We go into Luca’s private room where he’s asleep still. The bandage around his chest reminds me of where he got shot. How he almost died. It’s a miracle he didn’t.
I break down into tears seeing him this way. My strong husband. The one who lived life with logic but threw it all away to save my life. I’ve never had someone be this selfless for me.
I know in this moment that if Luca makes it through this, I will love him. I will always make it work with him.
“Nina,” Susanna says softly. It’s a tone of voice I’ve never really heard from her before. She pulls me into her arms. “I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
“I know I’ve never been there for you. But… learning how you almost died… it changed something inside of me. I realized I was being petty. I’m sorry I was making life harder for you. I don’t want to lose you, ever.”
“Are you really going to change your attitude?” I ask, wiping my tears away.
She huffs. “I wasn’t that bad, was I?”
I give her a look and she bows her head.
“I know,” she admits. “I’m not exactly a good person. And I know I’ll always have a bit of an attitude. But I don’t want that with you. I was angry that Luca chose you over me but it wasn’t your fault and I never should have taken it out on you. I’m sorry. If Luca makes it through this, I’ll support you two. I won’t get in the way. I know you want to be better than me.”
“It’s not about being better. It’s about growing and maturing. That’s what I want for both of us. Luca has helped me see that. He’s always wanted to help me in some way. His ways of doing that were uncouth, I’ll admit. And it’s not perfect between us. But I want to be the woman he can be proud of because he saved my life. I’m proud of him.”
“I want you to grow too.” She gives me a soft smile. “I wouldn’t mind that as well. Sometimes I get tired being so angry all the time.”
“I know. I’m that way too. So why don’t we promise to let go of our anger? I’m a married woman now. I am going to change. I am going to grow. I want the same for you one day.”
She lets out a shaky breath and nods. “Chances are, I’ll get married too. I’m sure Alek is already planning to marry me off to someone. Maybe it will do me good.”
“I hope so. Sometimes a new person can show you what you need in life.”
Luca’s eyes open at that very moment.
I rush over to his side without even hesitating. “Hey,” I whisper. “You’re ok.”
He stares at me for a long moment before removing the oxygen mask around his mouth. “You’re here. Alive.”
“Because you saved me. Thank you for that.”
“You’re my wife. It’s what a husband does.”
“I know. It’s just…” I wasn’t sure, given how aloof Luca could be at times. Our first time having sex proved that to me. He wouldn’t look me in the eye. Things need to change between us.
He takes my hand. “I will always fight for you, Nina. I promise you that.”
“But I don’t want it to get you killed.”
“You care about me that much?”
“I do,” I admit. “But we have a lot to work on.”
“I know. Once I’m healed, I need to go after Gabriel and kill him for what he did.”
“That’s not what I mean. I mean between us.”
“Oh.” He goes quiet for a long moment before he nods. “You’re right. But first, I need to talk to Alek about business. I need to talk to Dimitri too. I could have lost you and I never want that. I need to make sure I make an alliance that protects you at all costs.”
“You don’t want to lose me because I’m your wife?”
He cups my face. “I don’t want to lose you because of you, Nina. Because I care for you in a way I’ve never cared for anyone. You were just a political gain for me at first but it’s different now. I know that. I mean that.”
