Page 139

Something rough yet gentle glides over the back of my hand in a slow, soothing caress, making my eyelids flutter open. I’m greeted by the warm glow of a few dim lights in a room I recognize, as rhythmic beeping echoes beside me. I turn my cheek into the pillow, my lips curving the moment I find him. The man who has changed my life in more ways than I knew possible.

“Hi,” I whisper.

Alex’s stormy-grey eyes connect with mine. Relief washes over his features as he stands, his grip on my hand tightening. His free hand cradles my cheek, his touch igniting warmth across my cool skin. “Fiorellina,” he breathes as if he’s been waiting for this moment for too long.

“What happened?” I ask, looking around the room. “The last thing I remember is…” I swallow hard as the memory of shooting and killing Garrett flashes over me. I did it… I really did it. But even holding the memory of his lifeless body slumped against the chair, I still find it impossible that he’s actually gone.

No longer able to hurt me.

“You passed out.” A slight frown forms on his face, his brows deeply furrowed. “Doctor Rose checked over your head injury. Said you most likely suffered a grade one concussion.” His hand softly glides over one of the bruises on my arm before stilling. “Does anything hurt?”

I take a second to shift against the mattress, stretching from my toes upward, noting any discomfort. “Maybe just a little sore, but everything feels minor considering what happened.”

He nods, his eyes softening. “The tracker has been removed. We were able to locate it with a sensor. It wasn’t deep, so a numbing cream was used.” My lips part, my heart beating faster. “I was by your side the whole time.” The tips of his fingers carefully brush over a bandage on my forearm I hadn’t even noticed. “You don’t need to worry anymore.”

Relief swiftly spreads through me.

All this time I had no idea Garrett had put a tracker in me.

Not in my wedding band, but in…me.

I can only assume he did it during one of the times he drugged me. But when he told me… I felt like I was being violated all over again.

Tears well in my eyes. “So…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “He’s really gone?”

“He is.” He sits on the side of the bed, his hand finding mine, providing me with his strength. “I’m so proud of you, Fiorellina. Not just for killing him, but for being brave and facing him with no fear in your eyes.”

“I don’t know.” My fingers tighten around his. “He was already dying, but then I…” I fight back tears that try desperately to escape. “Why is there a small part of me that feels guilty for what I did?”

He cups my face. “Look at me.”

My eyes find his.

“If you hadn’t pulled that trigger, I was going to do it again and again and again, making sure he found his place in Hell before the night was over.” He leans forward, pressing his temple to mine. “People who enjoy taking a life never wonder if they should have. But there’s so much good in you, even after everything you’ve been through, which is why it will take you some time to come to terms with how things ended.” He brushes his lips against mine. “I need you to remember one thing. You killed a monster. Not a man.” He lets out a breath, his eyes closing. “He enjoyed hurting you. He found satisfaction in making you feel small and worthless when you are the light that this dark world needs.” He presses his lips to mine, and I savor his taste. “You killed him and made the world a little brighter in doing so.”

“I know,” I breathe. “You’re right. I just might need you to remind me now and then.” I reach up, wiping my hand over my cheek. “Thank you for being by my side the whole time.”

He leans down to brush his lips across mine. “That’s where I’ll always be.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips, and I relish every second of it before pulling back.

“I’m sorry about Tommaso.” I place my palm on his cheek, his eyes closing as he melts into my touch. “I didn’t know him for very long, but he was always smiling and so kind.” I worry my lip between my teeth. “I know how much he meant to you, and I’m sorry that you lost him.”

He nods, turning his face into my hand and pressing a kiss to my skin. “He was more than just an employee to me.” He opens his eyes. “He was my friend.” A defeated sigh escapes him. “I’ve reserved a spot for him in my family’s cemetery and have informed his family, ensuring they’re well taken care of.”

My thumb glides over his stubble. “That is very generous of you.”

He shakes his head. “Money won’t bring him back. But I can at least honor him by making sure his family has everything they need in life.”

His heart is far bigger than he’ll ever realize.

I lean up and press my lips to his, wishing I could tug his strong body against mine.

Hesitantly, he pulls back and regards me. “As much as I would love to continue this, you should get some rest.”

“I will. But first… Can I see Clara?”

A grin tugs at his lips. “Of course you can. She’s out in the hall with the others.”

“The others?”