Page 97 of Mafia Darling

I wasn’t going to argue. If I did, they would only watch me more carefully. “Then I want a way to talk to him. Set up a video feed in that hospital room.”

“I can do that,” Marco said.

“What about Zia? She won’t like being kept from him, either.”

Marco shifted on his feet, evading my gaze. Giulio rolled his lips together tightly, his shoulders growing tight like he was bracing for impact.

“Oh, I see.” I gave a brittle laugh. “Zia’s allowed to go but I’m not. Sure, that makes sense.”

“You’re pregnant,” Giulio snapped. “And his wife, which makes you a target. You can’t seriously think Zia is in the kind of danger you are.”

I resisted the urge to yell at him. This was not Giulio’s doing. I knew exactly who was responsible. Fausto was making decisions again without consulting me, that controlling asshole.

And if he thought I would obey blindly like a weak little wife, then he obviously didn’t know me very well.

“I have more work to do anyway to prepare for tomorrow,” I told them as I walked toward the door. “Let me know if you need any more help with Vic.”

“Frankie, promise me,” Giulio said to my back.

I crossed my fingers in front of me, where he couldn’t see. “I promise. See you later, G.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Francesca

A nurse was in Fausto’s room, reading his vitals, when I walked in. His heart machine started beeping wildly when he saw me.

“Ma che cazzo?” Fausto rasped.

“Hello, husband.” I walked over to the bed, ignoring the dark glare he sent my way. “How does he seem today, Angela?”

“Much better, signora. No sign of infection and he is gaining his energy back.”

“Oh, good.” I smiled at him and leaned in to kiss his cheek, which was now coated with whiskers. “Ciao, baby.”

Fausto was absurdly attractive when he was clean-shaven, but that was nothing compared to how hot he looked with a beard. There were even some gray hairs in his scruff, which gave him a daddy vibe I definitely dug. I would beg him to keep some facial hair when he felt up to playing with me again.

“You are not supposed to be here,” he said when the nurse walked out.

“And yet, here I am.”

“I should call Marco and have him lock you up in the dungeon.”

“But you won’t because they are busy with other things that are more important than me.”

“Nothing is more important than you.”

“Aw, that’s sweet.” I pressed my lips to his. Even though he didn’t have much energy for kissing, I still liked the warmth of his mouth, the feel of his breath on me. The reminder that he was still here.

“Who brought you?”

“I’m not telling you.” I knew better than to rat out my accomplice. I dragged an armchair closer to the bed. “Maybe I drove myself.”

“If you did, then I will spank your ass, moglie.”

“You’d have to catch me first, marito.”

“I won’t always be in this hospital bed. Then I will make you pay.”

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