Chapter 124

Kai POV

Pain woke me.

Not the dull ache of anesthesia wearing off, but sharp, burning agony that radiated from my chest through every nerve ending. I tried to move and immediately regretted it.

“Don’t.” Nova’s voice, soft and hoarse. “You’ll pull your stitches.”

I forced my eyes open. Hospital room. Machines beeping. Late afternoon sun filtering through blinds. And Nova, sitting in a chair beside my bed, her hand wrapped around mine.

She looked exhausted. Dark circles under her eyes. Hair pulled back messily. Still wearing hospital scrubs that were too big for her.

“How long?” My voice came out as a rasp.

“Two days. You’ve been in and out, but this is the first time you’ve been really awake.” She squeezed my hand. “How do you feel?”

“Like I got shot.”

A ghost of a smile. “The doctors say you’re lucky. Two inches to the left and the bullet would have hit your heart. As it is, you’ll make a full recovery. Eventually.”