Page 107 of Kissing the Villain

“He’s dead,” I whispered. “Isn’t he?”

Luca took my hand, his fingers soft and warm against mine. “No, baby. He pulled through. Your grandfather saved Marcello.”

I released a deep breath and rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. My heart raced, and I suddenly desired to climb out of bed. But when I tried, Luca held me down.

“You need to rest.”

“No.” I shoved his hand away. “I want to see Marcello.”

“He’s out cold, Drea.” His knuckles brushed my cheek. “Just lie back and let me take care of you.”

“I’m fine.” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up. “Let me see him.”

Luca stepped to the side, and Marcello’s bed came into focus. He was in the hospital bed beside mine with his eyes closed. I could see his chest rise and fall, and I sighed.

He survived.

I slid my legs off the side of the bed and staggered to the right, which forced Luca to grab my bicep to hold me up.

“Drea, you’ve been out cold for close to twenty-four hours,” Luca said with a warning tone. “The drugs are still in your system. You need your rest.”

I clutched his shoulder, fighting the dizziness sweeping over me. “What the hell did you give me? I feel like shit.”

He shrugged. “A cocktail your doctor gave me.”

I pushed my hand to his chest, and my head lowered as I regained my balance. “Dr. Porter gave it to you?”

“Yeah, baby.” He hooked his arm around me, pinning me to his chest. “So you need to take it easy until the drugs wear off. It was a heavy dose.”

My mouth hung open in shock. “Why would you drug me?”

“Because I didn’t want you to see what was happening to Marcello.”

“He’s alive,” I breathed, saying the words to comfort myself.

“Yes.” He stroked my arm with his fingers. “And he’ll stay that way if you let him sleep.”

“I’ve been out for a day, and he still hasn’t woken up?”

He shook his head. “Your grandfather said he might never wake up.”

“But,” I choked out, tears streaming down my cheeks. “That’s not… No, he has to wake up.”

“Marcello could wake up a minute from now… or never. It’s too early to tell. At least he’s breathing, and his brain function looks good.”

“His heart stopped, didn’t it?”

“Yeah, baby.” He held the back of my head, running his fingers through my curls. “He died on the table twice, but your grandfather revived him.”

“But he promised me,” I sobbed. “He said he would come back…”

“Shhh,” Luca whispered as he held me tighter. “It’s going to be okay.”

“No, it’s not,” I muttered between crying fits. “Not if he dies.”

I pushed on his chest, ripping myself from his arms so I could see Marcello. Luca attempted to stop me, but I shoved his hands away.

He’s just sleeping, I told myself.He will wake up.

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