My mouth opens, and closes again. “Well. I’m not.”
I smile weakly, but his eyes are tracing my face, taking in the cuts and the swellings with dawning horror. “It’s not as bad as it looks, but watch the ribs. They’re broken.”
And I watch as the horror turns to anger. His hands are gentle on my skin as he turns my face to look, his finger tracing the sutures. His voice is low when he finally speaks.
“Who did this to you?”
Covering his hands with mine, I pin him with a stare. “Who do you think?”
Ducking away, I cross to the window and wave to Luc. Dom is hot on my heels, and he glowers out through the glass as Luc tips his hand up, his eyes moving between Dom and I before he slowly walks away.
I collapse onto the couch without thinking, and groan, holding my ribs.
That’s going to be a bitch to heal.
“Coffee first. Then talk. And can you message Dante to let him know I’m alive? He was looking for me with Luc, but Luc lost his phone in the forest.”
When I open my eyes, Dom is staring at me, his arms crossed. “In the forest?”
“Mm.” I carefully poke at my ribs, hissing at the pain. Fuck knows what my face looks like. “I might need an ice pack too. I need to try and get this swelling down before the dons arrive. What time is it?”
“Cat.” Dom kneels in front of me. “Tell me what happened.”
I pause. Try to find the words to explain it. And as the terror starts to rush back in, I slam the door shut, cutting it off. “I… I can’t, Dom.”
My voice is quiet as I meet his gaze. “Don’t ask me. Not right now. I will. But not… not when I need to be as strong as I can be today.”
He runs a hand over his face, before he slowly nods. “Not today, then.”
When I shake my head, he cups my cheek. “Coffee it is. We have time.”
And as he gets up, walking over and pulling open cupboards, the familiar banging ringing it, I savor the feel of having him back. I missed it more than I ever thought I would.
***
Dom shifts to look at me. “Stop that. You’ll open your stitches.”
“I can’t help it,” I mutter. We’re waiting in the Courtyard, our neutral ground, waiting for the five dons to arrive. And the four heirs, since we’re the only ones here.
My finger raises up again and Dom grabs my hand, linking his fingers with mine as he drags it back down to stop me touching it.
“Domenico.”
He gives me an unrepentant look when I glance down to our joined hands. “They’re not here yet.”
I savor the feel of my hand in his for a few more seconds before I pull away. “Any minute.”
Luc arrives first, his eyes scanning my face before he comes to stand beside me. Freshly showered, his hair is slicked back on top, his dark blue shirt tucked into his smart black trousers. “Caterina. How are you feeling?”
Dom steps back, but I can feel his eyes boring into the back of my head. “Perfectly well.”
I’ve taken as many painkillers as I can without tipping myself into an overdose, but I’m struggling. Luc flexes his hands, but he snaps his mouth shut as Stefano crosses over to us.
I’m gratified to see his double take, but he stays silent.
I glance around for Dante.
Wondering if Giovanni will show up. And how he might react to seeing me.
