I should’ve kept you safe.
This is all my fault.
I closed my eyes as I cleaned her, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.
How the fuck was I supposed to help her heal? How would she come back from this hell?
I pulled Gigi forward and washed her back while Emillia washed her legs and feet. Once we were done, Emillia handed me the handheld shower wand and I started to spray Gigi’s hair.
“Emillia, can you please hand me the shampoo?” I asked, continuing to wet her hair.
“Yes, of course.”
While Emillia squirted the shampoo in my hand, I massaged her hair. Gigi hadn’t moved. I felt like she was just a corpse, but she was breathing, reminding me she was still alive. I rinsed her hair and body once more and Emillia shut the water off.
Emillia handed me a towel, then gathered the pile of dirty laundry before stepping out of the room. I pulled Gigi’s wet body against my chest and wrapped her in a big fluffy towel. I grabbed another towel on the counter and wrapped it around her head.
I stood up and walked out of the bathroom and laid Gigi on the bed. The covers were already pulled back and there was another towel on the sheets. I grabbed a clean hospital gown and started to dress Gigi, careful not to disturb the IV.
I could hardly bear to look at her small feet as I covered them with socks. Her feet were marred by sores and wounds that would take time to heal.
Removing the towel from her head, I began to brush her hair. I buried my face in her neck, sighing in relief at knowing she was with me.
“I’m so fucking sorry, my angel. I’m so sorry,” I whispered against her soft skin.
There was a soft knock at the door but I kept my eyes on Gigi.
“Nico.” I glanced up to see Matteo standing in the doorway, his jaw tight, eyes flicking to Gigi.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Matteo’s gaze met mine. “Got a minute?”
Turning my attention back to Gigi, I brushed my knuckles down her cheek to her jawline, and placed a kiss on her lips and then another one. “I’ll be back, baby.”
With a reluctant sigh, I stepped away, finding my aunt standing there with a clean shirt in her hands. She offered it to me, and I took it, pulling it over my head while she reached out, pulling me in for a brief, comforting hug.
She squeezed me, rubbing my back soothingly. “Go take care of business. I’ll stay with Gigi.”
I pulled back and nodded. She smiled and patted my cheek lovingly.
As I followed Matteo out of the room, I opened the door slightly, catching sight of Miguel, Alphonse, and Lo standing just outside the room.
“Where’s Luca?” I asked Matteo.
“The nurse is tending to his wound. He’s going to be fine,” Matteo replied, a smirk creeping onto his lips.
“Good,” I said, glancing over at Lo. “What about Enzo?”
“He’s on the way.”
“Tell him to go through the parking garage,” I instructed. “And take Miguel with you.”
Lo nodded, turning to leave, but I reached out and stopped him.
“Lo, one more thing. I want extra men on the ground, and put a lockdown on all the wings that could be accessible by anyone who shouldn’t be here. I want guards stationed on every single floor of this building, including the fucking bathrooms.” Just thinking of anyone trying to get to my angel was like pouring kerosene all over my body while someone held a lit match.
“You got it, boss,” he replied and left with Miguel.
