Chapter 53

53

Olivia

I try to wrench open the door when shots ring out on the other side. I drop to the floor and bullets tear through the door above me. "No, no, no, Massimo!" I throw myself to the side and huddle there as more bullets rip through the door. Fragments of wood rain down on me, I throw my arms over my head to shield myself. The shooting seems to go on and on. My pulse thuds at my temples, the blood pumps in my ears, and my heart beats against my rib cage like a bird caught in a net. Massimo, Massimo. You can't die on me. Don't you dare leave me, you hear me? I squeeze my fingers together, close my eyes and pray.

Then, the shooting cuts out, and all I can hear is the ringing in my ears. The pounding within me continues. A chunk of wood from the frame hits the ground with a thud, then the entire middle section of the door crumples into pieces. I squeeze my eyes shut, curl myself into as small a ball as possible, and tremble. Suddenly aware of the stillness pressing down on me, I snap my eyes open, and rise to my feet. My knees threaten to give out from under me.

I lean against the wall, panting like I've run a marathon. My heartbeat is still so loud, I hear it pounding in my ears, feel my pulse thudding under my skin. I slide toward the edge of the door and peek inside. The corridor is littered with fallen bodies, and there on the floor, with his arm flung toward the door, is Massimo. Everything around me fades. There's only him.

"No!" I jump forward and sink to my knees beside him. Blood stains the side of his shirt. The skin surrounding one eye is discolored. His eyelids are shut, the eyelashes a dark semicircle against his cheeks. His features are pale, and he's so still. Oh my god! My breath catches on a sob. Is he even breathing?

No, it's not possible. The tears I've been trying to hold back slide down my cheeks. No, don't leave me. Please. I throw myself on his body and sob. He can't leave me because I love him

I hold him tighter. My chest hurts, my limbs are numb, and every part of me is ready to die with him. My man. My beast, with his broad chest, massive shoulders, a square jaw, and those pouty lips I'd recognize anywhere. He can't leave me. He can't.

Massimo! I fling my arms around him and press my lips to his. I kiss him fervently, lick his unresponsive mouth, and nibble on his lower lip. "Massimo. Massimo," I murmur. His lips part, and I slide my tongue inside. He sucks on my tongue, and I deepen the kiss, then pause. I raise my gaze past that hooked nose to those gorgeous gray eyes, through which he regards me. There's a spark deep inside; it snares me and won't let go.

"Massimo, you're alive!" I cry.

"You didn't think I was going to leave you that easily, did you?"

"You scared me!" I lower my mouth to his and kiss him again. He wraps his arms around me, hauls me closer, then gasps in pain.

"Sorry, sorry, you're hurt." I try to pull away from him, but he doesn't let go. "Massimo, you're hurt."

"Fuck that." He digs his fingers in my hair and pulls me close, then fits his mouth to mine. He tilts his head, thrusts his tongue between my lips, and kisses me passionately. I inhale his scent, draw his smell into my lungs, and allow his taste to sink into my blood, as I kiss him right back.

I don't hear the footsteps until they are almost on us. Massimo must hear it at the same time, for he pushes me to the side and raises his gun.

"We both know there are no bullets left in that," JJ drawls.

"What took you so long?" Massimo growls.

"Don't you mean, I'm just in time? If it weren't for me, you'd be dead." JJ holds out his hand to help me up. "You owe me."

An hour later, I glance toward the door of the examination room in the hospital. On the heels of JJ reaching us, an ambulance had drawn up. The paramedics had attended to Massimo right away. They had tried to take me aside to take care of my wounds, but I'd insisted on staying with Massimo.

He was hurt, but didn't fully lose consciousness. He held my hand the whole time, refusing to let me go, much to the chagrin of the first responders. One of them tried to separate us, and he growled at them. JJ finally intervened and told them to keep us together.

The cops arrived soon after, and JJ stayed back to deal with them while the ambulance rushed us to hospital. En route, Massimo answered my unasked question and assured me JJ would take care of everything. I didn't probe more, but I'm no fool. Given my own background with the Camorra , I know it means JJ has enough clout within the police force and the justice system to neutralize any consequences from what happened.

Once we reached the hospital, the doctors took Massimo away. When I protested, one of them explained they needed to take him into surgery right away to deal with the gunshot wound in his side. The full impact of what had happened finally sank in, and I confess, I almost fainted then. I allowed the nurses to take care of my wounds, but refused any painkillers. I wanted to stay awake for news on Massimo. The last I'd heard was that it was a minor surgery they'd had to perform on him, but he was okay and resting. They'd promised to send someone to take me to his room, which was on the floor above me, but so far, no one has arrived.

I slide off of the examination table. Except for the bump on my head from where I was hit by the butt of the gun, I haven't suffered any injuries. The nurses insisted I strip and wear the hospital gown so they could examine me thoroughly. I pull the slit in the gown closed to make sure I don't flash anyone by mistake, before I head to the door. I peek out and find there's a man on guard outside.

"Who're you?" I frown.

"Peter. I'm one of JJ's team."

"Are you?" I frown.

"Massimo was clear that he wants you watched twenty-four-seven."

"Hmm, how do I know you are who you say you are?"

Peter smiles. "It's good to be cautious." He pulls out his phone, dials a number, then hands it over to me.

"Who did you call?"

"Why don't you talk to JJ? He'll confirm what I told you."

Without taking my gaze off of him, I accept the phone.

"Hello?" JJ's voice comes on the line.

"It's Olivia," I reply.

"Ah, how are you feeling?" he asks.

"I'd feel a lot better if I could be with Massimo."

JJ chuckles. "Young love." A smile laces his tone.

"You're not that old," I retort.

"Too old to fall in love," he insists.

"Careful. You know what they say: when you're least looking for it, love finds you."

"As for me? The only four-letter word I'm acquainted with doesn't begin with an L, I assure you," he counters.

"Moving on swiftly." I cough. "I assume this Peter guy is one of yours?"

"Indeed. And I have guards posted outside Massimo's door, too. Peter will take you there. Hand the phone over to him, will you?"

"Thanks for everything, JJ." I hand the phone over to Peter who listens to whatever JJ has to say, then nods.

He disconnects the call and indicates I should precede him. He walks me to the elevator, takes me one floor up, and guides me down the corridor to Massimo's room.

I push the door open and peek inside to find him stretched out on the bed. His eyes are shut, his color pale. The darkness of his skin contrasts with the white sheets that surround him. I slip inside the room, ensuring the door closes quietly behind me. I pad over to the bed and survey him. His chest rises and falls, and the white of a bandage peeps around the hospital gown they've draped over him. On the other side, the black ink of his tattoo is visible from under the neckline. I pull over a chair and lower myself into it, then take his hand in mine. I place my head on the pillow next to his. The next thing I know, a whispered touch on my cheek has me snapping my eyes open.

His gray eyes—now almost colorless again—hold mine. I stare into their depths, allowing myself to get lost in the brilliance there.

"Hey." He cups my cheek.

"Hey..." I clear my throat. "How are you feeling?"

"How are you feeling?" he counters.

I can't stop the smile that curves my lips. "I guess you must be fine if you're answering my question with a question."

His lips twitch. "Seriously, though, are you okay?"

I glance down to where my fingers are still twined with his. "Never better. But when I saw you lying on the floor, I freaked out for a second."

"Sorry about that." He drags his thumb across the underside of my mouth. "JJ came just in time. I pushed you out the door, then turned, with every intention of firing and getting shot, but before I could pull my trigger, JJ burst in from the other side with his team. They took down every single man, except for that bastard who was leading them. I pumped every last bullet of mine into him, but that took the last of my strength, and my legs gave out from under me. I must have lost consciousness for a few minutes."

"If anything had happened to you—" my voice breaks. I clear my throat and try again, "If anything had happened to you, I'm not sure how I could have gone on. I wouldn't have been able to bear it, Massimo, truly. I thought I had lost you." A ball of emotion clogs my throat, and my heart somersaults in my chest. A heavy anchor weighs down my belly. "I can't live without you, Massimo. I can't."

He places his finger over my lips. "Shh, I'm here, baby. I am not going anywhere. From the moment I saw you, I knew our futures were intertwined. I knew you were exactly what I needed in my life. Knew, without a doubt, that you were my today and all of my tomorrows. That my yesterdays were nothing more than a blur of darkness until I met you."

"Oh." Heat sears my cheeks. "That is… so romantic."

He chuckles. "I'm only just getting started." He pulls me even closer. I lean my weight on him, and he groans.

"Oh, god, sorry, you're hurt. I shouldn't have—" I try to move away, but he holds me in place.

"You absolutely should." He peers deeply into my eyes. "Surely, it's the entire universe that conspired for us to meet. When I'm with you is the only time I feel like myself. When I'm with you, I love what I become. I love you."