Chapter 15

“What are you going to do?” Sharon asked her daughter quietly.

“I don’t know.” She twisted the fringes of the blanket around her fingers agitatedly. “I cannot forget who he is, what he represents. Oh mom! He has suffered so much.”

“He was not responsible for what they did, Sadie.”

She looked over at her. “You have forgiven him.”

“There is nothing to forgive. That young man has been through hell and back. Being rich did not insulate him from suffering.”

Sadie nodded. “His uncle Graham told me how much he fought to get away from the activities of his family. He endured beatings and punishments because he refused to participate. His uncle George was the worst and died violently.”

“When is he leaving?”

“In two days.” Her breath hitched. “He hasn’t called me.”

“Can you blame him?” Sharon rose and went towards the kitchen. “You rejected him. I am making myself some tea. Would you like a cup?”

“Thanks. I don’t know what to do.”

“And I cannot help you there, honey.” Sharon plunked the kettle down and turned the knob. “It is up to you.”

“I love him,” she admitted quietly.

“That should make things clearer.”

“It should.” She worried her bottom lip. “My problem is him not telling me from the beginning.”

“Would you have accepted him?”

“No.’ She shook her head and closed her eyes briefly. “I am going to have to think about it.”

“Don’t take too long doing so. He is leaving, remember?”

“Yes.”

*****

That night in bed, she sat in the darkened room and recalled the night he had spent with her.

“Let me.” He had taken the brush from her as she was brushing her hair. “I love it loose.”

“It’s not very manageable.”

“How do you get it so curly?” He had been so gentle, running the brush through her curls slowly.

“Products and genetics. Somewhere in my family there was a crossbreed.”

“Indian?”

“And Caucasian.” She slid him an impish look. “Must be why I am drawn to you.”

Moving her hair aside, he kissed her neck. “I would like to think it’s my charm and looks and of course, how I make you feel in bed.”

“Definitely the latter.”

“How do I make you feel in bed?”

“Really? I never thought you would need validation.”

“I don’t, just want to hear you say it. So?”

“I am not going to feed your prurient desire.”

“Indulge me.”

“No. Give me the brush.”

He had resumed brushing her curls, gray eyes meeting hers in the mirror, a gloating expression on his handsome face.

“Shall I tell you?”

“I don’t want to hear.”

“I am going to say it anyway.” Putting aside the brush, he placed his hands on her shoulders and started to massage the flesh. “From the catchy sounds you make when I am inside you, I would say that I give you the utmost pleasure. When you come, you are unhinged and flying. Unanchored.” His voice had deepened.

“When I suckle your nipples, you call out my name in the breathy way of yours. My mouth on your intimate part, drives you into near oblivion. How am I doing so far?”

“Please stop!” she whispered.

His hand had descended into her robe, fingers sliding over her tight nipples. “And you are always ready for me. I think that if I am to touch you down there it would be to find you soaking wet and ready to accommodate me.”

“Gary.” She had leaned back against his chest weakly, her flesh hot and clammy with sweat.

He had lifted her off the stool just then and wrapped her legs around his waist.

A ragged sigh escaped her, and she felt the painful ache of her nipples. He had made love to her by placing her on the side of the bed, hitching her feet on his chest and sliding into her slowly. It had been excruciating, the pleasure so much that she had climaxed as soon as he slid into her.

“Gary…,” she whispered, clamping the pillow between her throbbing thighs. “Oh Gary.”

*****

Sadie looked up when the bell jingled to see her mother walking in slowly. “I am so happy you’re here mom. I thought you were going to the library. I have…”

“Have you seen the news?”

“News? What news?”

Closing the door behind her, she turned the sign to close.

“Mom, what are you doing? It’s barely 10:00 am!”

“Check your phone.”

“Okay,” Picking up the device, she clicked on it and saw it in glaring red letters. “Oh God! Oh my God!” Her body started to crumble, and she had to grip the tiled surface of the counter.

“Oh my God!” She had no idea when her mother came rushing behind the counter to support her. “He was shot. Oh God, someone shot him.” Her breath heaved and she felt the place tilting crazily. “Mom, he was shot.”

“Come on, honey.” Curving a hand around her waist, Sharon led her from behind the counter towards the sofa and pushed her down gently. “He was shot in broad daylight. At the site.” She blinked the tears away so she could read it.

“They caught the person. He was shot in the back and is in intensive care. Mom!” She gripped her mother’s hand. “I need – I need to go to him.”

“This happened last night. I need to … His uncle. I need to speak to him.”

“Let me get the number for the corporate office.”

“No.” Sadie shook her head wildly. “He wouldn’t be there. He will be at the hospital. Which one…?”

“I suspect it is St. John’s. It is the closest one. Let me try and find out details and we will go together; you are in no position to drive.”

*****

“That bastard!” Graham could not stand still. “That spineless son of a bitch. Is he dead?” “He is critical. Your man’s bullet tore through his gut.” Detective Sloane told him grimly. They were in the hospital waiting room where the police were trying to tie up loose ends.

“It’s a lucky thing you had someone tailing your nephew.”

“It’s not luck,” Graham retorted grimly. “I suspected that Gotti would try something pretty soon. He has been harassing Gary ever since he returned, showing up at places where he was. I figured he would try something underhanded, but never this.” He lifted a shaky hand to the back of his neck.

“How is your brother taking it?”

“Not well. He had a mild heart attack when he heard the news, and the doctors ordered him to stay on bed rest.”

“How is your nephew?”

“He has lost a lot of blood. The bullet just missed his spine, but he is bleeding internally.” They both looked up at the commotion just outside the door before it was flung open.

A young woman came barging in followed by a very harassed looking nurse.

“I tried to tell her that she cannot be here…”

“It’s fine.” He smiled at Sadie. “Come in, my dear.”

“Is there any news?”

“I will be in touch.” Detective Sloane rose and left them alone, closing the door behind him.

“I’m afraid not. Won’t you sit?” He gestured to one of the padded chairs, but she shook her head.

“I can’t. Please, how is he?”

“Critical.” He said bluntly.

She sat then, just sank down in the chair as if her legs had given way.

“I sent him away.” Her hands were gripping each other tightly. “I told him because of his name, I could not be with him.” She shuddered out a breath. “He has to be all right.”

“Turns out that my brother George was not the one to cause the fire. The same person who shot Gary was responsible.”

Her hands flew to her mouth and her eyes filled. “It did not matter. I was planning on calling him today to say that it did not matter and now…,” she swallowed.

“Now, we are going to have to hope for the best,” Graham said gently, “I won’t lose him.”

“Is he still in surgery?”

“No, the surgery took three hours, but he is still critical.”

“I need to see him.”

“He is not allowed visitors right now.”

“His dad?”

“Had a heart attack when the news reached him. I was in a meeting when I received the call, and I rushed here immediately. I never thought to try and cushion the blow for my brother. The uppermost thing on my mind was Gary.”

Sadie felt as if she was trapped in a nightmare. “How soon before we hear anything?”

“The doctors are keeping me posted. I am happy you are here, my dear.”

*****

He stayed in the ICU for three days, during which, the doctors reported that it was touch and go.

“We have found the source of the bleeding,” they were told gravely, “but he has developed an infection. We will just have to wait and see.”

Sadie did not leave, and no one could persuade her to go home. She was afraid that if she left, the news would come that he was gone.

“Can’t you persuade her to come home?” Sharon asked Graham.

“I am afraid I already tried. She will not leave his side. Not even to get something to eat.”

So, a bed had been set up for her in the room and her mother and Graham made certain she had her meals. Even when she declared she had no appetite.

“Either you eat, or we send you home.” The doctors told her firmly. “We cannot have two sick people to deal with.”

She talked to him every chance she got. Her mother had taken over the running of the shop, because nothing else mattered to her anymore. She just wanted him to open his eyes and stare at her in that intense way of his.

She wanted to hear his deep voice saying that he loved her. She would give anything to go back several days when he had come to her and asked for her forgiveness. And she had turned him away, because of something stupid. She had told him she would never be comfortable with him.

How wrong she had been!

Taking his hand in hers, she pressed it against her cheek and closed her eyes.

“Please wake up, darling,” her breath hitched in her throat, “I want you to wake up and look at me. I want to tell you how much I love you. How much I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you.” Tears leaked from her eyes.

“Please come back to me. Please. You are strong, my love. A little old bullet is not going to stop you. People are rooting for you. Raymond is asking after you every day. Your uncle drops by the building every day to check on things and it is going great.

Reporters are lauding your effort to bring the community back to life. And I am so proud of you darling. Do you hear me? I am proud of you. And I believe you. You wanted to be different, and I applaud that.” She kissed his hand.

You said you wanted to make it up to me. Well then, I am here and waiting for you to do so. Gary, please wake up.” She pleaded.

“Don’t leave me darling. I might be carrying your child. I am sure you will not want me to deal with this baby on my own. Please wake up.” The tears rolled down her cheeks and the bout of sobbing left her feeling exhausted.

She knew she was run down. She was not sleeping well, and she felt exhausted. Her emotions were all over the place and she felt as if she was all alone.

“I need you., she whispered hoarsely, “you came into my life and made yourself indispensable and I need you.” Bending her head, she placed it on his arm and never knew when she fell asleep.

*****

He woke early the next morning and felt as if he was in rather tight blanket with something heavy on his arm.

His eyes flickered open and he stared at pale gray wall in front of him. There was something beeping, some sort of machine and he felt pain when he tried to move. But he could not move his left arm.

His eyes snapped open, memories rushing so swiftly that he had a time sorting them out. He was shot. Even now, he could feel the awful burning sensation in his back. Someone shot him. Before he lost consciousness, he heard a following gunshot and someone shouting.

Turning his head carefully, he felt a jolt as he recognized what had his arm trapped or rather who. The familiar curls were tumbling over his arm. A smile bloomed on his lips and the pain was forgotten. He wasn’t dreaming. She was here. He dreamed he heard her voice, but she was here.

He shifted slightly, not wanting to wake her, but as if she was attuned to his movements, she jerked upright, her eyes flying to his face.

“Gary?” Her voice was husky from sleep. “Gary, you are awake. Oh God! You are awake!”

“Hi.” He whispered. Lifting his hand, he cupped her face. “How are you darling?”

She laughed hysterically and then to his alarm, started sobbing.

“Hey, baby none of that.” He tried to pull her into his arms but was prevented from doing so when the pain lanced through his chest, causing him to gasp.

“I have to get the doctor.”

“Give me a minute.” Clenching his teeth against the pain, he brought her head down to his and took her lips in a kiss that left her weak.

“Will you stay?” He whispered against her mouth.

“I haven’t left in three days.”

“I have been out that long?”

She nodded, eyes wandering over his dear face. “I thought I had lost you.”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” His fingers twined into her curls. “My sweet.”

She started crying again.

“Hush, baby.”

“I am sorry.” She whispered, leaning against him. “I am calling the doctors and your uncle.”

He held her hand throughout the examination, impatient to be alone with her again. But there were tests to be run, and his uncle had left home to come and see for himself that he was all right. Then he had to talk to his old man who was still on bed rest.

“Is he in cuffs?”

Graham had brought him up to speed regarding what happened.

“He is still in the critical stage. My man’s bullet did a number on the bastard.”

Gary gave his uncle a grateful look. “I owe you, my life. I had no idea you were having me tailed.”

“All in a day’s work.” Graham grinned at him, before looking at the woman curled up on the temporary bed. She was fast asleep. “She hasn’t left in three days, and I told her that Gotti was the one who was responsible for her dad’s death. She said she didn’t care about any of it. She was going to call you the day you got shot.”

His gaze went to her. “I am going to marry her as soon as I get out of here. I almost lost her twice.” He murmured.

“Twice?”

Gary nodded, feeling the lump inside his throat. “I was willing to go away - just give up without fighting for her and I almost died. I am not taking any more chances. I love her so goddamned much.”

“I have no doubt the feeling is mutual.” Graham clapped on the shoulder lightly. “My brother is beside himself. It was the first time I saw him cry.”

Gary looked away for a second. “When she told me she didn’t want to see me again, I hated him with a virulence that was unbelievable. Now, I can afford to be forgiving.” His expression softened. “I have everything I need.”

“That you do.”

*****

“Stop fussing,” he ordered. “I am not an invalid.”

“You kind of are.” Ignoring his scowl, she plumped up the pillows as he was lowered onto the sofa. His uncle had picked them up from the hospital and had detoured so he could see his dad, who had been so happy to see him, he had become emotional. And welcomed Sadie into the family.

“Don’t smother him too much, my dear.” Graham warned with a grin. “I have to head back out, meetings and of course the press to deal with.”

“Thanks.” Both men exchanged meaningful looks before Graham made his way out.

“Sit.” Gary patted the space next to him.

“I have to get you something to…”

“What you have to do is sit next to me and let me hold you.” He eased himself up carefully on the cushions.

“We have had so many damn visitors, that it feels like we are never alone.” He looked around the living room with the fire burning in the hearth. He had thought he would be his last night here, the day he got shot. Now she was here with him.

“I want to hold you,” he added huskily.

She sat down immediately, easing into his arms, careful not to hurt him. He was still on the mend and was still feeling sore.

“That’s better.” His arms came around her and he kissed the top of her head. “I want us to get married next week.” She moved so suddenly; she sent the pain spearing inside his chest. “Careful darling.” He groaned.

“I am so sorry.” Turning to face him, she examined his chest by easing up his sweater. “Where does it hurt?”

“I am fine.” Gripping her chin, he lifted it up. “Next week, darling. A private ceremony here, with just family.”

“We can’t. You are still convalescing. You almost died and…”

“It’s precisely the reason why I am not waiting any longer. Marry me, please.”

Emotions stormed through her and she felt the tears threatening. “Yes.” She whispered. “Yes.”

“Come here, baby.”

“You are hurt…”

“Come here.” He tugged at her hand, and she moved closer. Tilting her face upwards, he took her lips softly. “Is there a baby?” He whispered against her lips.

“What?”

“When I was out, I heard you saying that you might be carrying my seed. Is that the case?”

“It might be. It’s too soon to tell.”

“Would you mind? Is it too soon?”

She blinked the tears away. “I want to feel your baby nestled inside my womb.”

His heart swelled as he bowed his forehead to hers. “I adore you,” he whispered.

“I adore you back.”

*****

His throat swelled with emotions as he watched his bride walking towards him. They had decided to have the ceremony at the coffee shop instead where he had first fallen in love with her. The ceremony was being held Sunday afternoon when the shop was closed for business.

The minister at the local church had agreed to perform the ceremony. The shop had been transformed into a bower of sheer beauty, with flowers draped on every flat surface, including the bookcases.

The bride’s dress was simple and made of cream cashmere with a cowl neck. A garland of baby’s breath was entwined in the front of her hair which was a tumble of curls around her shoulders. Her bouquet was a combination of baby’s breath and white and yellow roses.

Graham and Grant Moretti as well as Sharon Ellicott were the only people there to witness the nuptial. They would spend the night at the apartment and depart first thing in the morning for the trip to Italy. Gary could not wait to show her off to the rest of his family.

Taking her hand, he stood with her in front of the minister.

The vows were exchanged, the couple facing each other as they promised to love each other until death. As he slid the diamond ring onto her finger, he gazed at her with everything he was feeling. Love gave his eyes a luminous quality that shone as bright as the moon in the sky.

Sharon had provided refreshments and after slipping out of her heels, Sadie Ellicott, now Sadie Moretti, sat in her husband’s lap and partook of the cake her mother had made.

“Thank you,” he whispered quietly.

“You are welcome.” She whispered back. She did not have to ask why he was thanking her. They had spoken at length about the name, and she had assured him she would be proud to bear it. “Make something good of it. Let it be one that our children will be proud to have.”

He was humbled by her and did not think it was possible to love her more than he did, but he was wrong.

“Ready to start our honeymoon?” He asked, nuzzling her neck.

“I cannot wait.”