Yes, he did.

But at this point, he’d rather be dead than continue living with his current disfigured face. He saw the panic in Zarya’s eyes that told him she didn’t want him to risk it at all. Gods, how he wished the rest of the world held her heart. That everyone could see past the ugliness and judge him for something less petty.

It was why he loved her.

Unfortunately, others weren’t like that and he knew it better than most.

“Not like you can make it any worse,” he said under his breath. He spoke louder to Syn. “Do what you can, as fast as you can. I’ll call the meeting for the end of next week.” He turned back to Ryn. “Can you run things while I’m down?”

He didn’t miss the reluctance in Ryn’s eyes, but for once his brother agreed to help him. “I’m willing to try. You going to kick my ass if I screw something up?”

“Probably.”

“Oh well then,” Ryn said with exaggerated enthusiasm, “by all means, let me get started right away.”

Zarya suppressed a smile at Ryn’s sarcasm.

Darling ignored it entirely as he walked over to Syn. “How long do you need to prep?”

“I can have you in surgery in about four hours from now. Or we can wait until tomorrow morning.”

Darling’s gaze locked with hers. She wished she could read his mood, but he gave nothing away. “I want it over with. Please, get started on the prep.”

“You sure?” Syn asked.

He nodded.

“All right. Hauk and I will jump on it. See you in four hours at HQ.” They headed for the door.

Darling glanced to Drake. “I really wish you’d go home.”

“I am home.”

A fierce tic started in Darling’s jaw. But he didn’t say anything more about Drake’s refusal. “Can you and Zarya give me a few minutes alone with Ryn and Maris?”

Drake inclined his head to him before he offered his arm to Zarya.

Surprised by the unexpected chivalry, she tucked her hand into the crook of Drake’s elbow.

As they started for the door, Darling stopped them. He cupped her cheek in the palm of his hand. “You understand why I’m doing this, right?”

“I do, but I don’t agree with it, and I really wish you’d at least wait until tomorrow. You’ve barely had time to heal from the attack.”

His gaze softened before he leaned down to kiss her.

Zarya held him to her when he started to pull away. “Don’t you dare die on me.”

He nuzzled her cheek. “I know. You’ll follow me into hell and beat me if I do,” he whispered in her ear.

“You know as stubborn as I am that I will, too.”

He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be up in a few.”

She nodded before Drake led her from the room.

Drake didn’t speak until they were alone in the back hallway. Then his entire demeanor turned stiff and icy as he pulled her to a stop. “Why are you here?”