47. The Best Nurse Maid
CHAPTER 47
THE BEST NURSE MAID
S erena
The heavy scent of antiseptic lingers in the air as I cross the quiet corridor of the hospital, the buzz of the halogen lights overhead the only sound besides my steadily increasing heartrate. The idea of escaping to Rome without seeing Alessandro first is unacceptable. I know Antonio would never approve which is exactly why I didn’t ask.
I tug the cap I bought from a street vendor further down over my eyes, hoping desperately not to be recognized. With my blonde locks tucked underneath the hat and wearing Antonio’s oversized sweatshirt again, I don’t look a thing like the real Serena Valentino.
Not that I know who exactly that is anymore.
I’ve always been reckless and had shit taste in men, but this thing with Antonio has absolutely flipped my world upside down. I’ve fucked lots of guys, but it was never like this. Amazing sex is one thing, but the part that has me messed up in the head are the unexpected feelings I’m catching. And I don’t think I’m the only one. Already, I’ve felt the shift between us.
The sight of a uniformed guard sitting in front of a room ahead draws me from the jumble of thoughts. I pause, muttering curses. Of course there’d be a guard. Did I really think I could just stroll in? Even if Uncle Marco hasn’t arrived yet, he probably hired some local guys to keep an eye on Ale until he lands.
Throwing my shoulders back, I saunter up to the guard and flash him a smile. “Do you know who I am?”
The young guy’s eyes widen, dropping his phone on the floor. Before he can reach for it, I press my foot down on the screen. Not hard enough so that it breaks the glass, but firmly enough so that he knows I mean business.
“I’m Alessandro’s cousin, but no one can know I’m here. Do you understand?” I slide my hand to the gun at my hip, hidden beneath the oversized sweatshirt. It’s a good thing we aren’t in the U.S. There’s no way I would have been able to walk into a hospital armed.
“Yes, signorina Valentino. I know who you are.”
“I just need a few minutes with him, then you can call whoever you have to.”
“Let her in.” A rough voice echoes from inside the room, and my heart rockets up my throat.
“Ale!” I barrel by the guard and race in, eyes locking on the familiar form of my cousin stretched across the hospital bed. Oh, Dio . I stiffen my upper lip as I take him in, the entire left side of his torso covered in bandages that run all the way up to his hairline. He’s never going to forgive me, that perfect face of his must be ruined.
I resist the urge to throw my arms around him just to ensure he’s alright.
“No smart remark, Sere?” he whispers, his voice nothing like its typical cocky timbre. “I must really look like shit.”
“Nah, you look good, Ale, really good for someone who just got blown up.”
The hint of a smile lifts the corner of his lip before he winces.
“Fuck, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I could use a little humor in my life.”
I fold onto the bed beside him, careful not to jar the mattress or tangle the wires and tubes coming out of him. “Not for the comment, bastardo . I’m so sorry I got you caught in this mess.”
“Not your fault. I volunteered for the rescue mission.”
“Why would you do something so stupid?”
“I don’t know, Sere, maybe I missed your face.”
I chuckle, finding his hand beneath the bandages and squeeze. “I missed you too. I miss all of you.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re coming home with me as soon as the doctor gives me the all-clear to fly.”
I nod, but my face must give something away because his dark brows furrow.
“You are coming home with us, right?”
“Yup. Just as long as Pa sticks to his word.”
“Which is?”
I blow out a breath, shifting on the small bed. “You don’t want to know.”
“Listen, you already dragged me into this shit, so I deserve to hear the whole story. I’m guessing it has something to do with you making out with the asshole who captured you?”
“It’s complicated…”
A rueful chuckle slips out, and again, he winces. “It always is with you, Serena.”
“I made Papà promise not to kill Ferrara, but I’m worried he won’t stick to his vow.”
“Of course he won’t. The man stole you from us, held you hostage, then tried to use you as leverage against Dante. You have met your father, right?”
Rolling my eyes, I let out a grunt. “I see Bella caught you up on everything.” Traitor .
“I wouldn’t have volunteered without being privy to the whole story.”
“Fair enough.”
“Please don’t tell me you’ve fallen for this guy?”
“No, of course not,” I blurt, a little too quickly apparently because Ale’s brows arch incredulously.
“Holy shit, you have!” His nostrils flare as he eyes me before his lips twist in disgust. “Oh, damn it, Serena, you’re fucking him, aren’t you? I can practically smell him all over you.”
“I’m glad the explosion didn’t do anything for your sense of smell,” I snap, crossing my legs, then my arms over my chest. The man has always had a weirdly sensitive gift for tracking scents.
“Oh, merda , it’s more than just fucking, isn’t it?” His worried gaze rakes over me, and the irritation lessens a bit.
“I don’t know…” I mutter. “All I know is that I don’t want him dead.”
“He didn’t hurt you?”
I shake my head. “He saved me—a few times.”
Ale lets out a low whistle before laying his head back on the pillow. I can see the exhaustion carved into his face, and I feel like a total asshole going on and on about my problems when he’s lucky to be alive.
“None of it matters.” I squeeze his hand again. “I’m just glad you’re okay and that all of this will be over soon.”
He nods. “My parents should be here any minute. The jet landed just before you got here. If you don’t want my dad handcuffing you to the chair to ensure your departure in a few days, I’d get out of here ASAP.”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
“Don’t make me regret it, Sere. Figure out your shit with this guy and get your ass back home. From what the doctors say, you’ll have two or three days max. And you know I’ll be itching to get out of here as soon as possible.”
I jump up, irrational fear of my uncle and aunt arriving before I can escape suddenly overwhelming. “I swear I’ll be here.” I grab a piece of paper from the nightstand and jot down my number. “Just call me when it’s time and please don’t share this number with anyone. If my dad asks, tell him you haven’t seen me, okay?”
“That’s a big ask, Sere.”
“I know.”
“Dante’s going to kill me if he finds out…”
“He won’t.” I tick my head at the guard by the door. “Just give him some cash to keep my secret. I would, but I’m kind of low on funds.”
Alessandro rolls his eyes before motioning toward a clear plastic bag on a chair across the room. “My wallet is in there. Grab whatever you need.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. I can’t have you running around with some mobster without cash for a quick getaway.” His gaze drifts down to the gun at my waist. “I’m assuming he trusts you since he’s letting you carry a gun. The guy must be as batshit crazy for you as you are for him.” He grins and man, it feels good to see it. “Maybe it’s a Ferrara thing.”
Now I’m the one smiling. Maybe he’s right. I can’t help but think about Raf and Bella and how happy they are together. The man worships the ground she walks on.
Rifling through the bag of my cousin’s belongings, my thoughts suddenly take a dark turn, chest hollowing out. What if he hadn’t survived? What if this had been all that was left of Alessandro? I swallow hard, forcing down the fear. Dio , I never would have forgiven myself. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“And I’m really sorry about everything.”
“Don’t be sorry, just don’t fuck up again, okay?”
I nod, stuffing a few hundred-dollar bills in my pocket. “And when we’re all back in Manhattan, I swear I’ll be the best nurse maid.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me, Serena.” He chuckles, amusement dancing across his dark eyes. “You’d be an absolutely awful caretaker.”
“You know me too well.” I close the distance between us and gently wrap my arms around his head, the least injured part of him, and squeeze. “Love you, asshole.”
“Same, Sere.” He holds my gaze as I turn to walk out. “And if you don’t show up when I call, I will personally hunt down Antonio Ferrara until I find you.”
Twisting my head around my shoulder, I throw him a smile. “Thanks, cuz.”