23. Fallon
Fallon
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
What the hell is that?
I try to open my eyes, but that feels like too much work, especially with how badly my head hurts.
Hurts is an understatement.
It feels like someone cracked my skull open with a baseball bat.
That would be just my karma, wouldn’t it?
I groan, and something immediately tightens around my hand.
“Baby?”
The sound of his voice makes me force my eyes open, which is a huge mistake as the light sends a bolt of pain straight through me.
I squeeze them shut again, wincing. “Too bright.”
“Turn the fucking lights off.”
I would laugh at how quickly he barks the command, but I’m pretty sure laughing might actually kill me.
Within seconds, the room darkens, so I try again. This time, I manage to open my eyes without wanting to vomit, though I’m not sure how long it’s going to last.
Luciano is sitting beside me, his hair a complete mess like he’s been running his fingers through it over and over. There’s dark stubble covering his jaw, and based on the shadows beneath his eyes, he’s been awake for a long time.
I blink slowly, hoping the nausea subsides. “You look terrible.”
He stares at me. Then a rough laugh leaves him as he lowers his forehead to my hand. “Jesus Christ.”
“What?”
He lifts his head. There’s so much emotion in his icy blue eyes that my chest squeezes. “You wake up after scaring ten fucking years off my life, and the first thing you do is insult me?”
My lips feel like they’re cracking as I smile. “You’re still handsome. I’d still hit it.”
That makes him laugh again, and it’s a sound I would like to hear more of.
I try to move, but pain shoots through me, and I let out a whimper.
Luciano jumps to his feet, hovering over me. “Don’t move, baby.”
“Bossy,” I murmur.
“Fallon,” he says, though there’s no heat behind it.
My eyes slide closed. I’m exhausted. Why am I so tired?
“Daddy,” I answer back.
He sighs and stares down at me, worried. “What happened, baby? Who hurt you?”
Happened?
I try to search my mind to make sense of it all, but the pain is so overpowering, it’s hard to think of anything else.
But then I remember the alley.
Taking out the garbage.
Joshua.
He attacked me.
“He was waiting for me behind the salon.”
Luciano stills. “Who?”
“I fought him off, though. I kicked and bit him, and I think I broke his nose.”
“Baby, who?”
“He tackled me to the ground and slammed my head against it.”
“Fallon.” His tone is firmer this time.
I hesitate. Not because I want to protect Joshua. Fuck that motherfucker. But because I know Luciano. I know exactly what’s going to happen once I give up Joshua’s name.
“Promise you won’t do anything crazy?” I ask.
“No.” He shakes his head.
“Daddy,” I say softly.
“No. I’m not making a promise I don’t intend to keep.”
“You can’t just go around killing people.” I open my eyes and look up at him.
He runs his tongue over his teeth and stares at me expectantly. “Tell me. Now.”
I take in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “It was Joshua.”
Luciano freezes. He doesn’t even blink. Then he takes a step away from the bed. “I’ll be back.”
Before he can get too far, I grab his hand. “Wait. Where are you going?”
When he doesn’t answer me, I give him an exasperated look.
“You can’t leave the hospital to go kill someone,” I hiss.
Luciano leans over me again, his palms resting on either side of my head as he stares at me. “He put his hands around your throat and left bruises. He slammed your head into the ground so hard you blacked out. You have been unconscious for over twenty-four hours.”
His voice is terrifyingly quiet. When I gaze into his eyes, I realize he looks haunted.
“I sat beside this bed wondering whether the woman I’m in love with was ever going to open her eyes again. So yeah, baby, I’m going to go do what I do when someone messes with what’s mine.”
I stare at him, blinking several times. “You love me?”
“Yeah, Fallon. I do. And I know you’re going to tell me I’m insane, but no one has ever made me feel as alive as you do. You’re my girl. Mine.”
Gooooosh.
Why did he have to proclaim his love for me when I feel like absolute shit? And if I start crying, my head might explode. With the way I feel right now, it might anyway, even if I don’t cry.
“Angelo is right outside. I’ll be back in a bit.” Before I can argue, he presses a gentle kiss to my forehead and then walks out of the room.
What the hell just happened?