Page 80 of Shield

“Because you’re family,” Tommy says softly, holding his hand out to me. “Come on. Let Dr. Rossi check you out.”

“I’m fine,” I snap. “I’m not leaving him.”

It’s my fault that he’s like this, and there’s no way I’m going to let them lock me up in that room again where I can’t help him. Not without a fight.

Tommy nods. “I’ll stay with him until you get back, I promise. He won’t be alone. And if he wakes up, I’ll come get you.”

“We can just go in the room across the hall,” Dr. Rossi says stiffly, gesturing.

“I’M NOT LEAVING HIM!”

The doc takes a half step back, and Tommy raises his hands in surrender. “Okay, Siena. Doc?”

“May I check you out in here, Ms. Bellamorte?” Dr. Rossi’s tone is reserved but persistent. “I would be remiss if I allowed Mr. Dragovari’s… girlfriend to go without medical care after such an ordeal. Just a simple check-up, a few scans, a few tests.”

When I don’t respond, he continues. “Not all injuries are visible, Ms. Bellamorte. Don’t underestimate the body’s ability to shut down to protect the heart.”

“I’m his fiancee,” I grumble, snuggling harder against Matti’s chest even though I know he’s right: Matti would want me checked out. And we’d fight about it. And he would win. Even though he’s not awake, even though I’m furious at him for basically lying to me, I still want to please him. And that’s almost as infuriating as the fact that he kept things from me,huge important things.

When I don’t disagree with the suggestion, Dr. Rossi begins unpacking his bag and organizing items on a tray.

“I’ll step out,” says Tommy, but he pauses at the door. “I’m glad you’re here for him, Siena. He deserves to have an amazing woman like you in his corner. He’s a lucky man.”

“I’m the lucky one,” I whisper.

33

Matti

TWO WEEKS LATER

“Matti?” Siena’s voice comes to me softly through what feels like a tunnel. I blink and she starts to come into focus, her beautiful brown eyes tired but hopeful.

“Hey, kitten.” I croak, my voice rough. I try to lift my arm to brush the hair out of her face, but I’m tethered by tubes and IV lines. “Are you hurt?”

She takes my hand in both of hers, pressing it to her chest. She’s shaking. “No, my love. I’m fine, but you were shot. You had surgery. You’ve been out for a couple of weeks.”

I move my free hand to my stomach, feeling the thin bandage wrapping around to my back, then lay back, closing my eyes for a moment. “Doesn’t seem too serious.”

Dr. Rossi clears his throat, and I open my eyes again. He, Tommy, and Vin are both standing on the other side of my bed.

“You were lucky, Mr. Dragovari. I understand you jumped in front of a bullet. Had your position been different, andthe bullet gone in just a few inches higher, you would have pierced an organ. But as it stands, it was a clean shot, straight through your side. No major damage, but you bled quite a bit. Fortunately, you were brought in quickly enough for me to stop the bleeding in time.”

“That was me,” Vin chimes in, grinning as leans into my sight line over Dr. Rossi’s shoulder. “Never drove faster in my life.”

“You mean you almost got usallkilled trying to save Matti,” scoffs Tommy, but he’s smiling.

Dr. Rossi continues as he removes my IVs. “To be safe, you should take it easy the next couple of weeks. No heavy lifting. Let the internal stitches dissolve, and you should be good as new.”

I grin and slide an arm around Siena. “No heavy lifting, Doc, I promise. Just this girl right here.”

Swatting at me, Siena laughs, and Dr. Rossi stifles a sigh. “Just be careful.”

Grazing a hand over my chest, I feel the Saint Michael’s pendant that my mother gave me. I look up at Siena in surprise, and she gives me a soft smile. “I left it at the penthouse the day of the job. Tommy brought it for me. So your mother could watch over you.”

I squeeze her waist. This woman is everything.

My hand brushes the bandages around my torso, and I peel them up. The bullet wound is completely healed, and I look at Dr. Rossi in confusion. “Why do I have a bandage on?”

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