Page 74 of Ruthless King

I drive Aurora to the hospital, leaving Andrew behind in my rearview mirror.

ANDREW

None of this is going how I expected. Aurora was supposed to die, and we were supposed to be done with her.

Now, I’m fired.

I’ve worked hard for Nico for years, but I’m a man who saves my own skin first.

I bring my briefcase with me when I enter the police station and find Detectives Chase and Morgan. I place my briefcase down on Chase’s desk.

“Everything you need to bring Nico Mancini down is in there.”

NICO

I stand by Aurora’s side as she lies in the hospital bed, gettingpumped with fluids. She had an extreme case of dehydration. The reality is, she could have died if I’d waited even a few more hours to get to her.

Aurora looks so tiny in the hospital bed. I’m not sure I can forgive her, but I do know I can’t stay mad at her for lying.

I want Aurora to survive.

A knock on the door makes me turn around. It’s Detective Chase and Detective Morgan.

“Interesting your wife came in with a bad case of dehydration. Want to tell us why she almost died, Mr. Mancini?” Chase asks, strolling up to me.

“I don’t have to talk to you,” I growl.

“Actually, you do.” He pulls out a pair of handcuffs. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Giovanni Costa.”

“What?”

“Your pal Andrew told us everything.”

Andrew. Fucker. I should’ve known he’d do something after I fired him. I was just too caught up in Aurora to even think about it.

“My wife is sick,” I say. “I should be here for her when she wakes up.”

“Not gonna happen.” After cuffing me, Chase shoves me out of the room. I know not to fight. It will only make it harder for me to get out of this situation.

The part that upsets me the most is Aurora won’t know I’m the one who saved her.

That I still love her despite everything.

AURORA

I hear the beeping before I open my eyes.

It takes a moment for my vision to settle, and then I realize I’m in a hospital.

I’m alive.

For days, I was stuck in that basement cell, thinking I would die, and now, I’m here, alive, with a second chance.

A nurse walks in and checks on my vitals.

“How did I get here?” I ask.

“Your husband brought you in.”