Page 78 of Arranged

“Sorry, honey, I have to check him,” she says apologetically.

“It’s okay. I appreciate it.”

Standing, I stretch, and then take the time to use the bathroom. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and cringe. There’s not much I can do other than splash cool water on my face and toss my unruly hair up into a messy bun.

When I return, the nurse is gone and I take my place in the uncomfortable chair again.

I know he wouldn’t leave my side if it were me lying here, so I refuse to leave his.

I look at my wedding rings as I cover his hand with mine. I can’t believe how easily I got used to seeing them there, knowing what they represent, and now I don’t want to have to take them off.

Chapter 29

Santino

That annoying beeping won’t shut the fuck up.

I slowly peel my eyes open, blinking until my vision clears.

I’m in the hospital?

Then it all comes rushing back to me.

The run. The ambush. Getting shot. My brothers being there. Wishing I could see Mia one more time.

Mia.

The monitor starts beeping faster. Is she okay? I look around the room, but she’s not here.

The door opens and in walks Albie and Emilio.

“Hey, brother. You look like shit,” Albie says, stating the obvious.

“Thanks. I feel like shit, too.”

“I’m glad you didn’t die,” he adds, and Emilio punches him in the arm.

“Shut the fuck up for once, Al.”

“It’s okay.” I laugh, then cough. “Ahh, fuck, that hurts. How long was I out for?”

“It’s been almost two days.”

“Mia?”

“She hasn’t left your side since you came out of surgery. We only just convinced her to go to the hotel room we got her to shower and change. Vinny’s fiancé, Lexi, brought her clothes and is keeping her company. Mia insisted she’d be right back, though.”

“She was here?”

“Yeah,” Al says, his brows furrowed. “Did you think she wouldn’t be?”

“I didn’t know what to think.”

“She’s a good one, brother. She was shattered to see you like this.”

I clear the lump in my throat and look away. I don’t like hearing that my girl has been hurting. I need to see her. I need to talk to her.

“So, tell me what happened. I remember you being there. Why were you there?”

---