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“Stay away from my family and do your job.”
She nodded once, then ran from the room.
“That’s my wife,” Luca croaked from behind.
I spun around and rushed to his side. “Oh my God. Luca. Are you okay?”
He gave me a flat look.
“Right. Of course, you’re not okay.”
“I’ll be fine. They didn’t hit anything important. Lucky me.” He grimaced as he tried to sit up, a guttural groan leaving his parted, chapped lips.
“Don’t move.” I waved my hands, trying to keep him from moving anymore. “Let me—” The bed remote wasn’t visible, so I searched the blankets carefully for it. “Got it!” With a loud whirl, the head of the bed slowly rose, and Luca winced the entire way until he was upright.
“Thanks,” He mumbled, holding his side. “I can’t believe those fuckers got to me.”
“How did this happen?” I sat on the edge of Fern’s vigil chair, hating that she got to Luca first.
Luca glared at the door. “The guards told me the warden wanted to see me, which was bullshit because they led me to the laundry room to get jumped.”
I grabbed his hand, and he gently squeezed.
“Without the shivs, I would’ve had them.” Luca’s jaw twitched as he stared at the door, his ego trying to mend itself.
“You cannot be mad that three men with weapons bested you.” I maneuvered, trying to catch his eye, but his stubbornness was in full effect, so all I got was his strong profile. “Luca. You aren’t invincible.”
“No. But I hate how little power I have in this situation.” He shifted toward me and cupped my face. “I’m sick of making you cry.” His thumb brushed under my eye.
I turned my cheek and kissed his palm. “It’s almost over. You’ll be home soon enough and ruling over your subjects like the merciless boss you are.”
Luca tugged my ear and fell back with a sigh. “I was serious when I said I plan to delegate. No more taking on everything myself. That was how my dad led, and it’s fucking miserable.”
“I imagine your dad had a hard time trusting people. From what your mom has told me, it wasn’t easy for him.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re defending Dante Moretti?”
I shrugged. “The last few months have been eye-opening.”
“You’ve definitely earned your stripes. Word’s gotten out about you killing your would-be assassin.”
“Good. Maybe they’ll leave me alone.”
“Doubt it, but at least they won’t be stupid enough to think they can take you out in the middle of the afternoon.”
Luca reached for a cup of water on the tray next to the bed but couldn’t stretch his arm out all the way.
I jumped up and rounded the bed. “Let me.”
“Thank you.” He slumped against the pillows, letting me pour a glass and maneuver the tray closer
“Drink up. Your lips look dry.”
Luca playfully glared but listened. When he drained the glass, he made an obnoxious “ahh” noise. “How are my lips now?” He grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled me closer.
“Looking pretty good.” I carefully rested my hands next to his legs, still unsure of where the damage was.
He grinned, the split in his bottom lip reopening. Trickle of blood and all, I closed the distance between our mouths and gently kissed him. Letting out a disgruntled noise, Luca cupped the back of my neck and deepened our kiss. The taste of copper did little to ruin the feel of his tongue against mine. The joy that he was still alive and well fueled me.
