Page 76 of Deadly Vows

“Boss!” His footsteps falter as he approaches. “Do you need anything? Has Elise seen you yet?” he asks.

I shake my head, immediately coughing when I open my mouth to speak from the dryness of my throat.

How long have I been out?

Romelo is by my side, helping me to the sitting room. Once I’m seated, he quickly moves to bring me a water bottle, and I take it from him, drinking it down until the bottle is empty.

“How long have I been out?” I ask.

My voice is rough from lack of use, even with the water.

“A week,” Romelo says.

I tense, forcing myself to remain calm. That means I’ve been in the hospital long enough for a file to be created on me. And long enough for whoever did this to get a good look at the routine of my subordinates during a time like this.

“What happened? And where the hell is Nicolai?” I ask.

“He’s watching the boy. He was released from the hospital a few days ago,” he says.

My anger slowly builds as Romelo tells me everything that happened. He tells me how Enzo was shot, and Elise pressed my wounds before she knew it was safe. And he tells me who was behind it. It looks like Arianna used her husband’s contacts before she was captured. And while we’ve taken one man to interrogate from the party, it isn’t looking good for us. Someone high up is coming for the Pasquinos courtesy of Arianna—possibly government level.

That must be why she said a storm is coming.

“I want to be out of here within the hour,” I say, standing.

Romelo watches me with concern.

“But you’re not even close to fully healed—”

“I don’t care. I hate hospitals. Have something set up at my home. We’re leaving,” I say.

Romelo stands with me, helping me back to the hospital room I woke up in. And when I step inside, Elise is still asleep. I quietly study her as I sit atop the bed. She could have left me for dead or even attempted to run, but she didn’t. And according to Romelo, she’s been here every day this week by my side. She hasn’t left.

I smile.

I don’t know why she’s had such a change of heart, but I won’t question it. Not when she’s been watching over me while I’ve been asleep. I flinch as I lie on my back, and pain shoots through my chest. I know it will be a stretch to full recovery, but with everything that is coming, I can’t afford to take a break. Not when everything I’ve worked so hard to protect is at stake.

Elise

“Mr. Pasquino, please. You’re not stable—”

“You can’t keep me here against my will. Fuck off.”

I tense as the sound of Luca’s voice penetrates my sleep. My eyes fly open, and I sit up just in time to see the nurse scurrying out of the room to avoid my husband’s wrath. Anger contortsLuca’s expression as he watches her leave the room, and I feel a mix of emotions as I take him in.

I’ve had a week to put everything behind me, yet I still don’t know what emotion to feel to see him awake. So, I try to focus on the relief of him being alive. Whoever plotted against him failed, and my brother and I, regardless of our choices and affiliations, will remain safe.

Luca shifts his attention to me, his expression shifting to excitement when he realizes I am awake. He sits up, attempting to throw his legs over the bed, but I’m up before he can, closing the gap between us.

“No, don’t move. You’re still weak,” I murmur.

As I come to stand next to him, he reaches for my hand, pulling me on top of him and into a tight embrace. My heart beats a little faster as his arms tighten, and after a moment, my own hands slowly brace against his back, pulling him into me.

“I didn’t know what to think when I was on the brink of consciousness. I was so scared they might have gotten you too,” he murmurs against my hair.

He clearly doesn’t remember his words to me as he passed out.

“I knew you cared.”

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