Page 103 of Ruthless King
“Mr. Valentino!”
“Mr. Valentino, a word?” The female is quicker and gets in my face with her mic and camera.
“I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry,” I grit out.
“Just a few quick questions.”
Albie moves between us, blocking her, and I zip past the second reporter and dart inside. Jones had been adamant about steering clear of the media, and for once, we’re on the same page. A benefit of being one of the hospital’s biggest benefactors is a speedy entrance. A nurse meets me at the front desk, and I’m whizzed past the line of visitors. Albie follows behind, his slow, steady pace particularly irritating at the moment.
We ride the elevator in silence, and for some inexplicable reason, my nerves are buzzing by the time we reach the ICU. The halogen lights flicker above, the scent of antiseptic thick in the air as we walk down the hall. When the nurse slows in front of a room, a new scent reaches my nostrils, a devastatingly familiar one, one that has a knot forming in my throat.
“Let us know if you need anything, Mr. Valentino.” The nurse’s words are muffled over the wild pounding of my heart. “Your brother is still unconscious, but it’s what’s best for him now. He needs as much rest as possible to recover.”
I nod blankly and peer inside my brother’s room.
Stella sits in a chair beside the bed, the chorus of mechanical beeps marring the strangely peaceful scene. I take a silent step inside, scared to ruin the oddly serene moment. The rhythmic whooshing of the ventilator steadies my manic heartbeats as I creep closer. Beside my brother’s bed sits a bouquet of white calla lilies. I couldn’t help myself; I had them sent over first thing this morning. Both of us could benefit from a little redemption, a rebirth.
Stella must be absorbed in her own dark thoughts because she doesn’t seem to notice me at all. Or maybe she’s ignoring me. The errant thought is piercing.
I round the chair and finally understand. Stella’s eyes are closed, head lolling to the side. Did she spend the night here? I take in the hospital robe and her disheveled appearance and have my answer. Why would she stay with him after what he’d done to her?
Because Stella is good.A kindhearted soul who is much too good for the likes of you. That dark voice in my mind supplies the answer. The monster I try to keep buried knows me well.
She stirs as if she’s felt me somehow, and my pulse skyrockets. Her lids flutter and she blinks up at me, the haze of sleep softening the typical fire in her eyes.
“Hi,” I whisper, lamely.
She stretches her arms over her head and lets out a yawn. “Is it morning already?”
“Just past eight.” My head dips. “You stayed all night?”
“Guess so.” She wraps her arms across her middle, snuggling into the hospital gown.
I fold onto the edge of Dante’s bed, careful not to disturb the complex tangle of tubes and wires. “Why?”
She shrugs. “I couldn’t just leave him alone.”
“Dio, Stella why do you have to be so damned good?”
Her lips pucker as she regards me with knitted brows. “Excuse me?”
“You make it so hard.”
“Hard for what?”
“To be selfish with you. To take what I want. I’ve never wanted anything more than you.”Cazzo, I’m rambling. No wonder she’s looking at me like I’m a completepazzo. I slide off the bed and sink to my knees. “Please forgive me for keeping the truth about Vinny from you. I’ll do anything to have you in my life again. I know I have no right to ask, that I’m miles beyond deserving you, butDioI love you, Stella. I always have. That day I met you in the cemetery when we were just kids, you changed me. You made me want to make something of myself. When Vinny died, I was a coward. I was so scared of disappointing you, I ran like aminchione. His dying wish was for me to take care of you, and I fucked that up so badly. But no more, whether you want me or not, I’m here for you. I’ll protect you with my body and soul untilDiodrags my weary bullet-riddled bones tol’inferno.Capisci?”
She nods slowly.
“Ti amo, amore mio,” I whisper.
I drop my forehead to her knees and wrap my hands around her legs.Dio, I love her so much it hurts. I don’t dare move, don’t dare breathe. Not until she says something.
The thick silence lingers between us, each passing second like another nail in my coffin. She’s not going to forgive me. She won’t take me back. How can I blame her after all the agony I’ve put her through?
A soft whimper breaks the silence, and I hazard a glance up. Those beautiful brilliant blue orbs are filled with tears. The breath catches in my throat as I take her in.
“Of course, I forgive you, youstronzo. I’ve been in love with you since I was ten years old.”
