Page 43 of Under His Watch

It wasn’t the need for intimacy in bed, nor was this another expression of my gratitude for his saving me.

It was love. My heart wouldn’t go on if I was taken from him too soon.

Fortunately, the nurse and techs realized that I wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“All right. This way.”

With a streamline of commotion and haste, Romeo was wheeled inside. I rushed to keep up with them, but I caught sight of Franco lingering back by his car, his phone to his ear. He noticed me and waved, indicating for me to stick with Romeo.

And that was just what I did. I ran alongside the gurney, following the crew inside and praying that they wouldn’t be too late to save him and wake him up.

He had to wake up.

He just had to, and as soon as he did, I had an awful lot of honest words to share with him.

I ran, watching his face as the medical techs began to take over and tell each other what to do.

Please, Romeo. I think I might already love you. And I can’t lose you.

17

ROMEO

Iwoke up and found my father scrolling on his phone. He wore a loopy, smug smile, and I rolled my eyes at the fact that he was likely checking out a naughty text from Nina while I lay here suffering.

Actually…I tensed my back and felt less pain shooting down my arm.It’s not that bad.

For the whole night, I was in and out of consciousness. They must have given me something basic for a sedation because I wasn’t overly groggy and nauseated from having surgery.

“I’m bleeding to death and you’re sexting your fiancée?” I joked as I lifted my free hand to rub my face.

He cleared his throat, putting his phone down as he faced me. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m no longer bleeding to death.”

He nodded. “They stitched you up quickly. You passed out from the blood loss, but they determined you didn’t need a transfusion.”

That was good news. Maybe that meant I would be out of here sooner than later. I hated to be idle, and with the threat of what landed me in here, I was determined to stay active in protecting my family.

And Tess.

“Where’s Tess?” Now that I was awake, someone had to clue me in. The last person I recalled wanting to see, the last one I’d been with, was her.

“She just stepped outside in the hallway.” He stood, arching his back and smiling down at me. “You gave her a scare, but she’s not as weak as she looks.”

I furrowed my brow.Who’s saying that she looks weak?

“She’s been in here the entire time.” His lips quirked up into a twist. “She told them that she was your fiancée to be allowed to stay at your side.”

I raised my brows. I had to have fallen when I passed out, but I didn’t remember hitting my head.

“She confided in me and Franco that it was a lie. Something she said just to stay with you.”

I nodded. “If I proposed, you’d know.”

“Would I?” He clasped his hands in front of him and peered at me. “You’ve been alone with her and getting close.”

“Not to the point of making her mine,” I argued.But I would if I knew she’d accept me.

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