Page 57 of Stolen Bride
“Less than six weeks or so.”
“Are you cramping?”
“No.”
“Okay. Well, I’d like to run some bloodwork and stuff, but overall, the injuries are superficial. Fatigue and stress might be why you fainted, and the pain might be minor. We can’t know just yet, but we can test your levels. Rest, and I will check on you soon.”
“What about my baby?”
“You’re not very far along, with no blood present, and lack of cramping is a good sign. My palpitations don’t show much at this stage. Labs will be better to give us a detailed timeline. I suggest you see your OBGYN as soon as possible. As much as I’d like to help, I’m not a specialist in that area.”
“I understand.” He is the guy we call for gunshots and shit, but he was the closest, and frankly I’m afraid to let her leave the estate.
“Can we get the doc here with an ultrasound machine?” Hummingbird asks.
“I don’t see why not,” I answer.
“I have a coworker who I trust. She’s a great doctor, and discreet.”
“Fantastic. Send her over first thing in the morning with the equipment.”
I escort him to the door. “Is she truly okay?”
“Physically, yes. Emotionally, I don’t know her, so that would be your call.”
“Then she’ll be just fine. Thank you.”
“Congratulations, Damiano. You’ve landed a perfect wife.”
“That I did.” Now it’s time to make people pay.
I turn to everyone in the room. “Now, I appreciate everything you all have done, and it will not go unnoticed. However, I would like to be alone with my wife.” They all nod in understanding before they leave. Gracie squeezes my shoulder and kisses my cheek. I nod and then lock the door behind them.
“Damiano.” The light whimper that comes from my wife hardens my heart. I kick off my shoes and slide off my coat. Climbing into bed, I hold her lightly. “I want you to stay with me, but I can see the venom in those devilishly beautiful eyes.”
“I’m fighting my urges.”
“Don’t fight them, Damiano. I love you, so all that I ask is that you come back to me safely for me and our little one.”
“I can’t lose you.”
“I’ll be safe in our bed with someone watching the door. Maybe I could stay with your parents.”
“No, you’re not leaving our room. I’ll send them here. You will be watched. Let me get you out of this and changed.” I slip her out of her dress and then pull out the dress shirt I left on the chair from this afternoon and slide it over her body, buttoning it up.
“I love wearing your clothes.”
“You look sexy in it too.” I kiss her softly and then it grows, but then she yips and I remember her busted mouth. “Damn it. I’m sorry, Angel.”
“Don’t worry about me. Go on and take care of your family. Show them the devil, and I’ll be waiting like a good girl.”
“You better be.”
It’s a struggle to pull away, but I need answers and there’s one motherfucker who is going to give them to me, or he and his family are dead. Whipping open my bedroom door, I find my entire family waiting there on pins and needles. “Stay here with her. Don’t fucking leave her side until I return. Something happens, I want to know. A cough, sneeze, anything.”
My mother pulls me in for a hug. “Calm yourself, and remember you are no good to her dead. Keep a steady head and get these bastards. Your father has been doing this longer. He’ll show you how vendettas work.” She gives me a sinister smirk, and I wonder how much I don’t know about my youth and the time I was unconscious.
Chapter Twenty-Eight