Page 92 of Casino King

It’s a silent ride to wherever we’re going, with just Alec and I holding each other like our lives depend on it. Because they really do.

Chapter 32

Alec

Holding Tessa in my arms feels like my world has finally righted itself. She’s my axis. Without her, I’m all turned around, and I don’t know which way is up.

But now I do.

I see everything as it is clearly again.

Nothing else matters but her right now. I’ll deal with the Triads and Tito later. I just want to hold Tessa and make sure Doc looks at her as soon as we get back to The Aces.

Once in the garage, I climb out of the Range Rover and then scoop her up and carry her to the elevators.

“I think I can walk, Alec,” she whispers, though her fingers grip my suit lapels in her fists like she doesn’t want me to put her down, and I don’t plan to.

“No,” I say simply, and she curls into me a little more, satisfied with my answer.

The medical suite is only one floor below mine, and the moment the doors slide open, Joe is there to greet us. The whole floor was converted when I took over the business in Atlantic City, wanting to make sure medical service was always close by in case any of us needed it. The bedrooms are now hospital rooms, equipped with everything you’d find in an actual hospital, in addition to a surgical room and another with MRI and x-ray machines.

“What happened?” Doc asks.

“I don’t know yet. I found her with blood trailing down her but I took her out of there before I could get a better look.”

Laying Tessa down on a hospital bed in the room at the end of the hall, I take what remains of her dress off and then Doc gets to work examining her.

Cleaning off her wounds, the cuts on her neck, chest, and thighs are all shallow enough to not need stitches, but it’s the gash on her arm, the one I heard her scream because of, is deep enough for them and may leave a scar.

Tessa keeps her beautiful hazel eyes on me as Joe works. With her hand in mine, I rub circles across her knuckles, needing to feel her touch in any way I can.

“He didn’t touch you besides with his knife?” Joe asks her, and she shakes her head no, keeping her eyes on me.

“She’ll be fine,” he assures me, leaving us alone after he places bandages over her wounds.

Waiting a few seconds before speaking, she beats me to it.

“I knew you’d come. I’m just glad you did before he…before he…” she doesn’t finish, but I know what she means to say.

“He’d didn’t, though. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again, Tessa. I promise you with everything I am that I’ll protect you with everything that I have.”

“I know,” she whispers. “I shouldn’t have snuck away like that. I was just angry and missing you and wanting to lash out. But Jess and Kayla…”

Squeezing her hand, my vision blurs. “Don’t mention them. I’ll take care of them.”

“No,” she says. “I want to.”

Surprised by her answer, I take a second, and then bring her hand to my lips and plant a kiss there. “If you’d like, you may.”

“I also want to use a blade on the one who did this to me before you kill him.”

The corners of my mouth turn up at her declaration. “Yes, mia bella rosa. Whatever you want, you can have. I’d never deny you the satisfaction of revenge. But you may change your mind after you get some rest.”

“Will you lay with me? I don’t want you to leave me alone.”

“I’m not leaving,” I assure her, leaning in to plant a soft kiss to her cheek. Tessa’s eyes close at my touch and her little sigh makes my chest hurt.

Taking my jacket off, I place it on the chair and then cover Tessa in the blanket that’s at the end of the bed before sliding in next to her. She curls into me and rests her head on my chest, her arm snaking around my waist automatically.

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