Page 26 of The Sicilian Bastard
Luciano froze on the spot, his gaze glancing at anything but me. He fidgeted with the notebook I had handed back to him. What was that? Was he blaming himself? I didn't know him well enough to interpret his actions. He cleared his throat. His gaze flicked to mine and then shot away as fast as they connected.
"You were unconscious for an entire week," he mumbled out the side of his mouth.
His face was looking in the opposite direction of mine. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other as I scribbled away on the notebook he thrust into my face.
I must have been super tired after you wrung out so many orgasms.
I shoved the book back in his hand, already annoyed by the fact that I couldn't communicate. Luciano's right eyebrow twitched when he read my response. There was something wrong with my brain, but I wanted him to laugh. I wanted his face to crinkle up and see the lines around his mouth from something I said to him. I shouldn't be so wrapped up in his feelings. Most people would completely blame Luciano for what he did. While on a surface level, I knew I should, I also couldn't stop thinking about the pounding he gave my body after he dislocated my jaw. Everything was still hazy. It was like a fog of pain had flooded my mind, but underneath that pain, I could still feel pleasure. As I thought back, my stomach clenched, and I rubbed my thighs together. I couldn't believe that was a week ago.
The doctor's bag snapped closed, pulling me out of my dirty mind. Luciano held out his hand, which he ignored. He shot me a sympathetic look then hustled out of the bedroom before Luciano could say anything about his reaction. He sighed and hung his head a little bit. It broke my heart. I wanted to see him happier. I also wanted him to force me again. There had to be something wrong with me. I must've hit my head at some moment.
"If you need anything, you ring this bell. Agosto has the doctor on speed dial and I'm leaving this notebook right here on the nightstand." Luciano completely ignored what I had written.
Where are you going?
I wasn't trying to come off as some kind of irate wife, but he shouldn't leave me in my condition. Leaving me in the hands of some unknown person. What if I got hurt even worse?
"I have to run out and do some things. You'll be fine. Rest and don't try to go anywhere. Otherwise, you'll be tied to the bed the next time I have to leave."
His warning was loud and clear. I didn't want to make him upset. He seemed like he had a lot on his mind. I gave him a thumbs up and after fluffing my pillows a little bit, he left me alone. I couldn't help the disappointment I felt when the door clicked closed behind him.
He was the one who did this to me. He should be the one who had to care for me. I felt a feeling bubbling up in the pit of my stomach. Whatever was in that tube was sloshing around. It was welling up and I had to slow my gulps, breathing out of my nose to keep it down. The last thing I wanted was to puke with a dislocated jaw. That seemed like it would be a most painful experience. Not that getting my jaw dislocated was a fun jam, it was awful and hurt. My body shut down after we finished. Not right after because I was too busy having a glorious climax, but after that, it gave out. I wasn't sure if Luciano was a villain or not. What I did know was that I didn't want to leave yet. Ruby was gone and I had no one. There was nothing back in Vegas for me. If my memories were going to return, it would've happened. Nothing in the past year returned as I wandered through life trying to get back on my feet.
The thought of Ruby stopped my breath. It tightened my throat. I tried to breathe hard through my nose, but I couldn't catch my breath. I clawed at my neck. Darkness settled over my chest. Ruby. My Ruby butchered like some animal and left in the dirt. The woman who picked me off the streets. The woman who taught me how to be better at my profession. The woman who never judged me. The woman who was my best friend. My family. I was going to find out who hurt her, using Luciano and his family. Then they were going to pay. With that decision at the forefront of my mind, the weight on my chest lessened. My tears dried. My throat opened up, little by little. I let the hatred I felt for the monster or monsters responsible chase away the grief inside. When I got my hands on them, they would rue the day they ever touched my Ruby.
