I pulled her closer, kissing her forehead, her cheeks, anywhere I could reach, whispering whatever words of comfort and love came to mind. Her body slowly softened in my arms.
When we got to the hospital, I carried her in myself, didn’t let anyone else touch her. I stayed right beside her as the doctors examined her. Not even for a second did I look away.
Those hours dragged on like days. But when the doctor finally told me they were both okay, I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
But I still couldn’t breathe easy. I didn’t trust the hospital, not after what we’d survived only hours ago. Just like I did after the last attack years ago, I had one of our suites at the hotel converted into a fully-equipped medical unit. Within twelve hours, I moved her there.
I needed to control the environment.
I needed her safe.
And I wasn’t going to sleep until I knew she was.
***
I was sitting by her bed, staring at her peaceful face, still struggling to believe how lucky I was. A faint frown creased her beautiful brows, and I knew she was caught in another nightmare.
I took her hand, kissed her palm gently, and ran my fingers through her hair. It seemed to work, the frown slowly faded away.
A few soft knocks broke the silence, and the door opened. Maxim stepped in, holding a sandwich in one hand. He motioned for me to follow him into the suite’s living room, and I reluctantly stood up. Once we got there, he handed me the sandwich and cut me off before I even spoke.
“You haven’t eaten or slept in over forty-eight hours. I don’t care how much of a beast you are, you still need food and sleep to stay alive. So eat.”
I gave him a look but dropped onto the couch and took a bite.
“What’s the update on Brando?” I asked between chews.
“He’s good. Bullet passed through, missed anything vital.”
“Did you ID the bodies?”
“Four of our underbosses were among them. We’ll get the fifth soon. Even if he’s hiding under a rock, I’ll drag him out. I’ve already got his family.”
I nodded, satisfied.
“And Brando ID’d the hotel staff who sprayed that cologne on Emily’s jacket. He’s a bellboy,” he added.
A growl escaped my throat. “Don’t touch him. He’s mine to tear apart.”
He just nodded. “When can we take Emily home?” He asked after a short pause.
“Tomorrow. But we’ll spend a few days at her apartment. She needs to feel safe, away from the crowd.”
“I still can’t believe she was ready to die with you. I had to drag her to the car. You, Carlo, are the most ruthless bastard on the planet… and somehow, you ended up with Emily.”
I ran a hand through my hair, the memory of that moment still raw. “If I ever see Tony again, the first thing I’ll do is thank him for bringing Emily into my life. Then I’ll tear him apart.”
Maxim laughed, a rare, full-throated sound. “That day will come. The world needs to remember, no one crosses Don Carlo and lives to tell the tale.”
Emily sat in the chair, her hair still damp, a towel wrapped around her chest while the nurse carefully changed the bandage on her shoulder.
When we got home, she’d insisted on taking a hot shower and I hadn’t stopped her. I knew how particular she was about feeling clean. But seeing the brutal stitches carved into her flawless skin made my fists clench with rage.
She must’ve noticed the storm building in me, because she reached for my hand, that soft, reassuring smile instantly calming me. Once the nurse left, I grabbed the towel and gently dried her hair myself. She sat quietly, watching me through the mirror.
When her hair was dry, I couldn’t help myself. I leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder. Her soft sigh sent a jolt straight to my cock, making me hard instantly.
I stood up quickly, trying to shake it off. Then she stood too and let the towel drop. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. She stood on her toes and reached for me.
