CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
RAINA
I wake up to Bella and Athena staring at me, and I’m immediately uncomfortable as fuck. I’m not sure what they want, but I assume the worst. Oh my God. Do they know about the ADA?
Chill, Raina. Breathe. Don’t make it so obvious.
The brunette smiles softly, “I’m Athena.”
Bella giggles at my confused expression, because I’m not sure why they’re here.
“She’s Bones’ wife.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Ah yes, my almost killer.”
If my words bother her, she doesn’t show it.
“How are you feeling?” Athena asks.
“Okay, I guess. I still have some pain, but it’s getting better. The doctor took the chest tube out, and my lungs seem to be functioning again. Now, I’m just waiting to see if your husband is going to shoot me again. I may not be so lucky next time.”
Her blue eyes focus on mine, like she’s trying to be sure I’m listening to her words.
“Luca isn’t going to hurt you.”
“Luca?” I ask.
Bella answers for her.
“They all go by nicknames. Bones is Luca, Reaper is Nico, Kage is Lorenzo, and Psycho’s real name is Massimo, but I suggest not calling them by their real names. Except Kage, for you, because it tends to be something only their women get away with.”
Athena giggles as she adds, “Sometimes Luca will first name them if they are pissing him off.”
I know, as I look at them both, that I don’t fit in. We are not the same, not at all. Both of these women are pictures of happiness. Everything I’m not.
“I’m tired. I need to get some sleep.”
That’s a lie. I’m wide awake, but that’s my go to now when everything begins to be too much, which seems to be almost always lately.
They both rise from their seats, and Athena places her palm over the back of my hand and squeezes gently.
“He loves you. I know the Bonetti men aren’t great at showing it with actions, and I’m not sure he even realizes it yet, but he does.”
I gaze at her as a tear rolls down my cheek.
“If that’s love, I don’t want it. His version of love has me feeling like I’m suffocating. It’s cruel, and painful. Love doesn’t torture. I think you’re wrong. He hates me as much as I hate him.”
She doesn’t respond to what I said, she just looks at me with sad eyes.
“Get some rest, honey. We’ll check on you later, if that’s okay?”
I turn my head away from her gaze.
“I’d prefer you didn’t. Really, I just want to be left alone.”
She takes her hand away from me, clearly understanding.
“Of course, Raina. Take care of yourself.”
They both seem nice, but they are Bonettis. I cannot risk developing a friendship, when I’m going to help the district attorney’s office take them down. The women likely won’t go to prison, but we won’t be on friendly terms after I take everything from them. I’ll be the person that costs them their entire world. That automatically makes me enemy number one. Friendship will only make it more difficult than it already is.
The nurse brings in a tray of food, and sets it on the table, before moving it in front of me. I look at the disgusting food that nearly makes me sick. Salisbury steak that looks like it’s been reheated a thousand times. Mashed potatoes that I’d bet money are instant. Nothing looks appetizing beyond the cup of water.
“Thank you,” I say as she walks away. I’ll be polite, but I’m not eating this crap.
Two hours later, Kage walks in like he’s ready to kill me, with his hands fisted and a scowl on his face.
“Why the fuck are you refusing to eat?”
I roll my eyes.
“I’m not.”
He arches an eyebrow. “So the medical staff is lying to me, when they say you haven’t eaten in two days?”
I shrug my shoulders, as I continue to flip through the magazine one of the nurses brought for me.
“Use your goddamn words, Raina. Why are you not eating?”
I glance up from the entertainment trash I’m not even really reading, and snap at him.
“Because the food tastes like fucking shit, that’s why. If I get hungry enough, I’ll eat it. Alright?”
He visibly relaxes as he sits in the chair beside my bed, and stares at me with a look I don’t quite understand.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I go back to turning the pages in the magazine.
“Why would I tell you anything, Kage?”
He doesn’t say anything, he just keeps staring at me, like he can see right through my clothes. I lay the magazine on my lap, and cross my arms over my chest, while he smirks at me.
“Are you cold, Firecracker? Or are you just happy to see me?”
My glare is instant, as I say, “I’m definitely not happy to see you, Kage. That will never be the case.”
He rises from his seat and places his hand on my throat, as he stares at me with a fire in his dark eyes.
“It’s Lorenzo. My fucking name to you is Lorenzo. Now what do you want to eat?”
“Nothing,” I whisper as I stare back at him, wishing my body wasn’t heating up, at his close proximity.
“So I’m eating alone then, baby? Is that how it’s going to be?”
I lay frozen, trapped in his intense gaze. “I guess so, because I don’t want to eat right now.”
He releases his light hold on my throat and walks over to the door, closes it, and locks it. Well, shit. I didn’t realize it had a lock. Had I, I would’ve locked him out already.
“What are you doing?”
Grabbing the hem of the hospital gown I’m wearing, he yanks it up, revealing my naked body.
“Stop. What are you doing?”
Kage runs his tongue over his bottom lip.
“Eating my way to your heart, baby.”
Pushing my legs open, he groans softly.
“Such a pretty pussy.”
I warn him, “Kage, we are in a hospital. I’m sure somebody has a key. They could come in and see this.”
He chuckles. “They could. What happens when someone sees what’s mine, Firecracker?”
“They die,” I whimper, as he leans down and slides his tongue up my slit.
Licking his lips, he grins, “Good girl. See, you’re learning the way it is, baby. Now be my good girl and come all over my face.”