Page 103 of Sins of the Son

“You know you scared me to death today.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know what I would have done if I'd lost you.”

“Probably win more arguments.”

“This isn’t funny, Milana.”

“I know. I’m just not used to so many people… I don’t know… caring about me. It feels awkward.”

He pulled the covers back and carefully lifted my legs to the side. “Well, that is something else you are going to have to get used to.”

He pulled the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around my shoulders.

I looked around. “Where are my clothes and shoes?”

I didn’t want to leave without them. That was a brand-new outfit, and it was expensive.

“Don’t worry. Gabriella collected them. She was particularly annoyed about the shoes being scuffed but said she would take care of it, whatever that means.”

I braced myself on the handrail on the side of the bed and prepared to stand.

Cesare frowned as he stood over me. His fists on his hips. “What do you think you’re doing?”

I blinked up at him. “Getting up?”

He ran his hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “You’re not walking, Milana! You just had a horrific fall. I’m going to carry you.”

“That is unnecessary. I’m pretty sure I can walk.”

Before I could argue further, Cesare swooped me up into his arms. “You are going to be a terrible patient, aren’t you?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Probably.”

As he carried me out of the room, he said, “There is something else you are going to have to get used to.”

“What is that?”

“Saying I was right.”

I leaned back and looked at him, my brow furrowed. “And what exactly were you right about?”

“About you not going into work.”

My mouth fell open. “Oh no, you don’t get to play that card. For all we know, I tripped, and this was all just an embarrassing accident. I do wear ridiculously high heels.”

“Say it. Go on. Say it. Say, 'Cesare, you were right.'”

I softened my eyes as I put my fingertips to my temple. “I would, it’s just that my head… it’s starting to throb….”

Cesare chuckled. “Don’t ever change, my love. Don’t ever change.”

As he carried me to the car where Barone and Amara were waiting, I tried to calm the frenetic, queasy feeling in my stomach.

I knew what Cesare was doing.

What we were both doing.

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