Chapter 8 Harlow
Harlow
The smell of antiseptic invaded my senses as a constant beeping screamed in the room.
It was an annoying sound, and then I remembered.
My eyes flew open to white walls, and I gasped as I attempted to sit up but failed miserably.
Pain rippled through my body as I squeezed my eyes shut.
Fuck, this hurt. The machine went haywire and the door opened as I heard multiple footsteps around me.
“Hey, it’s okay, baby. Take deep breaths.” Her voice was soothing like the sounds of birds chirping after a rainstorm. “I’m here. I’m always here.”
I scrunched my nose before I realized where I was. My body jolted, but barely moved, still causing pain to shoot through my body. “Son of a bitch,” I grumbled.
“Don’t move, my love,” Caterina said, her soft hands brushing through my hair. “Breathe. You’re safe.”
“I-Is Vito and Raul…?”
Her face dropped. “Vito died, baby. Raul is in surgery.” I sobbed harder, knowing it was my fault he died.
“I’m sorry!” My body shook as Caterina pulled me into her embrace. “It’s my fault. I never—”
“It’s not your fault. Xavier is going to pay for what he did; not just to you and Elizabeth, but for hurting my men.”
My eyes snapped open and I pushed away from her. “W-where is Lizzy? Did she get away? I to-told her to run after…”
She brushed my hair back. “She is safe, bellissima. We found her and she told us where you were.”
“Oh, thank God.” I rested my head on the hospital bed. “Do you have mouthwash? Or gum? I want his taste out of my mouth.”
Her eyes went dark, peering into what happened before she found me. “Of course, bellissima.” She stepped to the storage area of the room and grabbed a small bottle of mouthwash.
She helped me sit up as I downed half of it, swishing it in my mouth to rid his vile taste.
The one thing that made me happy was knowing Caterina got him and he would die, but I wished Vito didn’t die protecting us, and Lizzy wasn’t subjected to Xavier.
Lizzy was so strong, but I knew this would be difficult for her.
I just hoped she would heal instead of sinking into an abyss.
We were both still free because of Luca and Caterina.
“Is he dead?”
“Not yet, but he probably wishes he was. He is in the basement. Luca took Lizzy home and he is down there tormenting him as we speak.”
I closed my eyes and rested my head on the horrible hospital pillow. “If we never would have gone shopping, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Caterina pushed my hair away from my face and brushed the tears that fell.
“You should never be afraid to live, Harlow. You are free after years of torment and abuse. You are free to choose everything you want in life. Next time, we will make sure you are extra protected—or I’ll just fly you to Europe to shop. ”
“You can’t do that.”
“And why not?”
“Caterina, that’s expensive.”
She smiled. “You are worth every penny. Besides, I like the thought of you in my money.”
My lip trembled. “Caterina, what if…what if someone else dies? Vito…”
She brushed my hair out of my face. “Vito’s death will be avenged, bellissima. I am going to make sure he has a beautiful funeral.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t apologize. I am going to make Vincenzo pay for every life he took.”
It hadn’t been twenty-four hours yet, but it felt like a lifetime. I was back in their grasp, but thankfully Vincenzo was na?ve enough to only send Xavier. He was strong, one of Vincenzo’s cruelest men, but he was nothing against my wife. I was safe once more.
Caterina picked me up bridal style and carried me into the house while Malachi brought in the wheelchair. I hated having to use it, but Caterina said I had to if I wanted to move. I would rather use Caterina as my personal taxi and ride her in a different way.
Lena was waiting for us when Caterina kicked her bedroom door open. “Lena is going to monitor you tonight, but first she’s going to make sure you are okay first. Then, we can do whatever you want.”
“I need a bath.”
“Unfortunately, you have stitches and you can’t soak those. The best we can do is a sponge bath or a seated shower with waterproof bandages.”
I grimaced. What I really wanted was fire on my skin burning his touch away, but I’d take what I could get.
Caterina would have to replace the horrible feeling on my skin with a better sensation.
Xavier’s vile touch was imprinted on my skin, and I could still taste him in my mouth.
Thankfully, I didn’t have the reminder of how putrid he tasted, only the metallic taste of his blood and the satisfaction of hearing him scream.
Lena helped apply plastic wrap to my wounds. It was annoying, but it would work. Caterina then helped me to the shower, removing the remainder of my clothes. I couldn’t wait until I could shower completely without any barrier on my skin. When I imagined a shower with my wife, it wasn’t like this.
Caterina pulled my hair from my neck and used a wash rag to carefully scrub my skin.
I wanted her to scrub my skin raw, but I knew she wouldn’t with my injuries.
I couldn’t do it myself, so I guess I would suck it up and take this.
I rested my forehead on her torso as the water hit my back.
Lena didn’t want my injuries directly under the water, so this would suffice.
“Did Vito have a wife or children?”
“No. Vito was a widower himself. No children. Only his brother.”
“Does his brother have anyone?”
“Yes. His brother is married with three children. Vito risked his life for you and Elizabeth. His sacrifice won’t be in vain, bellissima.”
“If we didn’t leave them, they would be alive, Lizzy wouldn’t be retraumatized, and I wouldn’t be hurt.” I never should have let Lizzy do it. I didn’t blame her; I blamed myself. I knew the risk and I followed anyway. I made a mistake leaving the mansion.
Caterina wrapped her arms tighter around me.
“Harlow, he knew where you were, which meant he could have attacked anywhere. Whether it was at the shop or in the parking garage, this would have happened. He had a mission, and it was to get you. That mission cost him his life. You don’t deserve to be living in fear.
You deserve more than just surviving, Harlow. You deserve to live.”
“How can I when my life puts everyone else in danger? I can’t live when he is still alive.”
She kissed my temple. “I know you’re scared, but you let him win if he sees you retreating. I’ll make sure you have more protection, but we won’t be hiding. You deserve the world, Harlow.”
“I’m scared.”
“I’ll protect you, Harlow.”
It was a promise I hoped she could keep.