Page 47 of Unhinged Little Angel

I giggle and sway in my seat.

“Well, he should be fine for the rest of the night.” Gio’s voice sounds like it’s coming from down a long tunnel.

“I’m fine,” I agree, the words frustratingly unwieldy on my tongue. “Thanks Doc BeeGee.” I blow him a kiss and giggle again.

He awkwardly pretends to catch the kiss and tuck it into his pocket, then stands back up and gathers his things back into his bag. I slump sideways onto the couch and the two of them talk for another minute or two before Gio’s footsteps fade away. A door opens and closes, and I vaguely remember that Antonio is bleeding to death in our bathroom.

“’M not exposing Tonio’s body either,” I mumble, hoping Salvatore can hear me.

“I hope you meandisposing.” He laughs quietly as he comes around the couch and carefully lifts my feet, putting them in his lap as he sits down.

“That too.” I nod, but it makes the room spin. Everything is hazy and distorted, but I manage to focus on Salvatore. His stubbled jaw and full lips, those hazel eyes so fucking intense it feels like they can pin me in place no matter where I am. I let out a sigh. “You’re so fucking sexy, I can’t believe you’re my husband.”

He arches an eyebrow and his lips twitch with a smile. “Maybe I should be recording this to show you when you're sober again in the morning.”

“Shh, no, don’t tell Sal I said that.” I try to cover his mouth with my hand, but it’s really hard to do because he won’t stop spinning, and also there are two of him.

“It’ll be our little secret,” he promises, sliding his hand up and down my leg like he’s petting me.

Guilt boils in my gut again at the mention of a secret.

“I lied,” I whisper, my lips feeling numb with the words.

His eyes darken and his hand stills. “To Don?”

“Sometimes you have to lie to protect someone,” I murmur, my eyelids feeling heavy now the pain and adrenaline have faded. “It’s not like it’s the worst thing I’ve done.”

“It doesn’t matter, Angioletto. I’ll protect you no matter what you did. You’re mine, that’s all that matters.”

Maybe it’s the drugs, but the way he growls the word ‘mine’ makes me believe. It makes me want this to be real.

Chapter 19

DANTE

Goddamn do Doc Gio’s pills pack a punch. Waking up in bed, tangled up in silky sheets, wearing an oversized t-shirt from a college I didn’t go to and a shoulder sling, I can’t remember anything after the doctor gave me those pills. I’m guessing Salvatore put me to bed? Through the haze of adrenaline and pain pills, a lot of yesterday is a blur. Lucky for me, I have the ache in my shoulder and the bandage on my arm to bring certain moments into sharp focus.

I shift and my shoulder gives another sharp twinge. The memory of my attacker’s hot breath on the back of my neck makes my stomach roil, while the ghost of his words echoes in my ears.

“Don just wants the truth to come out.”

What good would it do now? It won’t give him the last ten years of his life back. If I could go back in time and change anything, I’d make sure he got a longer sentence. It’s what he deserves. He doesn’t care about the truth, he just wants his power back, but he’s not going to get it from me. The fear I feltyesterday twists and pulses inside me, turning into the fury I’m comfortable with. Don can’t break me. I won’t let him.

It’s weird how the new sense of resolve dulls the pain in my shoulder to something almost manageable. I shift to put all my weight on my good arm and push myself into a sitting position. I must have slept for at least twelve hours, but I still feel exhausted. Even the thought of dragging myself out of bed to take a piss and get some coffee sounds like a goddamn marathon. Is Luca back today? If he is, I’m about to grill his ass about what the fuck Antonio’s problem is. Assuming Antonio isn’t dead in the guest bathroom, of course. Again though, getting out of bed to harass Luca sounds like a lot of fucking work right now. If I shout for Luca, will he scurry in here with some coffee for me like the sweet barista puppy that he is?

Only one way to find out.

“Luca!” His name is barely out of my mouth before the bedroom door creaks open. It’s not my eager young bodyguard on the other side though.

I almost don’t recognize Salvatore for a second. Instead of a tailored suit or even an expensive silk robe, he’s wearing a ratty t-shirt similar to the one I have on and a pair of gray sweatpants, dick print included. He’s holding a steaming mug, and he quirks an eyebrow at me.

“I don’t love hearing you scream another man’s name, Angioletto.” His words trigger a foggy memory from last night, more of a feeling than anything concrete; the wordminesinking deep into my bones and making me feel… safe.

He nears the bed, the smell of fresh coffee with a hint of cinnamon tickles my nose and immediately improves my mood.

“What do I have to scream to get that coffee from you?” I groan, reaching out with my good hand.

A smirk twists on his lips, and he holds the mug just out of my reach.

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