Page 31 of Three More Shots
“You don’t get it, Steele because your moral code is the opposite of my father’s. You protect your own; Beppe used his own. For twelve years, I’ve been trapped. And after everything I’ve been through, I deserve a chance to be happy. To feel something.”
My patience runs thin from her philosophical musings. While I admit I feel some sympathy for her, my tolerance for her problems ended when they endangered the people I love. “Live your life, Isabella. But next time, don’t let your shit involve my wife and child because I sure as hell won’t be so forgiving.”
“Okay, I promise.”
Relief sounds in her tone, and I actually believe her sincere conviction. Our paths won’t cross again, and that’s fine with me. They should never have crossed in the first place, but I’m letting her live…this time.
“There’s a delivery coming to your office. A package with a million dollars.”
Even though she can’t see me, I shake my head. Eager to end this call and have nothing more to do with her or her schemes. “No. I don’t need the money.”
“How about a favorandthe money? I’ve been told things work on favors in the criminal underworld. If you need something from me, or from Luca Cabrali, reach out to us. Believe it or not, Steele, I owe you my life.”
She’s not wrong. Being indebted is often more valuable than cash in this world. “Fine. I’ll find good use for both of them.”
“Oh, and don’t kill the messenger. He’s not one of mine.”
My eyes roll as I end the call with her still trying to make demands of me. Grateful she’s Luca’s problem and not mine.
Chapter Twelve
“Thankyou Mr. and Mrs. Dominico. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Dr. Krueger hustles in to the makeshift meeting space, improvising a stack of foam cushions from the kids jumping pit as a desk for his tablet. His smile lingers on my wife, which pushes me even closer to the brink. Already agitated from being in the building again where mycarawas abducted only a few weeks ago, I’m a caged animal feeling territorial, so he better get his shit together before he gets himself killed.
Tension ripples between us when he attempts to look at me. The ruse of my calm demeanor is tenuous at best, and I can't keep a snarl from twisting my mouth. All of the amiability leaves his face from the reminder of my impatience, and he tugs his already wrinkled collar with jittery fingers.
Of course, Corinne is gracious and kind, returning his pleasant sentiment. “Thank you so much for helping us. When I’d checked originally, it was a two-year wait to be evaluated, so we’re very grateful a spot opened up.”
Grateful my ass. I shield her from one of the few truths I know in this life. This guy can be bought just like anyone else.
“Well, it’s a shame we don’t have more therapists to support all of the kids who need our services, but your husband is a very persuasive man, so we were able to rearrange a few schedules to make this work.”
I nod in agreement. Doc’s a smart man not to admit how our discussion really played out, and I’m a lucky bastard the way she smiles up at me so adoringly when it’s me who worships her beyond anything I can comprehend.
He lifts his attention from his screen to Corinne and spreads his hands apart, seemingly ready to launch into his spiel. He takes a deep breath. “As you know, autism is a spectrum, and Ainsley is on the side of high-functioning with her cognitive and verbal skills. However, through our evaluation, we’ve determined she has co-morbid conditions of depression, anxiety, and ADHD that are impacting her as well.”
We’re all silent as the multiple diagnoses sink in, and I watch her face. Confirmation that what she suspects is true doesn’t make the conclusion any less heartbreaking. Her small hand squeezes mine, yet I’m uncertain if she reassures me or herself.
“I know this may be upsetting, but it’s helpful for us to understand the complete picture so we can best help her. Our first step is to find the right medication for her. There’s a pharmacogenomics, or drug-gene test, that involves a simple swab to the inside of her mouth. The results let us know, based on her chemical make-up, which medication is the most effective for her. I’m not going to lie – it’s pretty expensive, and insurance doesn't always cover it. But I believe it's well worth the cost because we don’t have to waste time trying different prescriptions or have her endure the negative side effects of medicine that’s not right for her.”
Corinne’s head droops with worry. She still doesn’t get it. “How much–”
“Can we get that done today?”
I’m an asshole for cutting her off, but the price is a moot point, and I’m not going to escalate her unnecessary guilt with a debate over a closed topic. Her eyes never leave mine, radiating so much appreciation and love with just a simple gaze, that I can't look away either. Until the physician clears his throat, bringing us back to the discussion with him.
“Yes, of course. I’ll have my nurse come over and take the sample from Ainsley this afternoon.”
Swift fingers type the message on his device, and I take the opportunity to pull Corinne back against my chest while we wait, because holding her hand isn’t enough. With me feeding her, she’s even more breathtaking than I can stand. Her luscious curves have started to fill out, and fuck me, if that ass doesn’t make me want to bend her over every flat available surface and fuck her just to watch it bounce under my palms. With me fucking her, she glows from the baby in her belly that right now, only the two of us know about. With me fighting for her, she soars with more confidence than I've ever seen. I relish her burrowing into my embrace, welcoming my reassurance that regardless of anything else I love her and our family.
I follow her line of sight to Ainsley, visible through the window, as she stands in line for her turn on the balance beam. Happy and oblivious to us and our conversation about her, she shifts from foot to foot, trying her best to be patient with encouragement from Crystal and the other counselors.
"Okay, Pam will be here in about fifteen minutes."
"Thank you."
The psychologist looks up, studying our hands entwined on my wife's stomach. I'm sure he's never seen a diamond as glittering and huge as hers, so I permit the insolence. Until his slow gaze travels slowly up to her face. When I try to release Corinne, so I can gouge out this asshole’s eyes, she squeezes my forearm and tucks in tighter, almost as if she senses my fury.
