"That's going to make high school interesting."
"I don't care. They're going to be safe. You're both going to be safe." His voice broke. "I'm never letting anything happen to either of you again."
I cupped his face in my hands. "What happened wasn't your fault."
"I should have protected you better."
"You protected me perfectly. Vincent is handled. I'm alive. Our baby is safe. You did everything right." I kissed him softly. "Stop blaming yourself for a desperate man's desperate actions."
He kissed me back, gentle and thorough, pouring everything he couldn't say into it.
When we pulled apart, I had more questions.
"My friends. Are they okay?"
"All fine. Karla's shoulder is healing well. The others are shaken up but physically unharmed. They've been taking turns sitting with you when I had to leave the room." He smiled slightly. "Imani threatened to castrate me if anything happened to you."
"That sounds like her."
"And Marco's been here every day. I think he's more worried about Imani than you, honestly."
Despite everything, I felt myself smile. "They're really into each other, aren't they?"
"Disgustingly so." He stood and poured me more water. "Marco's talking about her like crazy."
"Really?"
"Really. He's never been like this with anyone before. It's..." He trailed off, looking thoughtful. "It's like watching myself three months ago. Falling fast and hard for someone he barely knows but can't imagine living without."
"And how did that work out for you?" I asked.
"Pretty damn well." He kissed my forehead. "Married to the love of my life, with a baby on the way. Can't complain."
"Even though I come with corporate drama and homicidal uncles?"
"Especially because of that. Keeps things interesting."
I laughed, then winced as the movement sent pain through my head.
"Easy," Dez said immediately.
A knock at the door interrupted us. Dr. Patterson entered, smiling when he saw me awake.
"Mrs. Moretti. Good to see you conscious. How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck."
"That's about right. You took a significant blow to the head." He pulled out a penlight. "I need to do a quick neuro check. Can you follow this light with your eyes?"
I did, wincing at the brightness.
"Good. Any nausea? Dizziness?"
"A little dizzy when I move too fast."
"Normal. That should improve over the next few days." He made notes on his chart. "I want to keep you here for observation for another twenty-four hours. If everything staysstable, you can go home tomorrow with strict instructions to rest."
"She'll rest," Dez said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."
