Page 19 of Roped By Ryan

Once we reach the road, I gently help her into my car as Lorenzo stands behind us, explaining, “There’s a helicopter coming for you. They’ll meet you at the empty field south of the four-way stop and take you straight to the hospital in Houston. I’ve already arranged for heightened security.”

“I don’t need the hospital,” Michela protests, and we both ignore her. I won’t fully relax until a medical professional tells me she isn’t injured.

I rush around the car and hop in. “I’m going to follow behind you once we get things under control here,” Lorenzo tells me. When we started back up the hill, Lorenzo’s men were working on rescuing the driver and the bodyguard in the front seat.

From the looks of the twisted metal and broken glass, I’m betting they’re in much worse shape, but I can’t worry about them right now. My full focus is on making sure my little kitten is okay. Then I’ll figure out how I’m going to make sure nothing like this happens in the future.

As I start driving, my focus is solely on getting Michela to safety. She leans back in her seat, exhausted but holding on.

“You’re going to be alright,” I promise her, my voice firm and steady. “I’ve got you.”

She tries to smile, but it turns into a grimace of pain. “I knew you would come.”

“Always,” I say, reaching over to squeeze her hand gently. “I’ll always come for you. I love you more than anything.”

My focus narrows to the road ahead. We crest a hill and I see the helicopter landing ahead. The paramedic comes over to the car and helps me get Michela out. He doesn’t even stop me from hopping in with her. As he hooks her up to monitors and checks her vitals, I realize how close the call was today.

There’s no way I’m going to let something like this happen again. By the time we land in Houston, I’ve already got a game plan in mind. Lorenzo might not like it, but I don’t really give a fuck about preserving his feelings.

No matter what happens, I know one thing for certain: I won’t let anyone hurt her. Not now, not ever. Her brother isn’t used to letting someone else have control, but he’ll have to learn to deal with these new circumstances. I’ll fight him every step of the way if I have to.

Chapter 13

Michela

The hospital roomis sterile and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos that led me here. I shift slightly on the bed, wincing as pain radiates through my ribs and shoulder. I guess I hit the car door harder than I originally thought. Once the adrenaline wore off, I started feeling the aches and pains.

The accident feels like a nightmare, but the beeping of the monitors and the dull ache in my body remind me that it’s all too real.

The door swings open, and Lorenzo strides in, his face a mask of worry and barely contained anger. “Michela, how are you feeling?”

I sigh, already bracing for the onslaught of his protective instincts. “I’m better.”

He paces beside my bed, his hands running through his hair. “I should have been there. I should have?—”

The door opens again, and Ryan steps in. Relief washes over me as soon as I see him. He ignores Lorenzo’s frantic pacing and steps over to the bed. He leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips. “Are you okay, kitten?”

“I’m better now that you’re here.” I smile up at him as my brother looks on.

Ryan gives me another kiss on my forehead before turning to Lorenzo. “Let’s talk in the hallway.”

“No.” I’m not about to let these two step outside and plan my life without my input. “You two can discuss it here in front of me.”

Lorenzo crosses his arms over his chest and waits. Ryan smirks down at me. “Okay, kitten.” He glances over at my brother. “I’ve made some arrangements while they were running all the tests on Michela. Once the doctor releases her, I’m taking her to St. Bella, the private island a friend of mine owns in the Caribbean.”

“You just decided this without discussing it with me?” my incensed brother roars. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

Ryan doesn’t flinch. Instead, he steps closer, positioning himself between Lorenzo and the bed. “I’m her goddamn man, and I’m going to take care of her.”

I’m not going to lie; my girly bits tingle at the sight of Ryan standing up to my powerful brother.

Their standoff hangs thick in the air, a clash of wills that seems momentarily unbreakable. But then Lorenzo blinks first, his shoulders dropping slightly. He nods and blows out his breath. “I’m the head of this family. I understand that you and Michela are a couple, but you’ll have to work with me. I need you to keep me in the loop.” Wow. I can’t believe he’s willing to negotiate.

“I can live with that.” Ryan glances down at me and smiles. “I love you, kitten.”

“I love you, too.” I smile back as my brother groans quietly.

“I have to get out of here before this lovey-dovey shit becomes contagious. The last thing I need right now is more goddamn complications.”

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