Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
A black Town Car was waiting outside the building and I slid in, settling Gianna on my lap, unwilling to let her go. I placed a hand on her flat belly and pictured her, round with our child and cuddling with our other daughter. It warmed me, helped me to calm my racing heart.
I kissed the top of her head, nuzzling her soft hair before resting my cheek in the same spot.
“I love you, mia dolce,” I crooned. “I promise not to fail you again. I will always protect you and our children. You are everything to me. Everything.”
Chapter Twenty-One
ANNA
Cradled in Nic’s lap, listening to him murmur sweet nothings in my ear, I let my eyes drift shut. I felt him shift my hair away from my face and kiss my forehead, but I kept them closed. His concern for me was evident in his voice and by the way he touched me. Knowing this strong man had no problem showing me a vulnerable side he kept hidden from everyone else was humbling. Even though I knew he’d come to my rescue, that I was safe, I started to tremble and sob.
“Shhh, bellissima. I’ve got you,” he whispered into my ear.
His soothing words only made me cry harder. I was having a delayed reaction to what I’d experienced and nothing was going to make it stop. I needed to cry it all out. Or at least, that’s what I thought until we pulled up in front of the hospital.
“W-w-what are we doing here?” I hiccupped on a sigh.
Nic’s thumb gently rubbed under my left eye, before hovering over my bottom lip. Even as lightly as he touched me, it hurt and I winced in pain.
“You need to be checked over, mia dolce.”
“I’m fine,” I insisted. “I just want to go home. Please. Everything will be better if I’m home with you.”
The sound of a soft cough from the driver’s seat drew our attention to Felix, who was staring back at us. “Doc made it to the pub shortly after we left. He’s on his way here, but I can let him know to meet us at the house instead.”
I was nodding my head wildly, willing to go along with any plan that meant we could leave without anyone else seeing me. I was bruised and beaten, in pain, dirty and disheveled. I wanted nothing more than to go home and try to pretend this had never happened. If it made me a coward, so be it. But Nic wasn’t having it. His hand moved to my belly and he glanced down meaningfully, before looking me in the eyes again. “I need you to do this, Gianna. For me and for the baby you’re carrying.”
Tears streamed from my eyes once again, as I admitted my biggest fear aloud. “But what if they have horrible news? I tried to keep our baby safe, Nic. I really did, but what if I failed?”
“None of this is your fault, mia dolce.” He slid his hands upwards, gently cupping my face in his palms. “I won’t have you thinking you’re to blame for any of it.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he slid his thumb over my lips to stop the flow of words. I winced in pain, and his eyes lit with a mixture of sympathy and fury.
“If there’s something wrong with the pregnancy because of what you endured due to my failure at protecting you, then we’ll face it together.”
“It wouldn’t be your fault,” I protested.
“Then how can you possibly think it would be yours?”
As much as I wanted to do so, it was impossible to argue with his logic. I sighed and slumped against him in acceptance. Nic gently moved me off his lap, then he and Felix climbed out of the car. Felix opened my door and lingered while Nic lifted me out.
“Doc’s waiting inside. He said he’ll smooth the way, try to limit how many questions are asked. Make sure she gets VIP treatment,” Felix told Nic.
It turned out Doc was a miracle worker. We were ushered up to a private room the minute Nic carried me inside. A nurse followed behind us, turning down the bed, and placing a fluffy robe on top of the mattress.
“Can I take a shower?” I asked her.
“Not yet.” I frowned at her reply, and she rushed to explain further. “It won’t be long, though. The doctor will be in shortly to examine you. As soon as he says it’s okay, I’ll make sure you get a shower.”
Nic helped me out of my clothes, his eyes darkening when he noticed the scrapes and bruises underneath them.
“Merda!” he bit out.
“It’s just a couple scrapes,” I reassured him.
“They will pay for marking your beautiful skin,” he swore.
He had a murderous gleam in his eyes, but I wasn’t able to discuss it further because the doctor walked into the room. He was followed by a shorter, older man who moved quickly to Nic’s side and whispered in his ear. Nic nodded his head in agreement. “Stay, Doc.”