Two.
Ashlee
All I was aware of was pain.
What happened?
One minute I was in Ethan's arms dancing, and then there was pain.
Fuck.
I groaned, struggling to open my eyes, only to be seared by blinding light. Memories came flooding back with a brutal clarity—I had been shot. At my own wedding. Rage mingled with confusion as I forced my eyes open again, squinting at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Where the hell was I?
Panic set in as I attempted to turn, a cry of agony escaping my lips as excruciating pain shot down my arm. My body was a prison, every movement a torment.
“Baby, take it easy, I'm here.”
Ethan’s face loomed above mine, his intense gaze burning into my soul. His rough palm cupped my cheek with surprising tenderness.
“Ethan,” I breathed, my voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes.
“I’m here, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice a dark promise.
I couldn't hold back anymore. The flood of emotions from the past few days overwhelmed me, and I broke down, my tears spilling over like a dam that had finally burst.
“Ashlee, baby, I’m right here. I've got you.” He sat on the bed and gently slipped his arm around me. “I’m here.”
“I’m sorry,” I spluttered.
“For what, sweetheart?”
“For crying. For getting hurt.”
“Ashlee, don’t you dare apologise for what those bastards did to you. They were aiming for me,” he growled. “And it's okay to cry. I've got you, baby, so let it all out.”
I managed to slip my good arm over him, resting my head against his chest as I allowed myself to break down.
“Red,” a voice sounded behind me. “It’s okay.”
“Mags,” I sobbed.
He hugged me gently on my other side, and I was grateful that both of my men were here with me. When I eventually calmed down, I sat back between both of them. “What’s the damage?” I asked.
“A clean shot through your shoulder,” Ethan explained. “It's been cleaned and stitched up. There shouldn't be any lasting damage besides a scar.”
I released a sigh. “I’m glad it wasn't you, Ethan.”
“What? Fucking hell, baby, I’d take a bullet for you without question. It should have been me.”
“No, it shouldn’t have been anyone,” Mags hissed. “It was your fucking wedding. How did they know we were there? Someone must have told them.”
I felt Ethan's posture stiffen beside me. “You think we have a traitor?”
“How else would Dmitry turn up there ready to kill you? Only those invited knew where and when it was.”
I felt whatever colour I had left draining from my face, my stomach dropping in dread.
“Stefan needs to interrogate the hostage.”
“I'm sure he will. I'll speak to dad later,” Ethan muttered.
“I'll go and speak to him now. You shouldn't leave your wife, pal. She needs you.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat.
Wife.
I was now married. Holy shit.
“Mags,” I mumbled as he started to move. I needed him as well. I needed him to know how much my soul craved him.
He turned and pressed his lips to mine softly. “I'll be back, Red, so don’t you worry. I love you.” He kissed me again and then left the room.
Ethan's strong hands gently guided me upright, his touch electrifying even through the haze of my discomfort. He meticulously arranged a pillow behind me, his closeness intoxicating. As he handed me a glass of water from the bedside table, our fingers brushed, sending a jolt of heat through my body. The cool liquid slid down my parched throat, an elixir that seemed to revive not just my body but the very essence of my being.
“Ash, please stop moaning like that,” Ethan murmured.
“Sorry.” I chuckled and then winced. “My throat was dry.” I handed him back the empty glass and then leaned into him as much as I was able to.
“I was so scared, Ash,” Ethan muttered a minute later. “I can't lose you, sweetheart.”
“You won't. You're my husband now,” I said. “I'm not going anywhere.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “My wife, I can't wait for you to heal. We need to consummate our marriage.”
I chuckled. “I assume we're not going away now.”
“We are, sweetheart, but once you're feeling better. Mags and I can hardly wreck you when you're this hurt.”
I bit my lower lip.
“Oh yes, Ash, we're going to claim your body. You're going to be my filthy little slut just like you agreed. Then we'll worship every inch of your skin before ruining it again.”
“I look forward to it.” I grinned as a wave of heat swept through my body.
He kissed me more firmly, his tongue slipping between my lips. “I love you, wife.”
“I love you too, husband.”
“Now rest. You need to get your strength back.”
“Stay with me,” I murmured.
“I'm not going anywhere.”
We laid down and I got comfortable in his arms without putting any pressure on my injured shoulder. Then I soon drifted back to sleep.
***
“How is she?”
“She’ll be okay.”
The voices jolted me from my sleep.
“And what about you? Luca said you got hit.”
Hit?
I shuffled up and looked at Ethan beside me. “Are you hurt?”
“No, sweetheart,” he said with a soft chuckle. “Mags got shot last night.”
“It’s just a scratch.”
I eased myself around to find him laying on my other side topless, only now noticing the red stained bandage around his waist. “Mags, fuck.”
“Relax, Red, it’s fine.”
How the hell did I miss this earlier?
“It's not! What the hell were you doing?”
“Getting some revenge, princess,” he replied. “I’m fine, honestly.”
Mario chuckled in the doorway drawing my attention to him. “I’m glad you're awake, Ashlee. Hannah and Grace both send their love.”
“Are they alright?”
Jesus, I'd barely thought of them after what happened.
“They’re fine. I took them both home after they were satisfied that you were going to be fine.”
“Thank you, Mario,” I said.
"I'm sure Ro would be happy to bring them around to see you tomorrow. I'm taking you home in the morning,” Ethan said with a smile.
My lips turned into the biggest grin. “That would be amazing. Thank you!”
“Tieni le mani lontane da lei, fratello,” Ethan smirked.
“Cosa potresti mai voler dire con questo?”
“So che l'hai baciata. Solo stai attento.”
I hated the fact I didn’t know what they were saying. I glanced at Mags with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t look at me, Red. I haven't got a clue.”
“è solo un po' di innocuo divertimento.”
Ethan shook his head before looking at me. “I mean it, Ro.”
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, dad wants to speak to you.”
“Fine,” Ethan muttered. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, baby. Mags, look after my wife.” He winked as he stood.
Mags chuckled. “Of course.”
We watched Ethan leave with Mario, the tension in the room simmering down to a charged silence. I turned to him, my eyes drifting to the blood-streaked bandage. "Are you really okay?" I asked, my voice a mix of concern and urgency.
"It's just a graze, Red," he reassured, his tone gruff but tender. "Don't worry about me."
"But I can't help it," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "I love you."
His gaze softened, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes before he leaned in, capturing my lips in a kiss that was both fierce and tender, a promise of the dangerous passion that bound us together. “We’ll both heal, princess, and the sooner we do, the sooner I can sink my cock into you.”
I chuckled. “I look forward to it.”
“Now you have two choices, Red. You can either sleep, or we can have a game of cards.” He grinned as he pulled a pack out of his pocket.
“Cards, obviously.”
He laughed. “Do you know Poker?”
“I only know Blackjack and Snap.”
“Oh, princess, let me teach you the art of Poker.”
“Bring it on.” I grinned as he pulled the stack out and shuffled them.