Syn didn’t answer her question as he continued his report. “Because it’s Darling, we’re not sure how well the new procedure will take. But I did a little more work on his internals while I had him under. The additional stress shocked his system, which was really stupid on my part. However, I knew the chances of getting him back on the table would be slim, so I wanted to get as much done on him as I could.” He pulled the surgical cap off. “I seriously hope I haven’t made a mistake.”

Nykyrian placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You’re the best there is, Syn. He’ll be fine.”

Syn’s gaze doubted that confidence.

“Can I see him?” Nero asked.

“He won’t be awake for a while.”

Nero refused to be daunted. “But can I see him?”

“Sure.”

When Syn went to show him the way, Nero stopped him. “I got it. You stay here with the others.”

Syn frowned, but didn’t argue as Nero left them in the waiting room and vanished through the doors. “Damn. I should have grabbed his flask again.”

Fain handed him his. “My shit’s better, anyway. Nero’s a cheap bastard who has no taste buds.”

Syn saluted him with the flask.

Caillen tsked as Syn took a deep drink. “You wouldn’t be doing that if Shahara was here.”

“Damn straight. She’d kick my ass sideways and you better not tell her I did this. I will kick yours if you do.”

“Don’t make it a habit and I won’t.”

Zarya glanced at Maris who’d been eerily quiet through everything. “How long before Darling wakes up?” she asked Syn.

He shrugged. “There’s no telling. His metabolism is faster than most so he burns through medication like nothing I’ve ever seen. It’s why it’s so hard to put him out medically and why you never want to try and drink him under the table… After we rescued him from the Resistance, I went through most of the pharmacy in one week alone just to keep him in a coma so he could heal.”

His gaze touched on everyone who stood around him. “There’s no need for you guys to hang. I’ve got him under tight observation and he’s not going to want to talk to anyone when he wakes.” He jerked his head toward the hallway. “In fact I’m going to crash in my office for a while.”

Lise walked over to Fain. “Are you staying, or heading home?”

“Why?”

“If you’re staying, I’d like to sleep and shower on your ship.”

“Sure.”

Drake cleared his throat. “You’re not going there alone, little girl. Not with Fain’s reputation where women are concerned.”

She rolled her eyes at her brother, then looked at Zarya. “I’ll pay you money to kill him.”

Chayden laughed. “Well, if you want your brother killed, you’re in the right place, but asking the wrong person. I think everyone here, but Zarya, is a trained assassin.”

“Drake’s not trained,” Lise said flippantly.