“What the fuck did you do?” Luca growls, his hand slamming down on the bed next to him. “Did you hurt him?”
“He’s fine. He's probably fucking Hollis and not giving a shit.”
Luca’s jaw drops as he studies me. His mouth closes with an audible snap of his teeth. “You have to be fucking kidding me. Even I know that’s bullshit. It wouldn’t matter if he’s having a relationship with Hollis, he’d never walk away without a reason. He’d put you first. So tell me…did you put him first?”
I stand up, my chair screeching against the floor as it moves back. Throwing up my hands, I struggle not to scream. “I made decisions. Ones that as his Master—as the Boss—needed to be done. They fucked up while Cristian and I were gone. Ignaciotouched Roman, so Cristian punished him. He’ll live, but the way the rest of them reacted, it’s like they were planning his fucking funeral. Cristian ismineand his ruling stands.”
“You’ve lost your mind,” Luca whispers, his eyes widening. “And let me guess…when you chose Cristian’s side in this, you didn’t explain why to Lio, or take any time to reassure him? What—did you just throw him in the black room?”
Scoffing, I cross my arms. “There’s no black room. They tore it out in case the cops came with a warrant, which they did. But fuck, yes, if it was still here, Emilio would have found his ass in it.”
“Then how did you punish him? I know you did. He wouldn’t have left until you made it deeply personal.”
I glance away. “I reminded him of his place—under me.”
The silence builds between us, but I refuse to break it. Finally, he does, but as his soft words echo through the room, they send chills down my skin. “I swear to God, if you tell me you raped him…”
“He needed reminding that I own him. Always.”
“You can't even say it, can you? How does it feel knowing you're no better than Peter? After everything Lio has gone through, and how much he's stood by you when you don't deserve it…” Luca’s voice is thick with emotion, and I finally turn my attention back to him. “Don’t you get it? He would have done anything for you—fuck, he always has.”
“I don't fucking need this. I know you want to leave, but I need you here, at least for a bit. Are you going to help me bring them to heel or not?”
“I never thought I'd see this day. And you've done some fucked up things. No. There's no way in hell I'd put him through that. I'll put you in the ground before I help you terrorize the one person who has truly loved you. I finally know what love is, and he was completely devoted to you.” The machines measuring hisvitals start spitting out a warning as he drags himself further up the bed, so he can sit up straight. “I want you to get out, but there's one more thing before you go. When you go to bed alone—or fuck, for all I know, warm Cristian’s bed—I want you to think about how you tossed away all that was good in your life. Think of that when the memories seep in. Because while you're thinking of revenge? The man you swore you loved left while you were unconscious. Not because he's a coward—but because you are.”
I turn on my heel, not giving him the satisfaction of saying anything, and push out the door as Doc and Soren are standing to come in to check on my ex-Boy. I hold up my hand, refusing to say anything. Not now. Not when I feel like my entire being has been ripped open. Not when I’m unsure if my soul will ever unfreeze again. Because I can’t say the words aloud—the words that verify just how right Luca is about this. And worse? That I do know.
I know exactly what I lost, because Emilio took the only good part of me and walked right out of that door. How the hell do I even begin to live without him? How the fuck do I put one foot in front of the other, when he’s the one who is usually right by my side?
Fuck. The only thing I can do is hope he comes home, because this is home for him—he belongs with me, and I belong with him. I close my eyes and clench my teeth, as I can hear the echo of my father’s laughter, mocking me for my weakness. I was kidnapped and now I’m hurting over a man? Fuck, what the hell is happening to me…
Love. I shudder. No, I can’t go there. Luca may be right, but I don’t have to give in to the twisted emotions that urge me to go to Emilio and beg, to make more of a fool of myself than I already have. I can’t dishonor my family name any further.
Iitch to stick a scalpel inside Allesandro, but right now, my patient is more important.
“You fucking idiot,” I say, rolling my eyes as I stare down at Luca while sweat dots his forehead and his breathing is heavy from exertion.
Soren and I help him slide back down the bed, and make sure he's comfortable before I toss his blanket aside.
“Get the ultrasound and x-ray prepped, please,” I instruct Soren as I do a visual check, before palpating Luca’s abdomen to make sure I can't feel anything abnormal.
“I'm fine,” he bitches.
“You're a dumbass, who is going to end up reinjuring yourself. I got your bleeding under control, but I don't want to risk you causing further damage. I'll never hear the end of itfrom Sarah if I have to open you up because you're a fucking idiot who caused yourself internal bleeding.”
He snorts. “I'm surprised she's not in here fussing over me.” I give him a look and he curses. “Lio took Dr. Ranlen with him?” He huffs a laugh. “Of course, he did.”
“We’re the only ones that stayed,” I tell him. “Well, us and our family. Now, hold still.”
Thankfully, the ultrasound is the same as it was earlier—no signs of further bleeding. The x-ray also doesn’t show any more cracking or shifting of his ribs, so some of my worry eases. Doesn’t mean I let him off the hook, though.
“I stayed to make sure you didn’t die, but if you insist on making that impossible, I will walk away. I only have two nurses with me—I sent everyone else with Dr. Ranlen. I have a physical therapist, too, but right now, I want you to rest more before he does any work with you.”
Not only that, I’m not sure when Dominic will be up for work. His concussion was mild, but I don’t want him to push any harder than he needs to. And I’d rather not call Jayden in if I can help it. The less people I care about around here, the better. If I thought the trips would leave Soren, I’d have sent them with everyone else.
“I can’t be the reason you stayed,” Luca says. “I know what everyone thinks of me.” I quirk an eyebrow and he huffs. “I didn’t say I don’t deserve the reputation, but… I’m hoping to get the chance to tell them how sorry I am for it all before I have to go back home.”
Soren and I exchange a look. “Is this not your home?”
