Diego's POV

As I turned, a sharp pain stabbed at my side, sending shockwaves through my body. The bright lights that flooded the room forced me to shut my eyes in discomfort; I hadn't yet adjusted to their intensity.

I sat up in the bed and carefully removed the drip needle from the back of my hand.

Though I had faced scenarios like this for years, this incident felt far worse than others. I had to admit, I had never been one to play it safe—it simply wasn't in my nature.

As I swung ...