Chapter Twenty-Nine Alex
B EEPING . S USSUROUS WHOOSHES from something ticking behind me. Or was it beside me? My brain had fogged over and my body felt like I had run ten consecutive marathons without a break. I could barely open my eyes but I tried to anyway.
Blurry blinking. An astigmatic screen clouded my vision. I grunted, annoyed. Blinked again.
Someone squeezed my hand. Reflexively, I squeezed back.
Finally, my vision sharpened as I lolled my head to the side. A hazy vision of tanned skin and dark hair clarified into the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I attempted to say his name.
“Alex,” Rome said. He leaned over the bed and pressed a delicate kiss on my forehead. My eyes closed. Felt like he emptied his soul into that kiss, like he could feed me energy of his own.
When he pulled back, I lifted my arm and gestured toward his head. “What’s this?” I managed to ask.
Rome chuckled and felt at the stitches cutting through his left eyebrow. “Battle scars, baby,” he said through a half-grin.
My brow quivered. “Battle?”
Rome hovered back over me. Another kiss on my forehead. He pulled back and kissed my hand.
“Rome?” I said when he didn’t answer me. I took closer stock of the man I stared at. There was more damage on his face beyond the stitches. Half his face was covered in bruises. Specks of dried blood mottled his five o’clock shadow. Someone had beaten him up. How? Who?
Cold fear shot through me. Somewhere nearby, a monitor captured the moment, beeping increasing.
My eyes shut as flashes of memories played in my mind’s eye. Phantom pains accompanied each tableau. I could feel my ribs cracking again. Skin on my face splitting. The strike to my solar plexus seizing my entire body with soul-shaking pain.
That beeping increased. My eyes opened to see Rome standing back as a nurse checked the equipment around me.
My breathing increased but every intake caused me to wince, which in turn made my heart rate kick up even more.
Fear compounded. I tried to swallow but even that was painful. I reached for Rome.
The nurse called for something. Ativan? A second nurse appeared and pushed something into my IV.
The toll of a sudden bell. Whatever anxiety seized me abated. The sharp pain with every breath remained, but at least I didn’t feel like sinking into a black hole. One of the nurses moved Rome out of the way. He hesitated and I could have kissed him for that.
The next twenty minutes was a whirlwind of questions and adjustments. Rome remained dutifully nearby while the nurses did what they needed to. A doctor came in asking perfunctory questions that the nurses already found out.
And then we were off. Techs wheeled my bed into the hallway while Rome followed.
Better mental faculties came with each turn of the bed and by the time we reached our destination, I was fully awake and taking note of everything.
They raised the bed for me so I could sit up.
A new IV bag was spiked, more pillows brought in, and my eyes dilated to the beauty of morning sun streaming through the window.
A sleepy Cambridge came to life before me.
The second bed in the room remained empty. In no time at all, only me and Rome were in the room. He pulled up a guest chair next to me and took my hand in both of his. Another meaningful press of his lips to my skin, as if he could rejuvenate and heal me with a simple kiss.
“I’m already awake, Prince Phillip,” I said. “Now, will you please tell me what happened? Last thing I remember was hitting the pavement…”
Rome’s story started with a confession and I could see from his hunched shoulders and tightened grip of my hand that he needed to unburden himself.
He put the weight of the world into revealing that he “spied,” as he said, on me.
I would have laughed if it didn’t hurt so much.
I had one thing to hide from him and that was only to hold on to the surprise for as long as possible. Everything else was an open book.
I told him that I didn’t care, that I was glad he trusted his gut enough to check. He curated a good instinct throughout his life and he should trust it when it counted the most. And it did last night.
I could tell my words didn’t fully assuage the guilt. Perhaps in time he would come to see, but for now, I urged him to move forward.
My pulse remained even-keeled during Rome’s retelling of the events.
(Thank you, Ativan.) My knight had saved me.
Both him and Devin seemed certain Ricky would have killed me.
A bad, bad beating, yes. Death? No. I think he wanted to take me to the edge, though.
Ultimately, however, that was for the courts to decide.
“The cops will probably be here soon to get some statements from you,” Rome said. He hadn’t budged from his spot, hands still encapsulating mine. Even with cuts and bruises, he cut a handsome figure. More rugged now. I liked it.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” I admitted. My throat felt raw and I hadn’t spoken more than a dozen words since waking up. “Maybe later?”
He kissed my hand for what had to be the thousandth time. “Yep. Our lawyer will be here later to help us walk through a few things.”
My forehead crinkled. “Our?”
He swallowed and looked away. Ah, the Romolo Moretti tick, the internal fight between the id and superego. Before he could speak, I pieced it together.
“You’re so chivalrous,” I said and blinked as my eyes misted over. “You’re gonna let me use your lawyer. And pay for it. Aren’t you?” He started to speak. Mr. Perfect with that baritone he lightened to sound more compassionate. I spoke over him. “It’s fine, Rome. Really. And thank you.”
Silence befell us as we stared into each other’s eyes.
I had a sudden thankfulness for him followed by a pang of guilt for doing something so careless and stupid.
Of course, hindsight gave me perfect clarity on my mistake and why it was a mistake.
I didn’t have the heart to face Devin. He wouldn’t need to tell me how dumb I was for my actions.
All he would have to do is give me one look, the same one our father used to give me. You know better .
A phone chime cut through the quietude. Rome excused himself and fished his phone out of his pocket, then smiled. He flipped it around so I could read.
The Moretti Family group chat. An outpouring of love and support from people I’d only met once. A dozen texts extolling their well wishes and care. A fresh wave of emotion overtook me as Rome scrolled so I could read everything.
I never had a family group chat. I had no cousins to speak of.
Both of my parents were single children.
I only had one grandparent growing up and she passed before I was declared cancer free.
For years, years upon years, Devin and I were all that remained of the Edwards clan.
Just two dudes, trying to make it through.
He was saved as “Big Bro” in my phone. The only family left.
Until now. Until Rome.
My chin quivered. A lump grew in my throat, swelling with every heartbeat.
I squeezed my eyes shut and rolled my head away, as if I could keep this reaction from Rome.
He put his phone down and grabbed my thigh with one hand and my upper arm with the other. “Hey. You okay? Are you in pain? Should I get the nurse?”
I put my free hand on my face, covering my eyes. A trickle of tears framed my face as my lips pulled down into a frown. “I feel so lucky,” I said. “What did I do to deserve you?”
Rome made a sound at the back of his throat. “What? What are you talking about?”
“You. Your family. You’re all so… amazing . How did I manage to find myself here? With you?”
He half-stood, half-sat. It felt like he wanted to pull me in and cradle me. “ I’m the lucky one, Alex. Are you kidding me? You’re beyond perfect for me. I’m the one who asks myself that question every day.”
I couldn’t stop the tears. Of course he had the perfect response. “I love you, Rome,” was all I could say. “I love your family.”
The dam burst. With the suddenness of a thunderclap, I realized how stupid I had been to meet Ricky.
How close I had come to death. How fortunate I was that Rome had read that email.
How lucky I was that he kept a bunch of baseball bats in his trunk.
I covered my face with both hands as a cold shower of shame hit me.
I crumbled forward as my shoulders shook. I moaned through my fingers.
And then Rome was on the bed with me, his lumbering frame taking up as little space as possible as he pulled me into him.
Was he wearing scrubs, I suddenly realized?
My sodden face pressed against him as he cradled my head in his hands.
He whispered something to me—speaking in Italian, I think.
Kissing my hair. Kissing my bandages. He must have said ti amo a hundred times in the span of thirty seconds.
I told him how sorry I was to have put us both in this awful situation.
He continued to hold me and whispered encouraging words in vain attempts to sooth me.
I knew nothing would calm me down in that moment. I simply needed to get it all out.
Before I knew it, another set of hands and arms fell around me. I didn’t have the wherewithal to see who and instead let my supply of tears dry up until it hurt my chest too much to sob. I finally came up for air as the pain hit a crescendo, which forced me to get ahold of my senses.
Devin. Big brother. His brow curled up, a sad smile on his face as he ran a hand through my hair like he used to do when we were kids. “Hey, bro,” he said in a light tone. “Glad to see you awake.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said and reached for him. Rome stepped back and let my brother hold me. I forced myself not to cry. The pain had been too much. Instead, I sank into the moment and let my big brother be just that.
“I’ll be back,” Rome said gently and I nodded. He left us alone.
Devin sat on the bed and gently let me lean back. “Gotta be careful about those ribs,” he said.
“Hurts like hell,” I admitted and laughed through my tears. Devin grabbed a handful of tissues on the stand next to us. I dabbed at my face and nose. “Feel like a blubbering idiot.”
“You look like a blubbering idiot,” Devin said and I attempted to smack him. He undoubtedly saw it coming but let the hit land on his shoulder. “So I’ve finally learned what breaks Romolo Moretti’s serene patience.”
I gurgled out a laugh that hurt my chest. “Oh? And what’s that?”
“You. All it took was an ICU visit and he cracked under the pressure.”
I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Remind me to apologize to the hospital staff on his behalf.”
It was Devin’s turn to chuckle. “People who don’t grow up around hospitals don’t get it. Thought he could just make demands and they would give in.”
I shook my head. “That’s my Mr. Perfect.”
Devin laughed through his nose and looked out the window.
He collected himself to say something and I waited, recognizing the shift.
He said, “He’s good for you, Alex. Perfect, like you said.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone love someone else as much as he showed me last night.
” He blinked. Looked away from the window.
Our gaze connected. “He’d give up the World Series for you.
” I started to speak but Devin held up his hand.
“I know. You won’t let him. But he would.
For you, Alex. That’s how much he loves you.
” Another smile. He shook his head. “You guys are gonna get married. I can see it now. You’ll be the only fair-skinned person in that whole Sicilian clan. ”
I reached out and grabbed my brother’s forearm. “Thank you. For telling me that. I didn’t realize I needed to hear it.”
“He’d do anything for you, Alex. I mean it. Anything.” He took in a breath and leaned back. “I approve.”
I barked out laughter then grunted in pain. “Oh, so I need your approval now?”
“Damn right. I’m still the eldest Edwards around here.”
“Well, speaking of approval,” I said. I wanted to reach for my phone but I had no idea where it was. “When Rome comes back in, remind me to tell you about Elena Moretti.”
Devin made a face. “Elena?”
“Mmhmm. Gorgeous. Very Sicilian. She’s a physical therapist.”
Devin scoffed. “You tryin’ to hook me up with someone?”
I held up my hands defensively. “Just looking to make an introduction is all. These Morettis are pretty damn amazing. They could use a double dose of Edwards is all I’m saying.”
My brother shook his head and drew lazy shapes on the bed. “Elena, huh. That’s a pretty name.”
“For a pretty lady.” I double raised my eyebrows.
Another scoff, this one powerful enough to eject spittle from his mouth. “You are so freaking corny. Can we sedate you again? Rome ,” Devin called out as he started to leave, “your boyfriend got hit too hard in the head…”
I smiled as I watched my brother leave the room. My tall, masculine, knight-in-shining-scrubs lumbered inside while holding a phone to his ear. He pulled it away for a moment and looked at me. “Think you’re up for talking to a worried mother?”
Nope. Not gonna cry again. Not gonna do it. Hold it together you sissy.
“Nothing would make me happier.”
In the phone he said, “ Si, si, metto Alex adesso .” He handed me his phone and leaned down to kiss my forehead. “She’s very concerned about you.”
I held the phone to my palm to quiet the microphone as I looked up at the man who became my world. “I love you, Rome.”
A beautiful smile. For a moment, I couldn’t see the cuts and bruises on his face. “Love you, too.”
“ Ciao , Donna” I said into the phone. “It’s good to hear from you…”