Chapter 60
Caterina
I missed my wife; I missed every aspect of her from her bright smile to her shining personality.
Her aura lit up a room and banished the shadows.
She’d come such a long way since her first day here and she’d grown into a beautiful, strong woman.
I didn’t want to lose her, but she hadn’t woken up yet.
Since Harlow had been in a coma for over a month now, I’d been keeping my boys company although they knew something was missing.
They smelled Harlow on my skin each time I came here, and they whimpered for her.
Harlow took everyone by storm when I brought her here, like a spring shower that brought May flowers compared to my active volcano leaving nothing but destruction.
Lucifer walked up to me, smelling Harlow on my skin, and bumped his head on my thigh. “I know, bud, I miss her, too. But she will be awake soon.”
I spent two hours outside with my dogs and reading on my tablet before going back inside.
Without Vincenzo ruining everything, life had been peaceful.
I had more allies than enemies, so there was no one trying to kill me or ruin my shipments.
We had a grand reopening for our hotel, and my girls went back to work.
Everything was slowly getting back to normal, but now the only thing I needed was for Harlow to wake up.
I was expecting retribution in the coming weeks for the fall of Vincenzo Mancini.
Someone, I didn’t know who, but someone would come out of the woodwork to get vengeance or to steal his throne.
I also knew someone would want to keep the girls quiet after they started this investigation.
Vincenzo would die, but the men who paid him would serve for the pain they caused.
Harlow looked peaceful sleeping. Most of the bruising was gone, and the majority of her lacerations were healed.
Lena said she was healing beautifully from her GSWs, but whenever she woke up, she was going to be weak.
We’d have a few weeks of physical therapy before she was ready for strenuous activity.
I gently swept her hair away from her face, my fingers caressing her cheek.
Oh, what I would give to gaze into those mesmerizing, honey-colored eyes once again, to bask in the warmth of her laughter, to witness the life spark from her soul once more.
Harlow was my everything, my sole desire to live.
I kissed her forehead, letting my lips linger there, wishing reality had fairytale magic.
I’d never enjoyed those bullshit princess stories my mother would tell me, but now I wished a fairy godmother would awaken my queen with the wave of her hand, or for true love’s kiss to stir her from her slumber.
I would give anything just to see her open her eyes and come back home to me.
I pulled away, but to my shock, Harlow grabbed my wrist and pulled me back to her. Her grasp was weak, but it was there. “Stay.”
“Oh, fuck, baby.” I pulled away, seeing her eyes flutter open and her smiling at me weakly. She looked exhausted, but she was real. I grabbed both her cheeks, taking her in, hoping my mind wasn’t playing some kind of sick trick on me. “Are you really awake?”
“I think so. If this is heaven, it’s really nice.”
I slammed my lips to hers, finally feeling her press into me after so long. “I missed you.”
“I missed you more.”
“I’m going to get Lena.” I rushed out of the room and knocked on the door adjacent to my bedroom. Lena answered quickly, dressed in casual clothes. “She’s awake.”
She immediately followed behind me as we went back to the room. Harlow was still in bed, her eyes closed as we stepped back into the room. When she heard us, her eyes popped open and a smile spread across her lips. “Glad to see that smiling face again, Harlow.”
“How long was I out for?”
“Over a month.”
Her eyes grew. “A month? I’ve been unconscious for a month? Can I please take a shower? I feel disgusting.”
“Yes. We’ve been keeping your wounds clean and giving you sponge baths, but I know there is nothing better than a hot shower.” Lena checked her over as she kept a firm grip on my hand. “You’re healing beautifully.”
“Can I get out of this bed, please?”
“Yes. Movement will help you heal, as well, but I don’t mean this lightly—no sex.” Harlow’s cheeks heated as Lena glared my way. “I mean it. Keep your hands off of her.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Thank you, Lena.”
“Of course. There’s food waiting for you when you are ready to eat.” Harlow thanked her before she walked out of the room.
Harlow looked at me, her eyes wide with a burning question on the tip of her tongue. “Am I pregnant?” She sounded terrified of the answer.
I brushed her hair from her face and gave her a reassuring smile. “No, baby. Lena has been running constant blood tests and there is no sign of pregnancy, but she will keep doing them until you get your period.”
“Oh, thank God,” she sobbed in relief. “I couldn’t do it. I lost count of how many times he…I thought…”
I soothed her worried banter with a soft kiss. “It’s okay, my love.”
“Is he dead?”
I shook my head, and I couldn’t tell if she was relieved or terrified knowing he still breathed. “Not yet, bellissima. He’s in the basement. I wanted you to have your vengeance.”
She sobbed into me and clutched me closer to her like I was her lifeline. “I really thought he killed you.”
“He’ll never take me from you. Our souls are meant to be together in this lifetime, and every single one after.”
She pulled away from me and caressed my face before bringing my lips to hers.
She kissed me like she’d lose me again, and the way her body tensed, I knew this was hurting her.
I straddled her hips carefully, keeping our lips locked together.
She wanted this, and who was I to deny the queen of my empire what she desired?
She winced, gasping against my lips. “Easy, bellissima,” I told her as I pulled away. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t want to wake up and this will be a really good dream. I don’t want to go back to that nightmare.”
I laid down next to her, carefully pulling her into me as I kissed her neck. “You’ll never be stuck with him ever again. You’re free.”
“He raped me.” I tensed at her words. I already knew he did, but hearing her tell me broke my heart all over again, knowing she was going to tell me what she lived through while I was in a coma.
“Over and over. I fought. It didn’t matter that I thought you were dead.
I wanted to fight because I knew I needed to survive for you even if I wanted to be with you in the afterlife. ”
“You are a survivor, baby. You’re the strongest woman I know. My beautiful warrior queen. I love you so much. Whatever you need from me, you have it. I’m here for every part of this healing journey. Just promise me one thing.”
“W-what?”
“Don’t disappear. Don’t let the screaming and the demons win. If you’re struggling, talk to me or someone else. You aren’t alone. You’ll never be alone again.”