Page 43 of DeLuca: The Devil

He lands with a thud, and the blood flows fast and furiously. I scream at Damian to get him help, as he restrains Enzo. Forcing myself to an upright position, I yank the IV from my arms and crawl to him. Pressing my hand on his chest, I push down, trying to slow the bleeding, “Don’t you dare die, Dom. Don’t you fucking dare.”

Staring into my eyes, he whispers, “Bellissima. I’m sorry I couldn’t save us both.”

Doctors and nurses, along with security, flood into the room. The security guy grabs a laughing Enzo, but Damian informs him, Enzo will be retrieved shortly by their team.

Within minutes, my husband is on a stretcher and being raced out of my room. I’m alone. And terrified. I don’t remember everything. But I remember the day I was taken from him. The thing I recall the most is how much I loved him. He was my world until Enzo and my father shattered it.

Chapter Thirty-One

DOMENIC

Two Weeks Later…

I had surgery to remove the bullet from my chest, but I was lucky Enzo isn’t a better shot.

Giada was ready to go home three days ago, but she didn’t leave my side, the same way I didn’t leave hers. She hasn’t remembered any more other than the bombing. Now, she knows that she did love me, but it hasn’t changed her feelings for me now.

Max is still keeping Enzo locked up in the safe house for me, on a diet of dog food and water. It felt fitting, I will take care of him when I’m physically strong enough to, but not before he gives me Anthony Baretti’s location.

Giada sits in the back seat with me as Marc drives us home. The swelling in her face has gone down, and the bruises have faded. She looks like my beautiful wife again, although, she doesn’t act like it. Most of the time, Giada is disinterested in me, as if I’m a coworker that she can’t stand but has to be polite to, for the sake of her job. She clearly didn’t want me to die, but I’m positive she doesn’t want a life with me either. There was a time when I’d catch her staring at my chest or my ink, but now when she looks at me, she may as well be looking at paint on the wall.

As we pull up to our new house, Marc says, “Sir, a sweep has been done. It’s all clear. We’ve tripled security as you requested.”

I nod, “Thank you.”

I’ve always had a large security presence, however, it’s heavier now, because I will not allow anything to happen to my wife again. If I have to employ a million men with guns to keep her safe, I will.

“Ready, Bellissima?”

She blows out a long, steady breath, “Yeah. I guess I live here now.”

I get out of the vehicle and hold my hand up, letting Marc know to stay put. I walk around, open her door, and take her hand in mine, helping her to her feet. Giada is able to walk on her own, but I worry.

“I’ve got it,” she bites, “Stop hovering.”

I let go of her hand but stay close in case she stumbles. We walk through the front door, and she asks, “What room will be mine?”

“The master bedroom is ours.”

Giada turns to me, a scowl on her face, “I’m not sleeping with you, Domenic.”

I run my thumb over the pad of her lips, “We are married, Bellissima. I will not force you to fuck me before you’re ready, but we are husband and wife, and we will share a bed.”

She bites my thumb, “Fine!” And turns and walks across the great room to the stairs, “I assume it’s upstairs?”

I grin, “Yes, darling. I had an elevator installed while you were in the hospital. I don’t want you climbing stairs.”

“Yes, Daddy,” she says, dripping with sarcasm.

This woman is going to be the death of me. I want to take her over my knee, spank her ass, and fuck her into submission, but of course, I can’t. Until she makes the first move, I’m stuck putting up with this behavior.

I follow her into the elevator, “Third floor.”

She presses number three, “Are you going to follow me everywhere?”

I push her against the wall, lean my head down, and inhale the scent on her neck, “Yes, I am. Just to set proper expectations for you, Bellissima, the next time you bite me, I will bite back.” I press soft kisses to her sweet flesh, “Is that what you want? Do you want me to bite your beautiful skin? Mark every inch of you so every man can see you’re mine?”

She moans, “Dom.”

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