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Adelina
Iblink my eyes open to a soft light above me. It doesn’t register where I am until someone says my name.
I look over and see Matteo next to me, holding my hand. He’s alive.
That’s right. Dario showed up and saved him.
I’m alive, too.
“Thank god,” another voice says. It’s my sister. I turn and see her, Pia, and Dario on my other side.
I’m in the hospital.
“We thought we’d lost you for a moment,” Serafina tells me. “I …” Her voice catches. “I can’t lose you, sister.”
I reach out for her, and Serafina takes my hand. “I couldn’t lose you either.”
“It was touch and go there for a while,” Dario says. “You lost a lot of blood. But the doctors saved you. They told us that you would be all right.”
Matteo smiles. “You need to take it easy for a couple of weeks and let your arm heal, but other than that, you’ll be fine.”
I breathe out, melting into the bed. “I’m glad. I didn’t want to die. Not after I realized I …” I trail off, glancing at my family. “Never mind. How are you guys?”
We’re fine, Pia signs. “We’re not the ones who got hurt.”I’m glad you’re ok.
Me, too,I sign for her. I know she appreciates it when we use sign language with her. She smiles wide.
Dario clears his throat. “Now that we know you’ll be fine, we’ll give you and Matteo some space. Come on.” He motions for Serafina to follow him.
She leans down and gives me a quick hug before following him and Pia out of the room.
I turn to Matteo. “How are you?”
“A clean bill of health. A doctor looked me over and said I was good.”
I gasp. “What about Enrico? He could still try to hurt you.”
He’s already shaking his head before I finish speaking. “Enrico’s dealt with. Carlo found him soon after I left to take you to the hospital. The bastard was lurking around. He was supposed to meet up with Antonio after, but since Antonio is dead … Well, that obviously wasn’t going to happen. Carlo killed Enrico the minute he found him. He called me earlier with the news.”
I melt back into the bed. “That’s good. Carlo did the right thing, after all. I’m glad he didn’t just stand by and let everything happen. Not like he did with me.”
Matteo’s face darkens. “Carlo has learned his lesson. When he called with the news, he told me to tell you that he was sorry for not helping you that night.”
“That’s something, at least. Did anyone else get hurt?”
“No. Thank god. The only woman there was Raven, and Carlo got her out. The rest of the women and my men are fine.”
“That’s a relief. I wouldn’t wish death on someone who didn’t deserve it.”
He squeezes my hand tighter as he says, “I was so fucking scared. I really thought you were going to die. Why would youthrow yourself in front of me, Adelina? It’s my job to protect you. Not the other way around.”
“Because that’s what married couples do. They’re there for each other. You’ve saved me countless times. It was time I returned the favor.”
“Well, I appreciate it. But never do that again. I can’t lose you.”
“And I can’t lose you.” I gulp, readying myself to say the words. “Matteo, I realized something. It’s been building for a while, but when I saw you trapped under that building, I knew my feelings were real.” I pause. “I love you.”
His eyes widen a fraction before a smile breaks across his face. “And I love you.”
