Chapter 27 - Stefano
I didn’t even feel the bullet when it hit me. I didn’t feel pain, and I didn’t feel pressure or the impact. Nothing.
All I was thinking about at the time was that I needed to protect Darya and keep her hidden behind me.
I still can’t believe it was Reina who was orchestrating all of the attacks on my warehouse. She stood to lose business in the process, but she still went ahead and took that risk—all because she thought that we were something more than we were. I had no idea she felt that way. She always played it so casual and cool, agreeing with me that it was just a fling.
Perhaps she did it to keep me close. I don’t know.
I do care—she was someone I knew for a very long time, and it’s terrible that it all had to go down this way.
I wish we could have gotten her help somehow.
But it’s too late.
The moment she threatened Darya in anyway whatsoever—that was her mistake.
I push the button on the hospital bed to raise the backrest so that I can sit up for a bit. Pain shoots through my side when I do it, but I am so sick and tired of just lying here doing nothing. I am bored.
Maxim is on his way to see me and to report back about the warehouse and whether or not Reina was working with anyone else.
I pick up my phone and glance at the time. Darya is supposed to be here in an hour. She went home to get me some fresh clothes in case the doc releases me today. I’m hopeful— even if it means I will be on bedrest at home, it’s better than being on bedrest in this place. It smells sterile and clinical.
“Hey man, how’re you doing today?” Maxim walks in with his usual charisma.
“I have definitely been better,” I chuckle. And then wince because the muscles pull tight across my abdomen and hurt like hell.
“So what did the doc say? How did the surgery go?”
“The bullet went straight through, so I was pretty lucky. But I have a lot of resting to do apparently, so that it can heal properly.” I roll my eyes and sigh.
“You know, this whole scene looks pretty familiar. We really need to stop getting shot, man.” Maxim laughs as though it is hilarious.
“Sure, next time someone’s aiming a gun at you I won’t dive in the way, I’ll skip that pain—but if anyone aims a gun at Darya, I guess I’m going to be right back here again.”
“Hey, but I took a shot for you.” He feigns hurt as he places his hand over his heart.
“No, I’m still incredibly grateful that you did that for me. Seriously, man.”
“Well, I am grateful you did it for my sister. She’s found a really great guy in you.”
I smile widely, because that is the first time he has ever really made a comment to show that he is genuinely happy that I am married to his sister.
“Where is that little rabbit?” Maxim asks.
“She went home to get me some things, I am sure she will be back soon.”
Maxim grabs a chair and drags it to the side of my bed. “Well, more for us then,” he says, lifting the takeaway bag in his hand.
“Oh my gosh, did you bring me some actual food? This hospital food has been more painful than the gunshot.”
“I did indeed. Good old cheeseburgers and fries.” He grins and pulls the bag open, handing me a burger box. “Don’t let the doctor see. And if he finds out, I am denying any involvement,” he laughs.
“Damn, now this is love," I sigh, taking the burger.
“Hey, hey, let’s not jump to conclusions,” Maxim says, faking horror.
I lean over and slap his shoulder, wincing again because I am an idiot thinking I can move normally. “I know it’s love. Actions speaker louder than words.” I laugh and Maxim grins, taking a bite of his burger.
“Mm. Damn, they really know how to make a burger.”
We eat and chat and laugh for a while, then Maxim clears away our burger boxes and sits down again.
He pulls out his phone.
“Alright, so these are the names we pulled together—the people who were helping Reina.”
“Oh, great. You did manage to get some more names.”
“Once they found out she was dead, the other workers were all too keen to get rid of the bad apples in their group. Turns out she had threatened all of their families if they spoke.”
“Tell me the names,” I say, feeling tense.
“Gerard Manchester, Bennie Lock, Lester Carlton and Peter Crane.”
“Mm. Alright. None of them were really close to me. I’m relieved to hear it wasn’t one of my good guys. So what did you guys do with them?”
“We took it a little easy on them, because even these guys swear they were only helping because she threatened them, and these four were not involved in Darya’s kidnapping. We didn’t break any bones, but they are blacklisted in the city. They will never find work anywhere near here again. They are going to have to relocate.”
“Okay, that’s good. As long as I never have to see their faces again.”
“Listen, with Reina out of the picture, my sister is gunning for her position. She wants to run client liaison and shipments in your company.”
“Darya doesn’t have to work,” I say in shock.
“Well, you try and tell her that. She is hell-bent on getting the job. She wants to interview for it.”
“If she really wants it, it’s hers.”
“Don’t just give it to her. She wants to work for it. She’s been an insanely hard worker her entire life, and she feels more accomplished when she actually earns her place. Our father taught us to work for what we want.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, nodding.
“I am going to head out of here now, then. The guys are really impressed with the new shipment plan, by the way. When you get out and are feeling better, you can put together a proper report, but for now it’s pretty obvious that it’s working damn well.”
“Excellent news. I’m glad to hear that.”
Maxim reaches out and squeezes my shoulder.
“Seriously. I’m happy you're good. We all are. They guys all send their love. We are looking forward to getting you back on your feet so we can have a dinner or something.”
I smile, my heart feeling pretty damn full right in this moment. This is the first time I’ve ever really felt what it was like to have someone I would honestly call a brother.
“Thanks, Max. Tell everyone I say hi.”
Maxim gathers his things and the empty burger bag and leaves the hospital room. I am still grinning as I sit here staring at the white ceiling and thinking about what it’s like to have a family. It’s all new to me, and the more I open up to the idea and stop getting in my own way, the more amazing it actually is.
I close my eyes for a moment, feeling the fatigue hitting my body as it fights to heal itself. Shit, it’s been a crazy week. Doctors in and out of my room, the surgery itself being exhausting, pain meds that make me feel ill, and the physiotherapist who seems hell-bent on torturing me to death.
“Hey gorgeous, are you resting?” Her beautiful voice immediately paints a smile on my face.
“I was just waiting for you.” I stare at her glowing skin and gorgeous rosy cheeks. Her lips look soft and inviting. The way her jeans curve over her perfect ass has me practically drooling.
Darya walks over to the bedside and leans across to press her mouth against mine. I moan softly against her—it’s been so difficult not to be able to actually be with her while I am stuck here in hospital.
“Did you speak to the doctor? Is he letting me go home today?” I ask with hope. My eyes wide and my brows raised.
“He said that as long as I promise to take good care of you, he is ready to check you out right now.”
“And?"
“And what?” she looks confused.
I wrap my hand around her waist and encourage her to climb onto the bed next to me. She laughs. “The doctor told us we weren’t allowed to do this.”
“Never mind that. I want to know if you promised him you would take good care of me so that I can go home today?”
“Mm.” She grins. “I thought about it—I mean, I could take care of you, but I don’t know. It sounds like a lot of work.” Her grin grows wider.
“Excuse me?” I throw her the side eye with a mischievous smile. “You better get your ass over to the doctor right now and promise him. Because I need to get home, to my own bed, where I can do whatever I want to you.”
“I have a feeling you are going to be lying there doing almost nothing—while I do whatever I want to you.” The glint in her eyes is pure magic.
“Wow.” I clear my throat loudly, trying to push away the insanely hot images that are running through my mind right now. “Let’s go.” I throw the hospital blankets off my legs and start getting up. She starts laughing and forces me to stay in bed.
“No, you have to wait.” She holds me back. “The doctor is on his way to do a final check. Then we can go.”
I reach out and grab her jaw, pulling her face towards mine and pressing my lips into hers. “I can’t wait to be alone with you. All I have been thinking about is you, baby girl.”
“All I’ve been thinking about it you, too.” She smiles sweetly.
“You know you mean the entire world to me, right? Everything. You are my everything.”
I watch as her cheeks flush again.
“Darya, I’m serious. I am so madly in love with you. I can’t believe how lucky I got—that you are mine, you are my wife. I couldn’t even have dreamed of a more perfect girl. You are everything and more.”
“Stef—"
“Wait, I’m not done. Not only are you the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life, but your heart and soul are pure gold. The way you smile lights up my heart. The sound of your voice is like music to me. You literally glow with everything that makes me happy. I will spend every single day proving to you that I am worthy of your love. That I am the man for you.”
She gently wraps her hand over my mouth to stop me from talking.
“You have nothing to prove. I am head over heels in love with you, too. Everything I ever wanted in my person— the one —everything and more, I have it in you. I didn’t even think it was possible to be this happy, but I am. I am so happy with you. You make me smile, you make me laugh, you make me feel beautiful. And oh my word—just one glance at you and you light fires in me that I didn’t know were possible or legal.”
I crack up laughing.
“Legal?”
“It should be illegal to be this attracted to someone.” She is laughing as well.
“Am I in trouble when I get home?” I grin.
“I might hurt you. I mean—it’s been a while, you know. A girl has needs.”
We are both laughing again when I gently pull her into my arms.
“I really love you, Darya. To the end of the universe and back again.”
“I really love you, Stef. Through all the stars and galaxies out there.”
“I thought I told you guys you weren’t allowed to be cuddling on the bed like this,” the doctor's loud voice booms into the room. He is smiling as he walks towards us.
“Sorry, doc.” We both grin like kids who were caught in the act and Darya slides off the bed.
“Well, I guess I can assume you are feeling a lot better and I can send you home, then?”
“I would love to go home.” I nod enthusiastically.
“Your beautiful wife has assured me that she will make sure you remain on bedrest for another week. The physiotherapist will make regular visits to your home. And then next week I want you to start slowly getting back to normal life. But be realistic about it, okay? It’s going to be at least a month before you will be feeling strong again.”
“I don’t mind being stuck at home for a while. I have someone there with me.” I take Darya’s hand in mine.
“Alright, then, let’s get you signed out. I’m going to do a quick check and have the nurse put on some fresh bandages—Darya, she already showed you how to clean the wound, right?”
“She did, yes.” Darya nods.
“Good stuff. Let’s get you out of here, then.”