Page 96 of Devil's Tulip

“No?” I echo incredulously.

“You can take the license exam, whatever.” He waves an imperious hand in the air. “But what you’re not going to do is work at a hospital where I can’t control what’s happening. Give me some time to build a hospital or buy one—and secure it.”

I blink. “You want tobuilda hospital?”

“If I have to. I don’t know what your uncle or Carlo might try, and I refuse to leave your security to chance. I’m not risking you like that. Not ever.”

…Oh.

My heart does the craziest thing ever—it softens towards him. Maybe he isn’t such a terrible person.

I’ve never had anyone give a shit about me or my safety, let alone go to extraordinary lengths to ensure it. Maybe my parents did when they were alive, but I barely remember them or the time I had with them.

Maybe that’s why I find it… hot that he’s being this ridiculously protective.

“…Alright,” I murmur.

Then, after a brief hesitation, I drop my spoon into my plate and shift closer to him. His eyes widen slightly in surprise as I lean in and press a quick kiss to his cheek.

“Thank you… husband.” I was initially going for an actual term of endearment, but it got stuck in my throat, and ‘husband’ slipped out instead.

The tips of his ears flush red, and for several long moments, he just stares at me, his throat working. He likes it.He really likes it.

My heart goes light with satisfaction as I file that information away in my brain. That little word has power. I can use it to get my way with him sometime in the future.

Smirking to myself, I settle back in my seat, picking up my spoon again, already feeling victorious.

28

MICHAEL

Husband.

This morning was the first time Gianna called me that without derision, with something close to sincerity in her eyes.

And I want to hear it like that again. Over and over.

I want her to come up to me without hesitation next time, to press her sweet kiss on my lips instead, not just my cheek.

To make that happen, I push aside all my other work the moment I get to the office and start looking into failing hospitals near the house. It takes four grueling hours to find one that meets my exacting standards, and another hour to dig up the building’s blueprint online.

I study the layout carefully, nodding as I trace every corridor, every exit, every potential vulnerability. In my mind, I’m already installing security cameras in blind spots, positioning men at strategic entrances, and implementing biometric locks in restricted areas. Then I run through scenarios of potential threats—Aldo’s men, Carlo’s pathetic soldiers, unknown enemies…

Like I told Gianna earlier, her safety isn’t something I’m leaving to chance. I considered building her a hospital from the ground up, but that would take months. I don’t have months.

I want her gratitude again, and I want itnow.

I thought getting her pregnant would be enough for me. Knowing I own her body and soul. But now I want more. I want her heart. I want everything she has to give. Every last piece of her.

And I’ll fucking get it.

Even if it means I have to wipe out the whole fucking world to get it.

For now, Loretto Hospital will do.

“You don’t really have to come with me, you know?” Lorenzo says, glancing back at me from the front seat of my car. “I’ve handled deals more important than this alone. You have other more urgent matters to deal with.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Lorenzo.” I adjust my jacket as we pull up to the crumbling excuse for a building. “Nothing can be more urgent and important than this.”

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