Page 84 of Sexted By a Stranger
Williams entered with his team, wheeling in several machines. Mom quickly dried her tears, standing aside nervously. Luca shifted slightly but kept his eyes glued to the doctor's every movement.
Williams asked about how I felt. Each beep from the machines made him frown and tighten his grip on my hand.
When the examination finished, Williams turned to Luca. "Her vital signs are stable. The unconsciousness was caused by shock, low blood sugar, and physical exhaustion. The fetus is currently stable."
Luca's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
"But this experience was a massive shock to both mother and child. She needs complete bed rest, avoiding any emotional stress or strenuous activity. We'll monitor closely. Nutrition also needs special attention—Ethan will handle that, he's the specialist."
"You hear that, stellina?" Luca snapped his gaze toward me, his voice low and deadly. "Follow the doctor's orders to the letter. From this second on, you stay down. Don't think, don't move. If the sky falls—" A muscle jumped in his jaw. "I'm holding it up."
That natural "stellina" made my cheeks burn, and warmth spread through my chest. I nodded, whispering, "Okay, I understand."
Williams gave more instructions, had Ethan prescribe nutritional supplements and medications to prevent miscarriage, and then left. Mom followed to ask about dietary arrangements.
Luca's hand moved with infinite gentleness and care to cover my belly.
"Really? We're having a baby?" He spoke like he was confirming a dream.
I covered the back of his hand where it rested on my stomach.
"Yes," I nodded firmly, tears blurring my vision as I tried to smile. "Our baby."
"Stellina." He leaned down, pressing his forehead gently against mine, warm breath brushing my cheek. We were so close that our noses almost touched.
"Sheila." He suddenly straightened, his tone exceptionally solemn.
The next second, he released the hand he'd been gripping tightly. Under my stunned gaze, his tall frame slowly sank to one knee beside the hospital bed.
He looked up, his deep eyes holding rock-solid determination and overwhelming devotion, that burning gaze locking onto mine.
"Marry me."
The room fell silent except for my thundering heartbeat.
"I swear on my life as Luca Bellomo," each word carried the weight of mountains, hammering into my heart, "there will never be a next time. Never again will I let you face such danger, never again will you and our child endure even a moment of fear. I'll use my soul, everything I possess, to build the strongest fortress to protect you both. Until my breath stops and my heart goes silent."
"So, Sheila, marry me. Let me rightfully protect you, protect our child, protect this family." He reached out with unshakeabledetermination and careful reverence, once again taking my hand from where it lay on the blanket. His palm was burning hot, calloused, conveying all of his heartbeat and strength in this moment.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
The instant he heard that "yes," the tension in Luca's eyes was instantly replaced by overwhelming joy, his tightly pressed lips unable to suppress their upward curve.
"You just made me the luckiest man in the world," he responded firmly, then leaned down to press a reverent kiss to the back of my hand, followed by a deep, tender kiss on my forehead.
Chapter 27
Luca
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the bedroom, bathing Sheila in soft, warm gold. She leaned against a pile of cushions, a thick Jewelry Design Annual spread across her lap, her deep chestnut hair casually pinned up with a few loose strands falling along her pale neck.
She wasn't reading—her gaze followed me instead.
"Boss, Connor's dead." Ragnar's voice crackled through the comms. "Frat's most troublesome lieutenants signed permanent retirement agreements—non-compete clauses included. Lennox personally escorted them aboard the Sydney flight. Asset lists for their accounts and properties are hitting your inbox."
A beat of static. "Also handled two stubborn Queens captains. They signed transfer paperwork... after a visit."
