I haven’t mentioned it to anyone, and I don’t think I ever will, but the bullet could’ve hit Adriano in the middle of his chest if my arm wasn’t in the way.
The thought makes icy chills spread over my body, and I feel a sense of loss even though he wasn’t shot.
It’s as if I’m mourning the split-second difference where I was too late, and Marco shot Adriano in the chest.
It didn’t happen, though.
Maybe it’s because I’m grieving the loss of Elise that I’m struggling to stop thinking about the what ifs.
I’ve fallen so hard and fast for Adriano, I really don’t want to live without him. I’ve done that, and it sucked ass.
Emotions pour into my chest, everything from gratefulness to love.
“Hey?”
My head snaps up, and seeing the man of my dreams taking a seat on the side of the bed, a concerned look on his face, I burst out in tears.
The shock of having a gun pressed to my head, Adriano almost getting shot, and the strain the entire horrible episode took on my body overwhelms me.
“Amore mio,” he murmurs lovingly while engulfing me in his arms.
I press my palm to the center of his chest as a sob escapes me, wishing I could weld myself permanently to him to act as a shield against anyone who wants to harm him.
“Why the tears?”
“I almost lost you,” I whimper against his shirt. He presses kisses to my hair, his grip on me too gentle, so I complain, “Hold me like you mean it.”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he argues.
Not happy at all, I push away from him, but then he moves forward, and placing his hand behind my head, he locks me to his body in a firm embrace that feeds my soul.
“Don’t be angry with me,” he says, his tone hoarse. “Please.” He gives me more kisses. “I’m sorry. That was stupid of me. I’ll crush you all you want.”
“You better.”
A chuckle rumbles from him, then he asks, “How do you feel?”
“Okay. Bored.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I wanna go home.”
“Doc says you have to stay at least three more days. You lost too much blood, and he wants to keep an eye on the wound to your arm.” Adriano pulls back a little and cups my cheeks, wiping the tears from them. “So no begging me to take you home. Your health comes above all else.”
“Fine,” I mumble. “Can I at least get my phone? Then I can read or play games.”
“I’ll bring it later.”
He stares at me for a long moment, as if he’s trying to see inside me to ensure I’m okay, and it just makes me love him so much more.
“With everything that’s happened, I never got to tell you about the wedding gift I have for you.”
“Adriano! You’ve already given me everything I could ever need.”
Hell, I haven’t even touched the ten million.
He tucks some hair behind my ear, something dark creeping into his eyes. “I paid Heather a visit.”
My eyebrows fly into my hairline. “What?!”
“I had my men trash the place, and I put the fear of God in her until she wet herself.”
