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“I know.” Then she does something that surprises me. With her hand still wrapped in mine, she lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.
I hold still, not wanting to ruin this moment.
Adelina meets my eyes, a flush on her cheeks. She quickly lets my hand go and looks away. But for a moment, I saw warmth in her eyes as she looked at me. Progress. I’ll take it. It only took me literally saving her life for her to look at me like that. I hope I won’t have to continue saving her from death to get her to warm up to me.
“They’re going to keep you here overnight to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
She slumps back into the bed. “Great. On our honeymoon and everything.”
“I thought you’d be happy you wouldn’t have to spend the night with me again.”
She’s quiet. For a moment, I think I’ve fucked up. Then she says, “I guess. I don’t know. Does anyone want to spend the night in a hospital room?”
Her answer disappoints me, but I keep a smile on my face. “No. I’ve spent my fair share of time in hospital beds, recovering from shit.”
“Like what?”
“Like gunshot wounds. Stabbings. Unlike your brother, who has a doctor working for him, I don’t have that luxury. I’m always questioned about how those things happened since they’re usually tied to criminal activity. I’ve had to talk my way out of a lot of things, so people don’t get suspicious.”
“You’re trouble.”
I smirk. “Never said I wasn’t.” My phone beeps from a text. I check it. It’s Carlo, telling me to get over to the club right away. Enrico is causing trouble again for one of the girls. “There’s something I need to deal with.”
“You can go. I’ll be fine here.”
“I’ll ask Dario to stay with you tonight. I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Matteo, I’ll be fine. It’s fine. I don’t need you.” I know she means to be encouraging, but it stings a little. She doesn’t need me? I hate the sound of that.
“All right.” I bend down and kiss her head before I can stop myself. We both tense. Then Adelina relaxes. I pull back and smile at her. “Be safe. Don’t get hurt again.”
“Even if I did, I’m in a hospital. I’m sure they can fix me up here.”
I leave after that, with Dario promising to stay with Adelina so I can deal with Enrico. Dario also lets me take his car since my bike is still at the hotel. Soon, I arrive at the meeting house, andwhen I enter, I see my men clustered around one of the bedroom doors. Carlo comes over to me.
“Enrico is there with Jules. We heard her screaming, but he won’t open the door. It’s locked. You told me to let you know if there was any trouble with any of the women.”
“Thanks.” I brush past Carlo and the rest of my men, shooing them away. “Don’t you guys have work to get to?” Grumbling, all but Antonio walk away. “Did you need something?”
He shakes his head. “I thought I could help you out.”
“I don’t need it. Go clean the toilets or some shit.”
Antonio frowns and trudges away.
I knock on the door. “Enrico, open up. It’s Matteo.”
No answer.
“Enrico, if you’ve hurt one of the women, there will be consequences. You know that. I already gave a gift to your face. Do you want another one? Open this door.”
Still no answer.
I sigh, frustrated, as I storm over to my office near the bar and grab the key ring I have stashed there. Running back to Enrico’s room, I unlock it and go inside.
He’s lying on the bed, his eyes closed. I check his pulse. He’s alive. Then I smell the stench of alcohol radiating off of him. He’s just passed out.
A gasp in the corner makes me turn around. Jules is cowered on the floor, covered in bruises, including a prominent black eye.
