Page 31 of Angel's Forever

I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and then around my waist, as Hudson pulled me into him and held me. He must have told Aleksandr to go on, because he continued to speak.

“We got him here as quickly as possible. I wasn’t calling for a paramedic, as it would take too long. His pulse was almost nonexistent when we found him. Viktor told me to bring him to this hospital. He said he would cover the cost.”

Hudson didn’t let go of me as he spoke. “Thank you, Aleksandr. I’m sorry if I snapped earlier. We are just all worried about Gaby and now Gino. Where is he now? Can we see him?”

I heard Aleksandr’s voice behind me. “He’s in the ICU. They aren’t letting anyone in yet. I have a couple of my men waiting outside and providing protection just in case anyone does turn up to finish the job. They can stay here if you would like, or they will wait if Nico wants to bring in his own men.”

I needed to see Gino for myself. I pulled away from Hudson and turned to look at Aleksandr, still feeling Hudson’s arm around me.

“Can you take us to see him?”

Aleksandr nodded and led the way into the ICU. We walked along umpteen corridors, and I hoped that Hudson was taking note of the way out because I was just in a daze, mindlessly following Aleksandr as he walked along.

Up ahead, I saw two men standing outside a room. I didn’t know many of Viktor’s men, but I recognized one as Ivan, one of his most trusted men after Aleksandr. As we approached, he acknowledged my presence with a nod. I walked up to the glass wall and looked in to see Gino lying there, pipes and wires all over his body. I felt Hudson step behind me, knowing that my legs might collapse underneath me at the sight of him. However, all I could do was stare.

“I am expecting a call from Viktor, so I will wait outside. If he gives me any news, I will come back and let you know. If you need anything, I’m sure Ivan can get it for you.”

I heard Hudson thank Aleksandr as I continued to stare at Gino’s almost lifeless body lying there. He must have lost some blood, because I could see the transfusion bag hung up, along with a drip. A chair was placed next to me, and Hudson coaxed me to sit down. I never took my eyes off Gino, internally praying that both Rosa and he would be okay.

“You must be Mr. Bryce-Stanton and Mr. Veronese. Mr. Koslov said you were on your way.”

I looked over to see a man, who I assumed to be a doctor, standing next to Hudson. I decided to leave Hudson to all the pleasantries, as I really wasn’t in the mood to talk.

“Yes, I am Mr. Bryce-Stanton, but please call me Hudson. How is Gino?”

“Well, we have managed to stabilize him. Mr. Koslov’s men got him here just in time. Any longer, and I’m not sure we would have saved him. He is in an induced coma at the moment just to allow him to heal internally. We will hopefully start to bring him around in a couple of days as long as his vital signs continue to improve.”

I was getting more worked up with every word that was being spoken. I needed to be in there with him. I needed to tell him exactly how I felt and how much we needed him in our lives.

I abruptly stood up. “Can I go in and sit with him? Please?”

I wasn’t against begging on my knees to get into the room. I just wanted to hold his hand and talk to him. I didn’t care if he couldn’t hear or understand me. I just needed the connection. The doctor frowned, and I thought he was about to refuse me.

“I shouldn’t really, but I understand the situation. So, as long as there are no more than two people in the room at any time and you don’t cause a disturbance, I will allow it. However, only one person inside the room overnight.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked into the room, leaving everyone outside with the doctor. I pulled up a chair next to Gino and sat down, taking his hand in mine. For a man who worked out regularly, he looked so fragile lying there motionless. I carefully lifted his hand to my mouth and pressed my lips against it.

“Gino, please be okay. I need you in my life. We need you in our lives. I’ve only just gained your love. I can’t lose it now. Please wake up. Ti amo così tanto, Gino. Per favore torna da me.” I love you so much, Gino. Please come back to me.

I didn’t hold back the tears now. I didn’t care who saw me. Even Viktor’s men outside could see me if they wanted. I didn’t care what they thought. Since Rosa had entered our lives, I realized there were far more important things in life than my macho mafia image. I loved Rosa, Hudson, and Gino, and I really didn’t care who knew it. I might lose Gino and had no idea where Rosa was. My life was falling apart, and I didn’t want to hold back my emotions just because I was a man.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped, looking up to see Hudson standing there next to me. I hadn’t even heard him come into the room. He lifted his hand to my face and wiped away some of the tears that were falling. I wasn’t sure if he’d done it because he didn’t want to see me cry or if it was because he just needed some form of physical contact with me.

“Viktor has called Aleksandr and wants to see me at the office. He has some news about Gaby. Aleksandr is going to drive me back, and then I can get someone to drive me here if needed. I don’t want to leave you alone like this, though. Do you want me to call Luca or someone to stay here with you? I wasn’t sure if you would be happy with Ivan and the other guy.”

I really didn’t care who stayed with me. At least if Viktor’s men stayed here, my own men wouldn’t see me so upset and Gino in this state. I wanted Hudson to stay, but I knew that finding Rosa was far more important.

“You go. Gino isn’t going anywhere, and finding Rosa is more important than me. I’ll be fine with Ivan. He can get me anything I need.”

Hudson looked concerned and hesitant.

“I assure you I’ll be okay. Just go and find our woman. I’m not letting you lose her again.” I chuckled, trying to make it sound like a joke.

I knew he hadn’t lost her this time. We all suspected who was behind this, but as yet had no proof. I hoped that was what Viktor had found: that Vincent was behind it.

Hudson smiled and leaned down, kissing my cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

We said goodbye to each other and Hudson left the room, leaving me alone again with Gino and my own thoughts.