Chapter 27 | Alexis
Alexis
My eyelids fluttered and I tried to swallow, but my throat felt like someone had jammed a pencil through it.
Forcing my lids open, I squinted at the brightness that filtered through the window.
I blinked a few times and realized Mom was sitting beside my bed, her chin resting on her fist as she dozed.
“Mom?” I croaked.
Her eyes flew open and she leaned forward. “Hey, baby. I’m here. You’re awake.” She stroked my cheek as I mentally scanned my body. It didn’t hurt, necessarily, but I felt numb. Searching my brain, I remembered finding the camera, and then the tracker...
“There was a tracker on Nick’s car,” I murmured. “It must’ve had a tamper trigger on it...”
“Yes,” she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I don’t know why you went digging for devices under Nick’s car. That was very dangerous, sweetheart.”
“I had a hunch, and I was following it.” I blinked slowly, feeling like the world was moving in slow motion. “Chris was there...” I scowled. “Shit. Is he okay?”
“He’s fine, although I think he’s done with us. We’ve put him in the hospital twice in less than a few months.”
“Eh, he’ll get over it.”
She laughed and kissed my forehead. “Adrian says you’re going to be fine. You were wounded on your back, so you’ll need to stay on your side for a while. You’ll have some scarring, but otherwise, you’re going to be okay.”
“Adrian is awesome. He’s another silver fox hottie. We need to find him a girlfriend.”
“Okay, matchmaker. Let’s get you healed first, and then we can focus on everyone’s love life.”
My eyes darted between hers. “Where’s Nick?”
Mom arched a knowing eyebrow. “He’s been plastered to your side. I didn’t realize how close you two really are.”
Sighing, I closed my eyes. “Crap. I can tell you know. You have mom-dar.”
“What’s that?”
“Mom-radar,” I said, opening one eye. “And don’t pretend you don’t know we’re together. I can read you better than anyone.”
Her lips curved as she stroked my cheek. “I could tell when I saw him sitting by your bed yesterday. He’s deeply in love with you, Alexis.”
“Mmm...” I struggled to stay awake as I felt exhaustion setting in. “He’s going to blame himself for this, which is so fucking stupid.”
“Yes. I believe he already is. When I approached Michael to tell him that I suspected his feelings for you, he said that Nick confessed on the way to the hospital yesterday. And he’s certainly racked with guilt.”
“Why are men so dumb?” I asked, licking the dry roof of my mouth. “It’s obviously not his fault.”
“Because they want the best for us, and they’re cavemen who think pushing everything away will make it better.” She studied me as her smile deepened. “Do you love him too?”
“Desperately,” I said, trying to smile. “So much, Mom. He’s it for me. He’s my person.”
“Oh, baby...” A tear streamed down her cheek as her face lit with happiness. “You’re finally in love.”
“And he’s going to push me away,” I said, already knowing the battle ahead. “He’s going to tell me to go live in the city and leave the mafia behind.”
“Isn’t that what you want?”
I swallowed, grimacing at the pain in my throat. “I did, for so long. But not anymore. I just want to be with Nick. If that means staying in the mafia, fine. If he wants to live in an igloo in Alaska, fine. I don’t care. I just want to be with him.”
“I think an igloo in Alaska might be safer,” Mom teased.
“Probably. But we both know this world. I understand his fear, but it’s irrelevant when you love each other as much as we do. We have to figure it out, and I’ll make sure we do.”
“And what will that look like?” she asked softly.
I inhaled a deep breath. “Well, we’re going to get married, and have some babies, and he’s going to try and not get himself killed as Michael continues to groom him to take over his illicit organization. You know, all the normal stuff.”
Chuckling, Mom nodded. “Seems like you’ve got it all figured out. And I love the idea of grandbabies.”
“Yeah. Just have to get him on board...” I yawned and snuggled into the bed. “I want to tell you everything, but I’m so freaking tired...”
“Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’ll be here. I love you.”
Closing my eyes, I gave up the fight against sleep, comforted by her presence beside me.
The next time I opened my eyes, I looked straight into the most gorgeous pair of brown eyes I’d ever known.
“Nick,” I whispered.
“Hey, princess.” His thumb moved softly against my cheek. “How are you feeling?”
I smacked my lips together a few times, hating the dry taste in my mouth. “Thirsty.”
He reached over to the tray beside my bed and grabbed a plastic cup filled with ice chips. He slipped a few of them between my parched lips. “There you go.”
I sucked them, reveling in the cold fluid against my tongue. “Damn, that’s good.”
He set the cup back on the tray and faced me again as he resumed caressing my cheek.
We gazed at each other for a while, and I allowed myself to just appreciate how handsome he was. I imagined a little boy with his features, and maybe my dark green eyes, and my heart exploded with pure joy at the image.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“Something way too serious for us to discuss here,” I said, grinning.
His thumb skated across my lip as he stared at me with unrestrained reverence. “Your mom and Michael know about us.”
“You think?” I teased, pushing into his soft caress. “We knew we couldn’t hide it for long.”
“I shouldn’t have hid it at all. I betrayed Michael’s trust, and I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
Sighing, I nuzzled his hand. “Is there anything bad that you don’t blame yourself for?” Lifting a weak hand, I squeezed his wrist. “You’re human, Nick. Sometimes, things just happen.”
“I had control over whether to tell him or not—”
“Control is a big thing for you,” I interjected.
“I get it. You lost your parents when you were young, and that must’ve been terrifying.
Control is a way for you to make sure you don’t experience that pain ever again.
” I tightened my fingers on his wrist. “But no matter how hard you try, you’re never going to prevent everything bad that could happen. ”
“I can be smarter though,” he said, his expression serious. “I can make sure people I care about aren’t in dangerous situations.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I smiled. “You’re so fucking hardheaded. I’m extremely annoyed that you’re going to make me fight you on this again.”
His lips twitched. “I haven’t even said anything for you to fight me on yet.”
“Oh, it’s coming, buddy. I know you too well. Get ready, because you’re toast. I’m not letting you push me away.”
His eyes roved over mine, filled with a latent fear I’d never seen. I could tell he was extremely worried for me, and it almost broke my heart.
“I’m not going to leave you like your parents did,” I whispered. “They didn’t have a choice, and I’m so sorry that you had to experience that. But this time is different. You don’t have to be scared to love me, Nick. I promise.”
He inhaled a shaky breath. “You can’t promise unknowns.”
My smile deepened. “I can promise anything I want, and fuck anyone who says I can’t.”
His deep chuckle surrounded me. “You’re too goddamned stubborn. It’s going to get you killed.”
“Maybe, but let’s kick life in the ass before that happens. Let’s do it together. I want to do everything with you. Don’t you know that by now?”
His warm breath washed over my face as he shook his head. “You deserve better than this world filled with car bombs and kidnapping. It’s beneath you, Alexis.”
“Can you do me a favor?”
He nodded.
“Can you just shut up and let me save my energy for when we have this conversation later? I need to prepare, and you’re pissing me off.”
He laughed. “Okay. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
“Thank you. And when I get home, if you ignore me again and push me away, I swear to God, I’m going to kick your ass.”
Deep laughter rolled in his chest. “Is that so?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Message received.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get you home, and then we’ll talk.”
“Okay.” My eyelids grew heavy as he continued to stroke my cheek and hair. Eventually, I felt myself falling under. “Don’t leave.”
“I’m right here, princess,” he said as my eyes shut on their own accord. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His soft caresses carried me under as I anticipated going home.