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We left the hospital room and moved into the waiting room, where her entire family was gathered. Her parents were there, along with her aunt and uncle. My favorite Barsetti was there—Carmen. Carter was there too, a man I hadn’t interacted with much. They all stared at me, but this time, it wasn’t with hatred and disgust.
It was with gratitude and respect.
Crow stepped forward first. “You look like you’re in good shape.”
“I’ve been shot before. No big deal.” I had multiple scars on my body from all the places I’d been pierced with a bullet. My tattoo artist usually covered them up again so they weren’t so visible. Now I had a new mark on my shoulder that needed to be covered once it was healed.
Crow didn’t react to my words, even though anyone else would have been disturbed by that information. “Is there anything we can do for you? How about we give you a ride to your place?”
“I’ll drive him,” Vanessa said. “I’ll be taking care of him for a while. When he’s feeling better, we’ll head back to Florence to see how Conway is doing.”
I had the strength to make it to Florence now, and I certainly didn’t need her to take care of me. But all I wanted was to be alone with her, to finally drop the walls that I projected and be open with the woman I loved. I wanted to feel her with my hands, kiss her naked body everywhere, make love to her the way I fantasized about. I just wanted my woman, my baby. I put my life on the line to save the people she loved. Now it was my turn to be rewarded. And all I wanted was this woman in my bed, buck naked with her legs spread. She was mine now. I owned her, and it was my right to enjoy her. When I was fulfilled, I would let her visit her family again.
Not a moment sooner.
Crow hugged Vanessa first and kissed her on the forehead. “See you soon, tesoro. Love you.”
“Love you too,” she whispered.
Crow moved to me next, and instead of ignoring me the way he used to, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and said, “Let me know if you need anything, Griffin.” He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave me a gentle pat, the way he did with Conway.
Words didn’t come from my throat the way I wanted them to. All I did was nod.
Pearl hugged her daughter next then came up to me. It was the first time I’d seen her since everything happened. She hadn’t come into my room to visit me. Everyone watched her as she faced me, the silence surrounding us. Then, unexpectedly, she started to cry.
I’d never been comfortable around crying women, so I didn’t know what to do. Vanessa hardly ever did it, thankfully. I avoided Pearl’s gaze, feeling intrusive for looking at her during her despair.
Then she moved into my chest and hugged me.
Hugged me.
I’d never even gotten a handshake from anyone, let alone a hug. I stood there awkwardly as she clung to me, and it took me a few seconds to return the affection. My large arms surrounded her, feeling her petiteness.
Vanessa smiled as she watched her mother sob against me.
“You saved my son,” Pearl said into my chest. “You saved my husband…my brother…my daughter. Thank you so much.” She stayed in place, pouring her heart out to me.
I patted her back, still feeling ill at ease touching her like this.
“I wanted to visit you in your room, but I was still too upset…and now I’m even worse.” She pulled away and looked up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks and ruining her mascara. “My family means everything to me. If I lost them…any of them…I would lose myself. Because of you, I get to sleep with my husband beside me. Thank you, Griffin. I’m so sorry for the way I—”
“I accept your apology, Mrs. Barsetti. And you’re welcome.” I gave her a pat on the back before I pulled away, distancing myself from her. Her emotional turmoil was more than I could stand. Vanessa spoke highly of her mother, saying she was the strongest person she’d ever met. It was unlike her to cry, so seeing the tears made the situation even more profound. “What I want more than anything is to move forward and start over.”
Pearl rubbed her eyes with her fingertips, wiping away her smeared mascara in the process. “Of course. You’re a very brave man, and I feel better knowing my daughter has you. I know you would do anything for her.”
Those words meant a lot to me because it was all I ever wanted, to prove to her family I was the best man to take care of her. I’d said those words to her father many times, but they always bounced back at me. “I would, as I would for all of you.”
