I shrugged, “The pain let me know I was alive. What else?”
“You’re going to have a scar on your side from the knife wound, but somehow through everything, the baby is fine.”
“I made sure I protected him; I never allowed them to get to my abdomen.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to when you called, then you didn’t call, and well, all hell broke loose.”
“Imagine my shock when Trixie blurted it out when I got home.” He pulled down the blankets that were covering me, and I realized I was naked. A shiver ran through me, damn him for keeping his room colder than a freezer. Gently, he placed his massive hand on my stomach, and the warmth from it chased away the cold.
“Nico, why am I naked?”
“Because you’re in my bed.” He slid his hand up my body and cupped my cheek. “You know you’re not allowed to wear clothes in my bed. And it was easier for the doctor to examine you we don’t have a plethora of hospitals gowns laying around.” He leaned over and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle, the most gentle kiss he’d ever given me, and I hated it. Nico wasn’t a gentle lover; it was something I had no idea I’d ever desired. But this chased kiss wasn’t it. “Why are you frowning?”
“Who the hell are you kissing?”
“Well, I think you.”
“If you’re going to kiss me, Niccolò Venosa, you better fucking kiss me.”
“God, I’ve missed you.” He lowered his head and forcefully pressed his lips to mine, forcing his tongue into my mouth, taking what he wanted. Five days had passed since I’d kissed this man, and even longer since he’d been away before I’d been taken. A knock on the door caused him to pull away abruptly. “Come in,” he said as he pulled the sheets up over my body.
“Doctor Kingston, said you were awake, so I figured you would both be hungry.” Camilla walked through the door with a large tray. She set it down on the table before turning to look at me. “Oh my darling, we’ll get you strong.” She rushed to the side of the bed and basically pushed Nico out of the way, placing her hands ever so gently on the sides of my face. “Anything you want, you let me know. You gave us a scare.” The kind old woman shook her head, and tears filled her eyes.
“Camilla, I’m going to need foods higher in folic acid,” I said quickly, glancing over at Nico, who nodded his approval.
“Of course, it will help your healing.” She nodded, and then the realization of my statement hit her. “Oh my child, you’re going to have a baby.” Tears flowed freely now, and she hugged me as tight as she thought she dared. Letting me go, she turned to Nico and embraced him as well. “A father, something I’ve longed to see you as.” She let him go and patted his face. Sighing, she left the room and quietly closed the door.
“I’m sorry, I should have asked you if it was okay to tell her.”
“She’ll want to make sure you’re getting everything you need; it’s right for her to know.”
“Help me to the table.” I shifted on the bed and attempted to sit up.
“Stay, I will bring the food to you.” He gently pressed me back to the bed.
“No, I want to get up. The doctor didn’t say I had to lay in bed.”
“Ok, roll on to your side.” I did as he said, and I could feel the stitches pull, and I groaned. “Now I’m going to pull your legs off the bed.” He did everything with so much care. He wrapped his strong arm around my shoulders and sat me up effortlessly. The room spun, and I blinked until it stopped. “Ready?” I nodded, and Nico helped me stand.
“I’m never going to take getting out of bed for granted again.” I smiled slightly and took a few shaky steps, leaning on my husband for support. Sitting at the table, I felt like I’d accomplished a great thing.
“We need to discuss a few things.” His words were heavy, and a heaviness fell over me.
CHAPTER 37
NICO
“Where’s my father?”She asked, knowing exactly what I wanted to talk about.
“The men dealt with his body, and he’s resting at the sewage plant south of the city.” I couldn’t help but smirk.
“My mother?”
“She was protecting your father, and listing all the things she’d wished she let your father do to you, and I killed her.” She didn’t even flinch, didn’t look up from the plate in front of her. But I watched her shoulders sag more than I thought possible. “We’ve held her service, made it look like your father killed her, and I’ll take you to where she’s resting when you’re well, if you want. I’m sorry we didn’t feel we could wait.” I watched her face, and she flinched as much as she could with the swelling.
“I understand. You had to show you were in control.”
