Page 100 of Sweet Deception

"Yes. She was released yesterday and stopped in to check on you. Her boyfriend picked her up, but before she left, she asked that you contact her when you feel up to it. She's worried about you."

I clear my throat and glance at my parents again. Mom has a hand covering her mouth and her eyes are laced with concern. Dad's jaw is clenched and he hasn't taken his eyes off the bandages around my wrists. He's trying to hide it, but I know him well. He blames himself for what happened. Another flash of memory blindsides me and fear slices through me. I snap my gaze back to Luca. "I-he …" I swallow, not knowing how to ask.

"We found you before anything could happen to either of you. I swear it." Luca's face is hard at that declaration.

"I don't remember much. Just flashes." I swallow again. My mouth feels as if it's full of cotton. "How can you be sure?" The snippets in my head are alarming. I have to know he didn't do what he said he would in one of my more lucid moments. "He said …"

Luca smooths the hair on my forehead as he continues to reassure me. "Gio and Rafael stopped him before he could. Your mom," he nods toward her, "saved the day. She remembered seeing the guy in your apartment building, so we were able to locate you quickly." He swallows before continuing, "He was recording. The police reviewed the footage. Gio and Rafael got to you in time."

My body is locked tight, but after hearing that, I relax into the bed. "Okay." I look down and then over at my mom. "Can I have some water?"

Mom rushes to fill a cup for me. Luca uses the remote and raises the bed, then sits beside me and puts his arm behind my shoulders to help me sit up before Mom hands me the cup.

"Thank you." I take the cup and drink the whole thing.

"How are you feeling, sweetie? The doctor said that as the drugs wear off, your head will ache for a while."

"Thereisa dull ache, but despite everything, I feel okay." I notice bandages around my wrists and the other subtle aches and pains have made themselvesknown. Thankfully, it's not too bad. More like how I would feel if I worked out too much.

I hand the cup back to my mom and face Luca again. "Is Talia really okay?"

"Yes, according to her, he drugged her and then cuffed her so she couldn't escape, but otherwise left her alone after that. They checked her blood, and the drug was out of her system."

"When can I go ho—" I cut off home because really it's the last place I want to be right now.

"The doctor said as soon as you wake, they'll check your vitals. If everything looks okay, you can go home. Maybe this afternoon, since it's early enough."

"Good. I'm a bit tired, but I'd prefer to get out of here."

"Honey, why don't you come home with us—"

"No. I'm sorry, Mrs. Davis, but Kylie will come home with me." Luca moves his gaze to mine, softening. "Gio is also staying with us. You may be the only thing that will keep him home to rest for a few days."

Lowering my eyebrows in confusion, Luca answers my questioning gaze. "He got shot in the arm when he busted the door down." My eyes go wide, but Luca quickly soothes me. "He's okay. They dug a bullet out of his muscle, but the doctor assured me he just needs to baby the arm until it heals."

"You said Gio and Rafael got to us in time. Is Rafael hurt?"

"No. He's not hurt. Do you remember him carrying you out of the apartment?"

I look away, trying to focus on my memories, but I only remember Luca pulling me from his arms. "No. I just remember you."

A knock at the door has all our eyes swinging to find the doctor standing there. "How are you feeling, Miss Davis?" He moves into the room and comes to the side of my bed to view the monitors.

"I'm okay. A bit achy, but fine."

"Good. Good." He says distractedly as he looks over my chart.

"Luca said I can go home today?" I ask.

Finally, he looks up, giving me his full attention. "Let me do a quick assessment and we'll see." He pulls out his light and checks my pupils before moving hisattention to the monitors. "Everything looks good. You should be able to go home as long as you have someone with you for the next twenty-four hours."

"She will." Luca takes my hand to entwine our fingers.

"I'll get the paperwork started for your release. Just make sure you follow up with your doctor in a few days." After he nods at Luca and my parents, he leaves the room.

My dad has been mostly quiet and when I glance at him, he's staring down at the floor.

"Dad?"

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