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“He told me. I wish I’d seen the singing part.”
“No, you don’t. It was embarrassing as hell. Then he was like a man possessed. Whenever he had a spare minute, he was searching for you. He loves you so much he risked his life today to be with you. And you’re ready to walk away from that? Jesus, Elena, I hate to ask just what your standards are in men if this isn’t good enough for you.”
“I feel guilty. I feel like I’m asking too much of him.”
“Do you think my brother does anything he doesn’t want to do? He’s as stubborn as they come. And he wants you. Any way he can get you. Why don’t you hold on to that? Why don’t you believe in the love you have with Archer and be grateful for it? Live your life, Elena. Not Ally. Live Elena’s life, and be happy. Every day. If your family kicks up some drama here and there, you’ll deal with it. But living in what-ifs and trying to stay ten steps ahead of a possibility that might not ever happen is no way to survive.”
I swallow hard and brush at the tears falling on my cheeks.
“You’re right.”
“Of course, I’m right.”
We turn as Jase comes walking down the stairs.
“How is he?”
“Someone beat the shit out of him,” Jase says. “I’m Jase, by the way.”
“Elena.” I shake his hand. “Does he have a concussion?”
“A slight one,” he confirms. “You’ll want to wake him every two hours and check the dilation of his pupils. I cleaned up the wounds, and the dressings will need to be changed daily. I’d like to have that hand x-rayed. And I think there may be some fractured ribs, as well.”
“Jesus,” Anastasia says. “How many were there?”
“Three against one,” I reply, my voice grim. “Meds?”
“Ibuprofen every four hours as needed. If he needs anything stronger, let me know, and I’ll write a script. He needs rest, so don’t let him decide to run a marathon this weekend.”
I smile. “I won’t. Thank you very much.”
“Call me if you need anything.” Jase passes me his card. “My cell number is on there.”
“You can call me, too. And tell my brother to call me tomorrow when he’s up to it,” Stasia says.
“I will. Thank you both. You didn’t have to do this.”
“This is what family does,” Jase says with a wink.
When they’re both gone, and Jase has given me more instructions for ice, rest, and elevation, I check on Archer. He’s sound asleep, so I take a quick shower to get the last forty-eight hours off me and find a T-shirt of Archer’s to slip into.
When I return to his bedside, he’s still sleeping, breathing slow and steady. It’s not time to wake him up yet, so I just slip into bed next to him with my head propped on my elbow and lay on my side to watch him.
I almost lost him tonight. They might have killed him. I don’t believe my cousins wanted that, but what they want doesn’t always matter.
As I well know.
Archer’s legs become restless, and he moans in his sleep. I brush my fingers through his hair, still stained with blood, and murmur to him.
“It’s okay, my love. You’re okay. No one’s going to hurt you.”
He opens the one eye that’s not swollen and turns to me. “Thought you were a dream.”
“No, I’m right here.”
“We won,” he says before his eye drifts shut again.
“Yes, we did.”
“Worth it.”
“Babe, can I ask a question?”
He reaches out to take my hand in his good one and brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the pads of my fingers.
“Anything.”
“When you were fighting, what did Carmine whisper to you?”
His lips twitch, and that eye opens again. “You’d better win this, motherfucker.”
I blink in surprise. “That’s what he said?”
“Yeah. I don’t think your cousins are bad people, babe. I think the mafia is fucked-up.”
“You’re right about that.” I want to skootch in and cuddle him, but I’m afraid of hurting him, so I lean over and kiss his cheek. “How do you feel?”
“Like someone hit me with a bus.”
“Close enough. I have a confession.” I lick my lips, watching this strong man before me. This guy that I love so much. “I almost ran again. Because the thought of you being caught up with my family is almost too much for me to bear.”
“I’d find you.”
I smile, remembering what Anastasia said. “I know. And I had to remind myself that you were right. We’re done hiding. I’m going to live every day, one day at a time, with you. Grateful. Because we’ve earned our life together, Archer. It’s been a long time coming.”
“I’m glad you finally figured it out,” he says, his voice more slurred. “So tired. Gonna sleep, okay?”
“Sleep. We have all the time in the world to be philosophical.”
