Page 96 of Sins of Bliss

“No,” I sob, at the same time, he yells, “WE NEED A MEDIC IN HERE!”

“I’m okay, Sly. I wasn’t hit. I’m okay,” I say through tears.

“You’re okay?” he asks again, tears streaming down his face.

“I’m okay,” I repeat, trying to catch my breath as sobs rack through my body.

Sinking to his knees, he squeezes my midsection tight, crying against my stomach before he presses soft kisses to it.

My breath catches in my throat.

“Grazie Dio,” he cries, hugging me close. “Te amo, piccola ladra. So much it hurts.”

My fingers weave through his hair, and I bend, kissing the top of his head. “I love you.”

“LET ME THROUGH, MY DAUGHTER IS IN THERE,” my father yells and comes rushing through the doors, Luciano right behind him.

Our gaze meets and I watch as his face morphs into varying emotions as he takes in the sight of me and Sly—him on his knees, pressing his lips to my stomach. I wonder if he’s putting the pieces together.

My brother stands behind him, a relieved smile on his face as he sees that we’re okay. I return it with a weak smile of my own until I look back at my father and see his relief has turned into pain as a guttural groan pushes past his lips.

Just when I thought I couldn’t break any more than I already have, my father’s hand moves to rest over his heart, hisfingertips digging into the fabric of his shirt as his face contorts into agony.

Then he collapses.

Chapter 35

Sly

“Mrs. Lucchetti, please try to relax,” Vinnie’s nurse begs after she tries to get out of her hospital bed for the second time. “Your body has been through a lot today. Dehydration. A rough fall. Please, let us run our tests.”

“I’m fine,” she reiterates, being stubborn. I know she is desperate to check on her father.

“Piccola ladra, please, if not for yourself, for the baby,” I sigh, leaning forward in the chair next to her bed so I can reach to hold her hand.

Her eyes soften, and she touches her stomach.

“I’d like to get OB down here to do a transvaginal ultrasound, but right now, your vitals are looking good. You might need another bag of fluids, though, so please, Mrs. Lucchetti, relax for a bit, and I’ll be back to check on you shortly.” The nurse gives me a pointed look, then grabs her patient chart and walks out of the room.

“I know it’s the last thing you want, amore mio, but please try to rest. It’s the middle of the night, and the exhaustion is evident on your face. You need to sleep.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about the baby before you figured it out on your own,” she sighs, changing the subject asshe settles into her pillow. Standing, I grab the extra blanket by her feet and open it, draping it further up her body so she can get comfortable. “I had just found out. I took a test right after we got off the phone. I’ve felt so off lately, and thought, why not? I had planned to tell you the second everyone left after dinner.” She looks down at her lap, sadness overcoming her. “But dinner never happened.”

Creasing her brow, she looks up at me again. “Have you checked in with Cecilia and Raina? I need to call them.” She pats around the bed for her phone, and I settle my hand on hers, stopping her.

“Luciano called. They are relieved, piccola ladra, and they’ll be by to see you tomorrow.”

“I’m not staying here,” she begins to argue, but I shake my head.

“You are if the doctor orders it. Please, Vincenza, just let them care for you. Let us both get peace of mind. As soon as you have the approval from your doctor, we will be out of here.”

I can tell she is not happy with my request, but after a moment, she says, “Okay,” and squeezes my hand. “I know it’s late, but please, can you see if there's any update on my father?”

“Of course, piccola ladra. Let me see what I can find out.” Rising from my seat, I kiss her forehead. “Get some sleep,” I tell her, before walking into the hallway.

The door closes quietly behind me, and for a moment, I lean against it, closing my eyes as my chest rises and falls.

I could have lost her today. Her, and our child I now know she is growing.

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