Page 56 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Prince
He’s not a man to avoid conflict in normal situations, but I suspect that he’s keeping his distance because of Paige’s feelings about him. This isn’t the same as facing down an enemy or blackmailing a politician. He’s not the Don in this hospital room. He’s my father, soon to be a grandfather. Dealing withthe mother of his grandchildren hating him is a little more complicated than putting a bullet in someone’s head.
The door to the hospital room opens, and a man in a white doctor’s coat enters. He looks around the room, giving my father a tight nod. He’s probably on our payroll.
“Mr. Andretti, I’m glad to see you’re awake,” he says, and Paige steps back so that he can shine a light in my eyes. “I’m Dr. Russell. Can you tell me what day it is?”
“Saturday?” I squint against the light.
“Are you asking or telling me?”
I scowl at him and he chuckles. Fucker is brave.
“Okay, I’ll give you that one. It can be a little disorienting. How about you tell me the names of the people here in your room?” he asks.
“Lorenzo, Luca, and Paige.”
“Good. Follow my finger with your eyes.”
I do as he says while he moves his finger up and down, then side to side. The exam continues for a few minutes, and I notice my dad and brother huddled together, looking at Luca’s phone. It’s no surprise when the doctor finishes his exam and they announce that they need to go take care of business.
I’m curious about what they’re up to, but I’m in no position to help at this point. The doctor wants me to stay in the hospital for a day while they monitor me because of the severe blood loss I experienced. He doesn’t have to tell me how close I came to dying. I can see it in Paige’s eyes, in the way her hands tremble slightly when she thinks I’m not looking.
When we’re alone in the room, she’s by my side again. That warmth in my chest has grown into a bonfire, and I want her as close to me as possible even though sex is the last thing on my mind. It’s strange to crave a different kind of intimacy from a woman. I’ve never had a desire for this.
“Are you in pain?” she asks, searching my face.
“I’ve had worse.” I smirk at her.
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
I grin. “You’re sassy today. I like it.”
Her eyes soften. “Maybe being shot at makes me bold.”
I flinch, the fear that flooded my body last night rushing back to the surface. It wasn’t the first time I dodged bullets, and it won’t be the last, but that’s the nature of being an Andretti. I’ve always known it, and I came to terms with my reality a long time ago.
But seeing Paige in the line of fire was different. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the horror of it.
“Thank you for saving my life,” she says, sincerity shining in her eyes.
She’s looking at me like I’m a hero, but I don’t feel like one. I experience a pang of guilt at the knowledge that I’m the reason her life was in danger in the first place. No one is trying to kill Paige unless it’s an attempt to get to me.
I know I’ll have to come to terms with the fear and guilt eventually. Paige is going to be a part of my life forever as the mother of my babies. I’ll just have to take comfort from knowing that I’ll do whatever I have to do in order to keep her safe.
“I’m going to find the fuckers that shot at us,” I say. I’m sure it was the Bratva, but I’m not going to rule anyone out until I’m sure. Then, I’ll get my hands on the man that pulled the trigger and make him regret the day he was born. I’ll make him beg for death long before I grant it.
“I know you will,” she says, squeezing my good arm.
That steady faith she has in me does something to me. I feel content in a way that feels so unfamiliar, but so right. I swear my chest swells, and I want nothing more than to come through for her. To be worthy of that look in her eyes.
Scooting over in the hospital bed, I pat the space beside me. “Get in here.”
“I don’t know if I should,” she says. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“My injury is on the other side. Besides, I’m pretty sure this will make me feel better.” I waggle my eyebrows at her.
She rolls her eyes even as she smiles at me. “Who knew you could be such a smooth talker?”
She carefully gets on the bed, her sharp eyes on me the entire time, looking for signs that I’m in pain. The truth is that even with the pain meds coursing through me, my arm is throbbing like a bastard, but I don’t let her see that. I don’t want to give her an excuse to pull away from me as I position her head on my shoulder and wrap my good arm around her. She’s tense at first, and I can almost hear her thoughts racing.
