Page 124 of Savage King

So I repeat, "What?"

"I really, really wanted to pee on a stick."

I laugh. There's nothing I wouldn't do for this woman. "I'll send one of the men out to fetch some."

She looks at me, aghast. I love the way her eyes grow wide and her mouth opens, but no words seem to come to her yet. "What?"

Horror crosses her features. "No! You can't… no… don't…" her face turns a few shades of pink, and I can't resist any longer but to press my lips to hers. Her arms fling around me as she responds as only she does to me. I push all thoughts of how I nearly lost her away from me, driven by the need to be inside her—for us to be one.

Two days later…

The last couple of days were horrific. Telling mothers, fathers, and wives that their son or husband died doesn't get easier the more times you do it. The last time was just as terrible as the first. Antonio looks just as worn as I feel. Despite my guilt rearing up now and then, I still think he has it worse because he knew the men who died. Which makes me feel even guiltier. I decide to make a point of meeting all the guards, learning their names and histories as far as they're willing to share them. It's the least I can do.

Last night, Antonio and VitointerrogatedNestor. A scary part of me wanted to ask Antonio if I could come too, but I swallowed that request down as soon as it made its way into my brain. I'm not that kind ofbad girl, yet. Maybe never.

I've talked to my dad every day, but he doesn't know that Antonio and I are married; that's something I want to tell him in person. Antonio still wants us to have a big wedding once this is over, and Gigi and I have already spent countless hours online checking for venues, dresses, and all the other kinds of planning that go into a wedding.

Today, I'm going to see Doctor Vandercamp in New York City for my first pregnancy appointment.

Since Carlos knows now that I'm alive and Antonio's wife, there is no reason for me to hide anymore. I still can't see my dad because he's the sequestered one now, but we're going to St. Raphael's, where my friend Elli works.

It's also the hospital to which Antonio had our injured men flown and where Marcello is still fighting for his life.

It's my first official time outside in weeks where I can actually show my face in public, and I'm mostly excited, but I'm a little apprehensive after Gigi's and my ordeal a few days ago.

As usual, Antonio can read my emotions perfectly. "Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch, passerotta, I swear."

"I know, I'm just a little nervous," I confess. Not just because of Carlos, but also because visiting the injured men and talking to their families will be as draining, even if not as heartbreaking, as our last visits were. I'm also nervous about seeing Dr. Vandercamp. And yes, I'm also nervous about seeing Elli.

"What am I going to tell her?" I fret in the helicopter.

"The truth." Antonio grins at me. "That you've fallen madly in love with me. You don't have to tell her we're married, yet, if youdon’t want to. " He grabs my hands and moves my ring from the left to the right. "There, you're engaged, Mrs. DeLuna."

I smack his upper arm, and he laughs when I wave my hand. "Did you hurt yourself?"

"Those things should come with a warning signal," I pout, overexaggerating my stinging palm.

His laughter deepens, and I stare at him. He's by far the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on. I realize I'm biased, but I don't think there is any woman on this Earth who would contradict me on this statement.

The chopper lands on the hospital roof, where, normally, emergency helicopters land.

"Is this allowed?" I ask, frowning.

"Do I look like I care?" Antonio smirks.

"I guess not, but what if an emergency helicopter has to land?"

"I love you, Mrs. DeLuna," he says, stopping and putting his knuckles under my chin, "but you fret too much."

I laugh. "Point taken. I'll try to do better." I set my face in a grim mask, imitating him when he looks intimidating. "Like this?"

He shakes his head. "No, I like you better smiling."

Four bodyguards exit the helicopter, and four more are positioned by the roof access door. I texted Elli ahead of time, but I'm a coward and didn't want to go into too much detail. She tried, but I successfully warded her off. So we'll be having lunch in a private room that happens to be empty.

She's already in the room, waiting for me, when Antonio goes to check on Marcello. There is, of course, a crew of men standing guard outside the door.

"Jesus, Scar, you better tell me what the hell is happening and who those hulking men are," Elli greets me, jumping up from the table and pulling me into a big hug. "Also, I've been worried half to death about you. I haven't heard from you in weeks! Do you have any idea what you did to me? Here, look." She holds up a strand of perfectly brown hair. "See these split ends? I wouldn't be surprised if they turned white. White!"

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