Page 123 of Roman

I turned my head, studying Effie. I didn’t like seeing her in a chair. “She needs to be recuperating as well.”

“I’ll let you pick that fight. She is stubborn and would not leave this room.” A grin pulled at his lips. “She even backtalked Nonna.”

“My little tiger.”

“She is.”

“When can I get out of here?”

“You just woke up,” Effie’s voice interrupted us. I turned my head, meeting her violet-blue gaze. There were circles under her eyes, and she looked upset. She glanced at Aldo. “Which means you should have woken me.”

Aldo looked at me with a wink. “I’ll go find the doctor now. Give you two a few moments.”

He left, and Effie unfurled herself from the chair. Her movements were stiff, and she tried to hide her grimace but failed.

“You should be in bed.”

“And you should be quiet and resting. Not interrogating Aldo.” She stood and tugged at the blanket. “What do you need?”

I smiled at her. “You.”

Instantly, her bravado failed, and her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Roman,” she whispered brokenly. “You have me.”

I lifted my arm, pulling her down gently so our faces were close. “I know.”

“You do?”

“I heard you, Effie. Before I passed out, while I was out. I kept hearing your voice telling me you loved me. Begging me to stay.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “How could I resist such a sweet plea?”

A sob escaped her lips, and I shook my head. “Hush. I’m fine. I’m right here.”

She nodded, tears coursing down her cheeks anyway. I wiped them away. “God, I want to kiss you.”

“Why aren’t you?”

“I’ve been out for two days. No doubt I smell horrible, and God knows how my breath⁠—”

She cut me off, pressing her mouth to mine. We kissed gently, our lips moving and sliding, but neither of us deepened the caress. It was a moment of reconnection, of saying hello, of a new, intimate level in our relationship.

She pulled back. “I love you, Roman Costas.”

Her words healed every jagged tear of my heart. Brought life to the parts of it I thought were dead. Filled me with a buoyancy I had never experienced. Despite the pain and exhaustion, I felt alive. Truly alive for the first time in my life.

I stroked her cheek. “I love you, Effie Costas.”

The door opened, and Dr. Sims and Aldo walked in.

I touched her lips. “To be continued.”

EFFIE

The hospital room was finally quiet. Roman was resting, but his face still looked tense. The doctor was pleased he was awake. Aldo was beyond relieved. Roman had spoken with his nonna and brother, assuring them he was doing well. They planned a visit in the morning. Vi came and took Aldo home, bringing me a change of clothes. She helped me shower since my arm hurt to move too much and I still had a headache. She muttered a lot about my bitch of a sister shooting me, and I didn’t argue or defend Marianne.

Roman grumbled about not getting up or being disconnected from all the machines he was on, but Dr. Sims informed him they had removed some of them, and the rest would happen the next day once he was convinced Roman was stable. He was allowed to brush his teeth and have a sponge bath. He complained bitterly to the nurse who did it, informing her his wife would do a far better job. She told him to be quiet and that “his wife” was in no shape to put up with his smart mouth.

He actually listened to her.

He protested about dinner and, while I was showering, spoke to Aldo. Just after Aldo and Vi left, another man appeared, young and eager.