Page 17 of Moretti Captive
When I take it back to the counter, the nurse looks over the paperwork and then up at me. “That man is Mr. Moretti?”
I nod my head, “Yeah?”
She pales, “Give me a second, and I’ll get a room set up for him, and you can wait there for him to get done in surgery.”
Wow, they really get things done fast here. I’m sure it has something to do with his last name. It only takes thirty minutes for me to be waiting in a comfortable chair in a large room. I hold my head in my hands and just wait, hoping that everything will turn out okay.
13.Vincenzo
Iwake up groggy and in pain. My arms are tied down, and I start to worry I’ve been kidnapped, for real this time. My eyes finally manage to open all the way, and I realize I’m in a hospital room. My left arm is in a padded sling that wraps around my waist to keep it immobile. When I turn to look at my right hand, I realize I wasn’t able to move it because Harper is currently using it as a pillow to sleep on.
There’s a soft knock at the door before a nurse walks in. When she sees me awake, she smiles. “How are you feeling?”
I wince. “Sore.”
She nods. “The doctor will be in soon to talk to you, then we can get you some pain meds.” Her eyes fall to where Harper is still sleeping, and her smile softens. “Your fiancée has been by your side the whole time. She waited right here for you to get out of surgery and refused to leave the room to even get something to eat this morning.”
I can’t help the spasm that goes through me at the word fiancée. “Yeah, she’s really great.”
The nurse nods. “I’ll let the doctor know that you’re awake.”
“Thanks,” I tell her.
The door closes behind her, and Harper startles awake. She looks around like someone is going to attack us, and then her eyes fall on me. She smiles so big I’m surprised it doesn’t hurt her face. Then she’s kissing me. Her hands are buried in my hair, and she’s kissing me like I have the last bit of oxygen in my lungs in the entire atmosphere and she wants it. When she pulls away, tears are falling down her cheeks. “I’m so glad you’re okay. The doctor said you would be, but I couldn’t believe him until you woke up.”
I grin. “It makes sense that you would be worried about me. You are my fiancée, after all.”
Her cheeks redden. “They said only family could visit. Also, I totally broke into your phone with your face to call Nic and let him know what was going on. He decided it was best not to tell Ava. He doesn’t want to worry her.”
“That’s a good call. Besides, I have my fiancée to take care of me. How about a sponge bath? That would make your future husband very happy.” I tease her.
She frowns, then flicks me in the forehead. I gape at her. “You shouldn’t be mean to people who have been shot.”
She shrugs and then looks down at her toes. “You only got shot because you were protecting me.”
I reach up with my good arm and cup her cheek. “And I would do it again. You’re my hostage. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Anyone who tries to get in the way of that has no chance of living very long.”
Tears flow down her cheeks once more, and I wipe them as best I can with just one functioning arm. Pulling her into me, I press a soft kiss to her lips. There’s another knock on the door, and then someone walks in. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt,” a male voice says.
Harper pulls away and sits down in her chair, giving me a look that tells me I better behave. The man walks further into theroom. “I’m Dr. Martin. I’m glad you’re awake. The bullets went into the back of your left shoulder. They managed to fracture your shoulder blade, but the gun was low caliber, so it didn’t do too much damage. We’re going to keep you for another day for observation. You’re going to need to keep the sling on for about six weeks for your shoulder to completely heal.”
I nod. The shoulder thing sucks, but it’s not like it’s my first time being shot. Usually, I have a private doctor I go to for stuff like this, but Harper didn’t know any better. “Sounds good. I’ve got my fiancée to take care of me anyway.” I wink at Harper.
Her lips roll in, and she rolls her eyes before she looks to the doctor. “Is there anything we need to know for home care?”
“Not really. It’s more about just keeping the area dry and clean. I’ll give you some pamphlets about the signs of infection and how to care for wounds. Other than that, he just needs to take it slow for a bit and let that arm rest, so it heals right.”
Harper nods. “Thank you.”
“Of course, I’ll go ahead and send a prescription for pain meds down to the pharmacy. The nurse will be able to administer them shortly,” he says, giving us a nod.
I stop him. “Actually, we’re going to need some privacy for a bit. Please make sure we’re undisturbed for the next hour.”
The doctor doesn’t even hesitate. “Of course, sir.”
When he walks out, Harper gives me a glare. “You need pain meds.”
I pat my lap. “Not when I have you here to make me feel better.”
