It’s mundane and ordinary and absolutely perfect.
A week later, they finally discharge us both from the hospital.
I’ve healed faster than expected. The shoulder’s going to need months of physical therapy, but the other wounds are closing well. Gigi’s gunshot wound is healing beautifully, and the baby is still showing strong and healthy on the ultrasounds.
Viktor sends a convoy to bring us home with three armored SUVs, eight security personnel, and the full protective detail. Overkill, maybe, but with Gigi pregnant and both of us still recovering, I’m not taking any chances.
The estate looks different somehow as we pull through the gates. Maybe because the last time I was here, Gigi was my captive. Now she’s my wife in truth, carrying my child, coming home because she wants to.
Danny has the household staff lined up to greet us. The staff look tearful and relieved, the security team standing at attention, even the gardeners pause their work to watch us arrive.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Marchetti,” Flora says warmly, and I see Gigi’s surprise at the genuine affection in the housekeeper’s voice. “We’re so glad you’re both safe.”
“Thank you, Flora.” Gigi’s voice is soft. “It’s good to be home.”
Home. She called ithome.
I help her out of the SUV, keeping one hand at her back even though she’s perfectly capable of walking on her own. I can’t help it. The need to touch her, to make sure she’s real and safe, is overwhelming.
We make it up to our bedroom and Gigi immediately heads for the windows overlooking the gardens.
“It’s beautiful,” she says, and there’s wonder in her voice. “I never really looked at it before. I was always too angry or scared to appreciate it.”
“You can change anything you want,” I tell her, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. My hands rest on her stomach, still flat but not for much longer. “Redecorate, renovate, tear it all down and start over. This is your home now. I want you to feel comfortable here.”
She leans back against me. “I want to turn one of the spare rooms into a nursery.”
“Done. Pick whichever room you want.”
“And I want to open a new veterinary clinic. Not right away, but eventually. Maybe when the baby’s older.”
“Also done.” I press a kiss to her neck. “Whatever you want, Gigi. It’s yours.”
She turns in my arms to face me, her face soft and full of emotion. “I want you. That’s all I really want. You and our baby.”
“Then that’s what you’ll have.” I seal the promise with a kiss. “I swear it.”
Later, after Gigi has taken a nap and I’ve caught up on a week’s worth of business calls, I pull out my phone and dial a number I had Danny track down for me.
It rings three times before a woman answers. “Hello?”
“Katie Carmichael?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral.
There’s a pause. “Who is this?”
“My name is Luca Marchetti. I’m Gigi’s husband.”
The pause that follows is longer, loaded with all the things she’s probably thinking but not saying. When she speaks again, her voice is ice-cold. “If you’ve hurt her?—”
“She’s fine. She’s safe. She’s here at home with me.” I cut off whatever threat she was about to make. It’s cute she thinks she could actually hurt me. “And she wants to see you.”
Another pause. “Why would you let me see her?”
“Because she’s my wife, not my prisoner. And because she loves you and misses you, and I’m not going to be the reason she loses people who matter to her.” I take a breath. “I know you have no reason to trust me. I know what you must think of me based on what you know. But Gigi is choosing to be here. And if you care about her at all, you’ll come see that for yourself.”
“How do I know this isn’t a trap?” Katie’s voice is suspicious and protective. Good. Gigi needs people who will protect her, even from me if necessary.
I shrug, tapping my pen against the desk. “You don’t. But I’m giving you my word that no harm will come to you while you’re in my home. You’ll be my guest, and guests are sacred.” I pause. “Tomorrow afternoon, two o’clock. I’ll send a car for you.”
