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My gaze lingers on the imposing visitor’s entrance of St. Francis Hospital, my mind already playing out the next few minutes in vivid detail.
Ican see myself walking through the doors with Niccolo by my side, signing in at the visitor’s station as Christine Terlizzi. They’ll ask my relation to the patient and I’ll tell them I’m his niece, newly married.
They’ll send us to the fifth floor, where my uncle is being held, and I’ll check in at another desk. The nurse on duty will lead us to his room, quietly telling us on the walk that he hasn’t had any visitors.
I will ignore his broken body lying motionless on the bed and tell him that it’s over, that Grandfather agreed to the terms Dante set forth. I’ll tell Giovanni that he can never put his hands on me or Niccolo ever again, or else he’ll pay with his life.
“Let’s go home,” I decide.
I don’t need to witness Giovanni lose his mind if I follow through with my plan. Dr. Stone has been updating us on his progress since he was admitted to the hospital a week ago, but the news has been far from reassuring.Though my uncle shows slight improvements each day, one arm and both legs remain encased in traction, rendering him immobile. A thin wire holds his jaw shut, preventing any form of communication. He’s hooked up to a dozen machines that keep track of every breath he takes and every beat of his heart. Though he can’t talk, I know that underneath the surface, he is going insane.
Niccolo twists the key in the ignition with a satisfying click. The car springs to life, music filtering through the speakers as the heater blows hot air at us. “Are you sure? You really wanted to see him yesterday.”
I wanted to see Giovanni, so I could rub it in his face that his plan didn’t work.
I wanted to see the look in his eyes when I told him that despite how much he wanted to control my life, he would never see me again.
And I wanted to thank him for driving me into the arms of the man he hated.
If he hadn’t shown up Thanksgiving weekend to announce my newly arranged marriage, I would have tried to flee from Nic. I was ashamed of how I felt about him, and I hated his threats to get me pregnant against my will. If it wasn’t for Giovanni, there’s a chance that Niccolo and I would be nothing more than former stepfather and former stepdaughter.
But Giovanni’s actions forced us into each other’s arms. He is responsible for the outcome he so desperately wanted to avoid. And I wanted to see the look on his face when I told him so. It was a matter of pride and revenge, but I don’t need it. Not anymore.
“I’m sure.” I don’t need to cause Giovanni more pain just to prove a point. All I crave now is my husband by my side. His presence brings me the peace and comfort I’ve needed since this ordeal began.
Niccolo leans over, his warm breath tickling my skin as he presses his lips gently against my cheek. “If you change your mind, even if we’re already home, just tell me, and I’ll bring you back.”
“I need you to take me back to campus, actually,” I announce with a wince. “I need to study for mid-terms next week.” We might have married a week ago, but weddings don’t delay tests.
His warm eyes darken as he narrows them at me. “You can study for mid-terms at the house.”
“But Kaye is on campus.” I’ve gotten away with sleeping in our dorm once this week by telling Niccolo I needed to study. He was reluctant at first, but he gave in when I told him I needed to pass my mid-terms if I wanted to continue on my career path.
With a soft hum, Niccolo shifts the car into reverse and slowly eases out of the parking spot. “Tell Kaye to come here,” he offers.
“Sienna is also on campus,” I remind him sweetly.
His knuckles tighten on the steering wheel. “She can come to our home as well. I like Sienna. She’s a good counter to Kaye.”
I knew we’d have to have this conversation eventually, and I take a deep breath before launching into my planned argument. “Nic, I love you, but I’m still a student. I still have friends I want to see and study groups I want to participate in because Istillwant to become a Child Psychologist one day. I have goals and things I want to achieve, and I need to be an active participant in my ownlife to do so. This little love bubble we’ve been in these last few days has been wonderful, but I need more. I need you alongside every other aspect of my life that I had before everything was blown up by my family. Can you understand that?”
He puts the car in drive and navigates the visitor parking lot, turning onto a busy street as he pulls out of the hospital. We drive in silence through Manhattan as he makes his way to the highway. I start to second guess having this conversation so soon after our wedding, but eventually, Niccolo sighs and agrees.
“I understand. I just want you all to myself, all the time,” he adds. “But I have a job, and you have homework, and IguessI can let you go for the day. But don’t make a habit of this,” Niccolo warns, shooting a glare across the car. “If you aren’t home a minimum of 3 nights a week, I’ll walk into your dorm, throw you over my shoulder, andmakeyou come home.”
I laugh and roll my eyes at his caveman behavior. “I think I’d like you to do that anyway. It sounds hot.”
He shoots a look across the car, his gaze hot with desire. “Don’t talk like that when I’m taking you back to school,” Niccolo orders. “Or I’ll have to pull this car over and fuck you in the backseat.”
I drag my tongue across my bottom lip, feeling lust bloom in my stomach. “I bet you won’t.”
“Don’t tease me, little girl.” He eases off the gas and begins to pull over. “I’m a simple man with simple desires. And if I want to fuck my wife on the side of the highway, believe me, sweetheart, I will.”
