Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
NATHANIEL
T here was no stopping my mind from replaying what the nurse had said. I’d held my breath, praying for the best but expecting the worst as she walked up to me.
“Your wife is handling the surgery well so far. She is giving one hell of a fight. It was brought to our attention that your wife is pregnant, and we wanted you to know that the bullet missed the uterus. After the surgery, we will be running tests to check on the baby and make sure everything is okay.” She looked at the watch on her wrist. “She will be at least five more hours and then will go to the ICU for recovery. We will come get you then.”
Goran had explained as the nurse walked away, leaving me dumbfounded, that my mom had dropped the bombshell on Savannah in the car on the way to the wedding boutique. Picking up Savannah’s hand—that didn’t have a gauntlet of tubes or wires running around it—I brought her fingers to my lips. The nurses had confirmed that she was two months along, which meant that she’d gotten pregnant that first week we were back together. We could be laughing about having good swimmers or us having the right chemistry if she would just open her eyes.
I would do anything to have her blink and stare at me with those stunning baby blues that had thoroughly captured my heart. With every beep of the monitor showing how hers was beating strong, I could feel mine in my chest.
“Come on, Kisa. You need to open those eyes for me.” I’d been whispering the same thing to her every ten minutes since they’d brought her into this room. I couldn’t seem to stop the panic from churning my stomach even though they’d said she and the baby were going to be okay. I wouldn’t be alright until she was home with me and in my arms. I was never letting her out of my sight again.
The door opened, and I glanced up to see Goran. “Can I come in?” Nodding, I set her hand down on the bed but refused to leave her side. “I brought you a coffee and a snack.” He held out his hand with the gift.
“Thanks, man.”
“How is she doing?”
“The same. I just want Savannah to open her eyes, even if it’s only for a minute, and then she can rest. Fuck, I’ve never felt fear like this, it’s…it’s….”
“Debilitating?”
“Yes, exactly. Like my arm has been suddenly cut off, and I don’t know what to do.”
Goran pulled over a chair and sat down beside me. “You really should get some rest. Go see Cutter. I had Ivan bring him to the penthouse, which is only ten minutes away.”
I slumped back in my chair and sipped my coffee. “No. I want to see him, but I can’t leave her.”
“I had a feeling you were going to say that. I left a bag with a change of clothes and stuff out in the hall.”
I grabbed Goran’s arm, and he froze with his coffee to his lips as he stared at me.
“Thank you. You’ve always been a great friend, and I don’t say that enough.”
“Fuck off,” he said, but smiled. “You’re just trying to make me cry, and it’s not going to happen, asshole.” I chuckled, and a little bit of the weight sitting on my chest eased. “Seriously though, I’m sorry we didn’t see the shooter coming. I failed to keep her safe, and I’m…I’ll never forgive myself for that,” he said, and I gave him a dirty look.
“You better be fucking joking. We lost two guys in that shootout, and it’s all over the news.” That was another issue to deal with later. Maybe I’d let Ronan handle it, he was better at the political crap than I was, and the fucker owed me. “The point is, I don’t blame you for this. You didn’t set it in motion, and I know that you would’ve taken the bullet for her. Besides, if it weren’t for your quick thinking, she wouldn’t be alive right now.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Goran said, his face coated in shadows and dark lines as he stared straight ahead. There was no point in arguing with him. He always took on far too much blame for everything.
“How did the pick-up go?”
The corner of his mouth turned up. “Titus took the lead on that, and last I heard, Aldo was extremely shocked to find out that his nephew had sold him out, and his ride to the airport was delayed.”
I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him. My father might have been the one to put this in motion, but what kind of a piece of shit actively shoots not just at one kid but near a whole school? He deserved every ounce of pain that I was going to rain down on him the moment Savannah was out of this hospital. Until then, I’d let my soldiers play with him. They were all too willing to get their hands dirty with Aldo and the shooter.
The question was, could I ever really trust Romeo again? Only time would tell, but in the meantime, I’d be taking a closer look at everything Mancini, just in case.
We lapsed into silence, and all I could do was stare at her face. It never occurred to me to wonder what it would be like to be in love. What it would feel like to have your life wrapped up in another person so tightly that you couldn’t picture taking your next breath without them. Not once had it ever crossed my mind the pain that people felt when they lost their significant other. It wasn’t like I had a good example or even thought about getting married for love. Now…Savannah had blown into my life like a storm and swept me away, and I’d never been able to get back to shore. At least not without her by my side. In a blink, I realized that she could save me, but without her, I would drown.
Goran laid his hand on my shoulder, startling me. “You gonna be okay if I head back to the mansion and settle up a few things before we move?”
“Go for it. I want everything of mine removed. Files, furniture, clothing, you name it. Shoot my father or any of his guards that get in the way. I’m never stepping foot on the property again, and he better prepare himself because I’m coming for him.”
“Are you ready for that?”
I shrugged. “Ready or not, it must be done. Besides, I already stole Aaron and Titus to work for me. My father has never respected Kaylani the way he should. She has fabulous marketing ideas. I’m sure I can sway her too. Then it will just be Ronan left. He was always the golden boy. Even with what he heard on the recording, he’ll have a tough time letting go.”
Goran stood and stretched. “Keep me posted if there is any change.” Walking to the door, he reached out, and one of the other guards handed him my small travel bag. “I’ll leave this here.” Setting it down, he paused before leaving. “She’s going to be okay.” Goran closed the door behind him, and I sighed. I really hoped he was right.
Polishing off the coffee, I tossed it into the garbage and picked up Savannah’s hand again.
“You know you’ve ruined me forever, don’t you? I was a ruthless killer, a man without a conscience, and someone who stomped on hearts as fast as they were handed to me. But then we happened. Did you ever think that one night of drunken sex would lead us to this moment? I didn’t.”
I ran my thumb against her skin, willing her to open her eyes. “When I was growing up, I spent every day trying to win my father’s approval. Maybe that was why I became more ruthless than anyone else in the family. Earning his love. For all the good it did me. He almost killed our son. He was going to kill you. You were right to run from me to keep Cutter hidden. He deserves so much more than what this dark world has in store for him. I promise you that I’ll do everything in my power to shield him from all of it for as long as I can. If I were a less selfish man, I’d set you both free. Hide you across the world so the two of you remain safe.”
“But then Cutter wouldn’t have you.” I jumped up at the raspy, whispered words.
“Oh my god, you’re awake.” Smoothing her hair back, I kissed her forehead and let the relief wash over me like a warm bath. “Here, have some water.” I grabbed the water cup and held the straw to Savannah’s lips. She took a few sips and then nodded that she was good.
“Where’s my ring,” Savannah asked.
“That’s what you want to ask? Of all the things to know about, you choose the ring?”
“You said not to take it off. Ever.” The corner of her mouth turned up.
“I fucking love you. You know that, right?”
“I do. Tell me what happened. Other than the gunshot, I remember that much.”
Sitting down on the bed, I held her hand in my lap. “Do you want all the details?” She nodded. “Alright. The shooter was across the road in an alley, and he used an AR15. Luckily, he was at a distance, and it had the window to go through, or it would’ve done a lot more damage. The bullet went through and through. They had to take one of your kidneys, and you lost a lot of blood….”
She sucked in a deep gasp and grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with sudden terror. “Was I, am I? Please don’t tell me….” Savannah’s eyes filled with tears.
“You didn’t lose the baby. You’re both fine.” She slumped on the bed and closed her eyes.
“Thank God. How much rehab time?”
“Doc says three to six weeks, so it’s a good thing you’re still early in the pregnancy. I can’t believe we didn’t know. I can’t believe my mom knew and said something.”
“Right? Nothing like being outed in a car full of people. But honestly, I’m happy. Are you happy?”
“Right now, I’m very fucking happy about a lot of things. The fact that you’re still alive is at the top of the list. Fuck you scared me, but yes, I’m happy about the new addition.”
“What, no comeback about what great swimmers you have or that you knocked me up in one shot…again?”
I smiled wide. “I was thinking it.”
“I bet you were. Are you still going to be smiling if we have a girl?”
I shuddered as Savannah laughed and then winced. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
Cupping her cheek, I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you, Savannah.”
“I love you,” she said, tears leaking from her eyes. “Where is Cutter? Does he know what happened?”
I shook my head. “No, Ivan brought him to my penthouse not far from here. When they had him call me, I just told him you were injured and had to go to the hospital, but you were going to be okay.” Savannah’s eyes fluttered closed. “I should let you rest.”
She held my hand tighter. “Please don’t go.”
“Don’t worry, my beautiful wife, I’m not going anywhere. I was just going to get changed and let you sleep.” She shook her head and refused to let go of my hand. “Okay, I won’t go.” I’d paid for the largest room they had and the fanciest bed the hospital owned, so it was wider than most. Getting up on the bed, I stretched out beside her and kissed the top of her head. Savannah leaned into my chest, and a moment later, I felt her body trembling as she cried.
I didn’t want to hurt her, but I held her as tightly as I could, letting her vent what she was feeling.
“I’m so sorry. I never thought my father would go to such lengths to harm his own family,” I said. She lifted her head and looked at me. Her eyes broke my heart all over again with the raw emotions that were laid bare at my feet.
“What are you talking about?”
“I shouldn’t have said anything right now.” Even wounded, she was scary as she glared at me. She was the perfect wife, my partner in every way. “My father made a deal with another family for more business opportunities in exchange for outing you and Cutter.”
“The Mancinis? He made a deal with them?” I nodded, and the anger that burned in her eyes wiped away the sadness in a blink. “Cutter and I would have been killed if it wasn’t for you. He was willing to lose his grandson for a deal?”
“Yeah, he said that he would’ve preferred that he didn’t, but if so, it would be justified. I have no idea how that man is my father. I thought I was a prick, but he is a level all on his own.”
“Are you going to kill him?”
Sighing, I shook my head. “No, not yet. First, I’m going to tear down everything he’s built. It’s what means the most to him, even over his own life. I need to take a trip to Russia and make my own deals to circumvent my father. Right now, he still has the family backing, money, and power. That means if I kill him, they’ll retaliate.”
“So, you’re going to cut off his legs and then crush him.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. That man has always underestimated what I can do, but he’s about to learn that I’ve been holding back. No one goes after you and Cutter, and walks away. I will kill him, Savannah, that I promise you, but I need to be smart about it.”
“Good. What he set into motion got my partner and friend killed. I found out when I resigned. Marko’s family was outed because of this deal. I know that we have lived on different sides of the line, but…Marko was like family to me and Cutter. He sacrificed years of his life, away from his three children, to try and stop Aldo’s sex trafficking ring. It’s not right. Matthews couldn’t even tell me if it was just him or if they killed his whole family.”
“I’m sorry, Savannah, I didn’t know anyone else was at risk. I only just found out that my father knew all along that you were pregnant and purposely kept the information quiet. If I had known, I would’ve come for the two of you sooner. For all the good it did me, you’re still here in this hospital bed.” Her skin was cool against my knuckles as I ran them over her cheek. I wanted to wrap her up tight in my arms and never let go.
“What happened was not your fault. Unless I had a wall of soldiers, body armor, and never left the house, this was inevitable. But I can’t live in that house with him, Nathan. I just can’t. I will kill him myself if I have to look at his face.”
“I’m already moving everything out. You never have to see him again.”
“I was so scared that I was never going to see you and Cutter again,” she said and buried her head into my chest as a fresh wave of tears gripped her.
“Shh, you’re going to be okay. Cutter is fine, and I’m right here. I’ve got you, Kisa, now and always. Try to get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.” It didn’t take long before her breathing slowed, and my heart finally relaxed as I took the first deep breath I had since Shawn showed up at the door. Closing my eyes, I held Savannah and thanked God for this miracle.
“Without you, my soul would be lost forever in an ocean of despair,” I whispered in her ear and then closed my eyes, soaking in the feel of her.