are in a private room.” Doc says in that
no–nonsense tone he uses with his patients. “Fine, but can I at least go check on my friends?”
“As soon as I am done checking your vitals,” he says, and I nod.
I will be able to rest better once I know Brady and Toby are okay. I still feel very responsible for
all this.
Toby
I try to open my eyes, but my head is pounding. What is wrong with me? I opened my eyes and
shut them immediately. It’s way too bright. Who put my light on? I try again and allow my eyes
time to adjust.
I look around and see that I am in a hospital room. Then it all comes back to me. Being taken
by men that looked like G.I Joe’s on steroids. Being held at gunpoint. Zander coming out of the
panic room so that b***h would let me go. Zander… I hope he is okay.
I look down and see Chris sleeping with his head on my hand, and I smile. I lift my other hand
and run my fingers through his curly hair. His curls are as soft as I imagined them to be. He
starts to stir and sits up fast and looks at me. I knew he would look sexy when he just woke
- up.
“You’re awake,” he says in a dreamy voice. “How do you feel?” “I feel like I have a hangover
from hell. Please tell me Zander is okay. And what about everyone else? And Liz and the baby?” I ask and he fills me in. Wow, so Brady chose us after all. And good for Liz, protecting her man. She really is awesome.
“Should I get your dad?” Chris asks, still holding my hand. I don’t think he even realizes that he
is still holding my hand. “Wait, before you call him. I want to speak to you,” I say, and take a deep breath. I can do this. Life is too short not to take risks. No risk, no reward, right?
“I know, and I am so sorry I allowed them to get to you. It was my job to protect you and I
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Chapter 72: Love In The Afterm…
failed,” he says, looking down at our hands. “It’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.
That isn’t what I want to speak to you about. Being in that situation has made me realize that
life is way too short to second guess yourself.” I say, looking deep into his eyes.
“I agree, so can I say something?” he asks and I nod. “I like you, Toby. No, I am in love with you. I have been for a while, but I was too scared to admit those feelings to you. You are so accomplished, handsome and young. What would you want with me? But seeing you in danger made me realize the same thing you did. I should’ve told you long ago, but I guess I
was scared of rejection,” he says, and I smile.
“Come closer,” I whispered like I was about to tell him a secret., He frowns, but gets up and
bends down closer to me. I cupped his face and kissed him. He freezes, and I think it’s the
shock, or at least I hope it is. But then he kissed me back. I move my hands to his hair, while
he cups my face.
God, he is a damn good kisser. I have been with men before, but never in a serious relationship. When we break the kiss, he rests his forehead against mine and smiles. “I have been wanting to do that for a while now,” I say, and he chuckles and kisses my lips softly.
“What did you want to tell me?” he asks and I chuckle. “The same thing you just did. I have been in love with you for a while now. And spending all this time with you were the best days of my life. You are amazing, strong, capable, and you have such a big heart,” I say and he
smiles.
“You are the amazing one,” “Agree to disagree,” I answer, and he chuckles. “Can I get your dad please? I just need to know that you are okay. When he puts my mind at rest, we can talk some more,” Chris says, and I smile. He is so sweet to worry about me, but other than a dull
pain in my head, I feel fine.
He kisses my forehead and runs out of the room. I am still smiling when he comes back in with my dad. “Hey son, how are you feeling?” Dad asks as he starts checking my vitals. “I feel like I have a hangover, but other than that, I am the happiest man alive.” I answer with a big
smile, and dad returns my smile.
“Please do share what is making you so happy,” “Not what, who.” I answer and he chuckles and looks at Chris. “So you two finally told each other how you feel?” he asks and I frown. Chris is also looking at dad in confusion, but dad just chuckles. “Did you think I didn’t know? It seems everyone could see it, but you two fools.
I noticed the flirting and the puppy dog eyes you would give each other. I was just waiting for
you to admit it to each other,” Dad says, and we laugh with him. Was I that obvious? “Do you
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Chapter 72: Love In The Afterm….
think the others know?” “They definitely know. Zander figured it out, but I think it’s mostly Liz
that pointed it out,” Chris says and I chuckle.
I knew she would figure it out, that sneaky b***h. I am surprised at Zander though, he is
always so oblivious. It must be Liz rubbing off on him. I honestly love her for him. Dad was reapplying my bandage when Liz and Zander came in. And I am soon sandwiched in a Liz and
Zander hug and I have to chuckle.
Chris is moaning for them to stop hurting me, and Zander is just smirking at him. He clearly
knows. “Before you say anything, I don’t want to hear any apologies. None of this is your fault,
so shut up and sit down and tell me what the doctor said,” I say and Liz giggles and winks at
- me.
“Why don’t you tell me why you seem to be glowing? Could there be something in the air,”
Zander says, and I roll my eyes. I am sure he tormented Chris with his shitty jokes. “As a
matter of fact, yes. Love seems to be in the air.” I say, reaching out my hand to Chris, and he
sits down on the bed and takes it and kisses it.
“Finally!” Zander says dramatically. “What took you two so long?” Liz asks, smiling brightly,
while Zander puts his arm around her. They are such a perfect couple. “That whole situation
made us both spill our truths. Turns out we both felt the same all along and were just too
scared to tell each other.” I answered and they both smiled.
“Well, we are very happy for you,” Zander says. “Thank you. You do realize that you two are
couple goals, right?” I say, and they chuckle. Chris leans over and kisses me softly and I smile.
I am so happy right now. I cannot wait to start our life as a couple.
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Nats
#Vote# I love Toby for Chris. I am sure they will be very happy.
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