As I put it on, I give her a gentle kiss.
“When we get back home, you’re sleeping and taking some time off. Your face is marred with the worry you have been in for these last two weeks, Luca. I need you to take care of yourself, so you’ll be here with me for a long time. Are you following?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I jokingly tell her.
“Don’t start that one, you’ll have me standing in wet panties with those two words.”
Her laugh trails behind her as she goes downstairs.
The ride feels like it’s taking forever to get there. I have word that Damian was found and brought back to Two Brothers; he went under for surgery as soon as they got there. His words—that he was shot—are the only things on my mind during this drive. I don’t know exactly where, but all I can do is pray for him.
The ornate gate greets us at the funeral home. Pushing the button, Matteo answers and buzzes us in.
I barely put the car in park before Rowan jumps out, not waiting for me.
I follow her through the back doors, where Matteo is waiting for us.
“Brother.” He holds out his hand, and I shake it.
“Where is he?”
“Come. Also,” he stops and looks back at Rowan and me, “this story just keeps getting even fucking crazier.”
Rowan and I look at each other but follow him.
Entering a sterile room, Damian is in bed, still sleeping.
I hear a sigh of relief from Rowan when her eyes finally landed on him.
She lingers by the door, letting me approach him, giving me the time I need.
New and old bruises mark his beaten-up face. It looks like he’s lost some weight, but he’s breathing. That’s all that fucking matters.
Taking his hand, I wrap mine around his as I say a quiet prayer to God and Lauren.
“I love you, Damian.” I need air, so I exit the room, but squeeze Rowan’s shoulder to let her know I’m okay.
“Fuck.” I let out the breath I’ve been holding in for hours as I walk outside.
“He’ll be fine,” Thomas voice booms from behind me. Turning around, he engulfs me in a bear hug, slapping my back.
“Where the fuck was he?”
Shaking his head, Thomas laughs. “Let’s get a cup of coffee, because you’re going to need it.”
I follow his big ass back inside and to the kitchen, where Matteo is already sitting.
Thomas pours us both a cup as I sit.
“What’s going on?” I ask Matteo, then Thomas.
“This fucking life is crazy,” Matteo says before taking a sip of his coffee.
I look at him, needing him to elaborate more.
“The pin drop he sent to you; he was on Brigg’s property,” Matteo tells me.
I’m confused. “We searched all of them.”
