“Baby,” Elio said, so much heartbreak in that one word. He pulled me into his arms. I buried my face into his chestand completely lost it. I might have said something, my words coming out muffled and unintelligible. I didn’t know what I was saying either.
I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
I felt Valentino’s hand grip mine as he tried to comfort me as much as he could, while Elio wrapped his arms around me, being careful with my injuries.
And I finally let go.
Of everything.
Of all that happened with the Devil’s Wings MC and all that happened with Joseph Gambino.
I just let it all go.
I must have criedmyself to exhaustion because the next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital bed once more.
This time, with just Elio by my side.
“Where’s Valentino?” I asked.
“He went home for a change of clothes and a shower. But don’t worry, he’ll be back soon.”
I nodded and looked around, hating the small distance between us, both physically and mentally. It was like he didn’t know how to act with me anymore.
I shook my head. I just needed to find a way to bridge the gap again. I moved over to one side of the bed. “Won’t you lie with me?”
He looked horrified at the prospect. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. Please. I just want you close by.”
He looked torn between giving in and giving me what I wanted and being afraid he would hurt me. But I knew Elio. I knew he would take all the care in the world to ensure that didn’t happen.
I pouted a little, and that was all it took. He slowly climbed into bed with me.
It took some maneuvering on his part, but finally, I was back in his arms, right where I belonged. Right where I was the safest in the world.
I sighed and rested my head on his chest as he ran his fingers through my hair.
“I was so fucking scared when Valentino showed me that video of you being taken,” he said after a while.
I could only imagine. I didn’t know how I would react if I ever saw a video of Elio being hurt.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. But I can’t let you out of my sight, at least, not anytime soon. You might feel suffocated by me. I’m warning you now so you can prepare yourself.”
I smiled into his chest and pressed a kiss there.
His breath caught, and he pulled me in even closer to him.
How could I ever doubt that he loved me?
It was so obvious.
And I should have been brave before. I should have told him how I felt.
“Elio?”
“Yeah, baby?”
