Chapter Twenty-Two
Jane
M y smile was tentative as I looked up at the aging doctor. “So I can really leave today?”
“Yes, there’s nothing more we can do for you that a whole lot of rest and recuperation at home won’t achieve. You’re free to go.”
Relief swept through me. “Thank you,” I said. “For everything.”
“You’re more than welcome.” He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses. “Just...look after yourself.”
“I intend to.”
He smiled and nodded, then talked to a nurse in a low murmur as I grabbed my bag and packed my few belongings into it. I had no doubt they were discussing the next patient who’d take my bed. There were never enough beds to go around.
After a quick shower, I dressed into plain black pants and a cream blouse, before I called a cab and scooped up my bag. Though I was weak, there was enough excitement and adrenaline sweeping through me to give me the extra boost of energy I needed.
My regular nurse came in and smiled. “How wonderful you’re going home. I’m sure that young man of yours will look after you.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was capable of looking after myself and intended to do exactly that from now on. I especially didn’t even want to think about the long, lonely days ahead of me. “I can’t thank you enough.”
She clucked her tongue. “It’s my job young lady, and you’ve been a wonderful patient.”
I gave her a quick hug, then stepped back and mumbled goodbye before I hurried toward the door, then stepped through it. I blinked at the suited man stationed just outside. “Who are you?”
He nodded respectfully. “I’m your guard.”
My smile twisted. He’d been invisible outside my door. “Of course you are,” I said quietly. Alessandro never did anything half-hearted. I lifted my chin, doing my best to look strong when my strength was already fading. “Well you’re free to go now. I’ve been released from hospital, your job is done.”
He shook his head, his blue stare resolute above his hooked nose and trimmed facial hair. “I’m free to go only when Alessandro tells me.”
For fuck’s sake.
“Fine then,” I said behind gritted teeth. “I’m heading to Alessandro’s now anyway.”
He tagged along with me to the bank of elevators when I groaned and said, “I left my cell in my room. Would you mind grabbing it for me?”
His eyes narrowed. “Wait here then. Do not go anywhere.”
The elevator doors whooshed open and I didn’t move. “Waiting,” I said pointedly.
He stalked back into my room when I stepped into the elevator and closed its doors, jabbing the ground floor button and sagging with relief when it descended. I refused to feel bad. I’d had enough of men controlling my life.
I half-ran, half-walked toward the exit, giddiness almost overwhelming me on finding my cab waiting for me. It seemed to take forever to return to my home and business, and I couldn’t pay the driver quick enough before I clambered out and ran to the storage room door.
My legs were shaking with both fatigue and excitement when I unlocked it and locked it again behind me. It wasn’t until I walked into my shop that my eyes widened and I dropped my bag from suddenly numb fingers.
Not only were the windows all fixed and tinted, framed lattice panels had been built a few yards back from them, enabling me to create whatever scenery I wanted behind my mannequins. I looked up at the security cameras, before I glanced down at the teak-stained floorboards underfoot.
I put a shaky hand to my mouth, shocked surprised turning to overwhelming gratitude when I noted the walls with inbuilt shelving and tiny lights.
Alessandro had done all this for me while I’d been in hospital. He was the only one I’d spoken to about my dreams and ambitions, and he’d acted on them for me.
I was wiping moisture from my eyes when a tread sounded behind me. I spun around, Alessandro watching me with his head cocked to the side and his stare wary. He was in his usual dark suit and white dress shirt, and my heart ached at the sight of him.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
I gaped. Did he think I wouldn’t? “I-I love it!”
“You do?”
I nodded, then burst into flooding tears.
He stalked toward me and pulled me into his arms, holding me against him. “Please tell me they’re happy tears?”
They are,” I hiccupped against his chest.
I looked up at him to find his own eyes were shining. Then he gently thumbed away my tears and leaned down to kiss me, his lips wonderfully familiar, gentle and yet demanding. It made me realize how much I missed him. How much I needed him.
How much I loved him.
I stiffened and he pulled back with dark eyes. “I know this is a lot to take in. I was gambling you’d be happy with the result and it would be everything you wanted. If not, we can make changes and—“
“It’s perfect,” I said huskily. How had I ever thought his eyes were cruel? They shone with warmth and something even deeper and more intense. “ You’re perfect,” I added.
His sharp inhalation showed just how much he cared. He covered my jaw with his hands, then trailed the back of his fingers up and over my head, reverently touching my scarred skull, the stiches that seemingly held my head together. “You’re everything to me,” he said throatily. “You’re my sun and moon, my entire world.”
I swallowed hard, hope burning through me like flame on a detonating cord of explosives. “So my shaved-off hair, my scars and bruises don’t bother you?”
His eyes narrowed, disbelief shining in his stare. “How could they? They’re a roadmap showcasing the most exquisite woman I’ve ever known.”
From anyone else those words would have been corny and superficial; from him they meant everything. He wore his heart on his sleeve. My smile was tremulous as I looked up at him. “I thought you’d be put off. I thought you’d be wishing for the woman you first met.”
“The woman I first met might have been the woman I wanted, but the woman I see now is the woman I’ve fallen in love with.”
My heart thrummed, my voice choking. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“Every word, little sparrow.”
I pressed a hand to my chest. “I’d once imagined I’d never change my looks to keep a man happy. How wrong I was.”
“Your hair will grow back and cover your scars, and even if it didn’t it wouldn’t matter to me.” He shook his head, his eyes glistening and his voice emotional. “If you hadn’t taken off your seatbelt, you wouldn’t have been thrown to the back of the car and still be here today. The rest of that car was a pancake.”
A shiver went down my spine. “The universe must still have plans for us.”
He nodded. “Let’s not waste a minute of our second chance.” He pulled a small box from his jacket pocket. “I meant to give you this sometime ago.”
My pulse accelerated and my eyes burned some more. “You spoil me.”
He held my stare. “Because you deserve to be spoiled.”
He opened up the lid and I gasped at the chunky vintage chain with its heart pendant. “It’s beautiful,” I croaked.
“Allow me,” he said, taking the necklace out of its velvet box before standing behind me and positioning it around my throat. His fingertips scraped my skin and made me shiver with yearning, my senses attuned to him. “It’s perfect on you,” he added huskily.
I turned back around to face him, my voice soft. “You really aren’t like any man I’ve dated.”
His jaw tightened ever so slightly. “Tell me that’s a good thing.”
“A good thing? Of course it is! Alessandro, I meant what I said when I was locked in your car with that truck hurtling toward me. I love you! I love everything about you.”
He shook his head, disbelief and hope turning his voice hoarse. “You’re too good, too pure for the likes of me.”
I smiled up at him. “Don’t you see? We balance each other out.”
It was my turn to clasp his face, before I stood on tiptoes to kiss him, then proceeded to show him exactly how much I really did love him.