Page 172 of Sin & Sapphire

My heart broke at Ana’s bravery. She lay there, shaking, her delicate fingers clenched into fists, as we checked for infection, sprayed her with antiseptic ointment, then reapplied her bandages.

“The stitches will dissolve on their own in a few weeks,” the nurse said. “For now, keep them dry. When you go home tomorrow, you can start washing with cool water and unscented soap, but don’t hop in the shower.”

“Gross,” Ana muttered from where she’d hidden her face in her pillow.

“Maybe in a few more days,” the nurse said. “Once the bleeding has truly stopped.”

Ana nodded, but didn’t raise her head. I stripped off my gloves so I could stroke my fingers through her hair, and the minute shift toward me gave me hope.

Maybe she’d forgive me.

The nurse bustled out, and I drew away, intending to do the same, but just as she had in the middle of the night, Ana whispered, “Stay,” and I was helpless to do anything but.

66

LUCA

“Morning coffee delivery,”I chirped. Ana hadn’t allowed me in yesterday, but perhaps today.

“Come in,” she said, and my heart thumped hard with hope.

I limped in to find her sitting on the edge of her bed and dressed in the loose clothes Angelo had sourced last night.

“Ana,” I rasped, unable to articulate any of the maelstrom of emotions crashing through me.

“Coffee,” she said simply, holding out her hand. I tripped over myself in my rush to give her what she wanted, anything she wanted, everything she wanted, and to my delight, elicited a slight smile.

After handing Ana hers, no fool was I, I handed the curly haired nurse who’d been looking after our girl for the last few days her own. “Sugar, no cream,” I murmured.

“Are you ready to go?” the nurse asked Ana. “I’ll go get a wheelchair.”

Ana nodded. “Take your time.”

The minute the nurse left the room, I dropped to my knees. “Ana,” I cried, heedless of the weakness and the anguish in my voice. “I’m so sorry.”

Ana lifted her chin and stared down at me, like a queen disdaining to notice a supplicant. “For what?"

“For letting you think I only wanted to marry you for your name and your empire. For not telling you I loved you. For—” My voice cracked. “For letting you go in the first place.”

“Is that all?”

“Ana, please,” I pleaded.

She reached out her hand and stroked her fingers through my hair, and I took advantage of the invitation to lay my head on her knees, clutching at her thighs as I begged for forgiveness.

“I love you,” I whispered. “I’ve loved you for so goddamned long.”

Soft fingertips stroked over my face, and I turned my face so my cheek pressed against her leg.

“Come home with us,” I continued. Ana’s bitter laugh cracked my chest open. God, we’d lost her trust. I’d lost her trust. Or maybe I’d never had it.Fuck.

“I need more than just your love, Luca,” she murmured. “I have to be an equal in the relationship with all four of us.”

“Give us a chance,” I said, looking up at her, surprised to find her eyes brilliant with unshed tears. “I’m begging you. Valentin and Angelo are fucking idiots, but they love you too, and you have to give them a chance to prove it to you. Please.”

Ana pressed her lips together, then brought her other hand to my hair, absently running her fingers through it.

“I won’t be forced to my knees again,” she said softly.

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