Chapter 36
NICO
Whirring, sputtering, and the most wonderful smell filled my nose—coffee.
As I forced my eyes open, I quickly realized I had only opened one.
I stared up at the ceiling and understood I was in my bed.
Why was there an espresso machine in my room?
“Welcome back, Emilia.” He sounded tired and concerned.
He was on the side where my eye was swollen shut.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Unconscious, you mean?”
“If I were unconscious, why am I not at a hospital?”
“Because your husband paid me well to monitor you here,” another voice said, and I focused on the woman at the end of my bed.
She’d been my doctor since I joined the Venosa family.
“I’m pleased with your progress. I’ll leave you both for now and check back tomorrow.
Welcome back, Emilia. You had me worried for a while.
” She patted my foot and grabbed her bag.
“Oh, and no intimacy until I say you’re cleared. ” She smiled as she left the room.
The way I felt right now, intimacy was the last thing I wanted even to consider. I needed some answers. “How long?” I asked without turning my head.
“Five days.” He whispered.
“Can you move to my other side? I want to see you.” The bed gave way as he got off and walked around to my good side. That was laughable. Did I even have a good side anymore? “I want to know.”
“Your face is covered in bruises, and your right hand is broken. Why didn’t you tell me when I was holding your hand in the car?”
I shrugged, “The pain let me know I was alive. What else?”
“You’re going to have a scar on your side from the knife wound, but somehow through everything, the baby is fine.”
“I made sure I protected him; I never allowed them to get to my abdomen.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to when you called, then you didn’t call, and well, all hell broke loose.”
“Imagine my shock when Trixie blurted it out when I got home.” He pulled down the blankets that were covering me, and I realized I was naked.
A shiver ran through me, damn him for keeping his room colder than a freezer.
Gently, he placed his massive hand on my stomach, and the warmth from it chased away the cold.
“Nico, why am I naked?”
“Because you’re in my bed.” He slid his hand up my body and cupped my cheek.
“You know you’re not allowed to wear clothes in my bed.
And it was easier for the doctor to examine you we don’t have a plethora of hospitals gowns laying around.
” He leaned over and pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was gentle, the most gentle kiss he’d ever given me, and I hated it.
Nico wasn’t a gentle lover; it was something I had no idea I’d ever desired.
But this chased kiss wasn’t it. “Why are you frowning?”
“Who the hell are you kissing?”
“Well, I think you.”
“If you’re going to kiss me, Niccolò Venosa, you better fucking kiss me.”
“God, I’ve missed you.” He lowered his head and forcefully pressed his lips to mine, forcing his tongue into my mouth, taking what he wanted.
Five days had passed since I’d kissed this man, and even longer since he’d been away before I’d been taken.
A knock on the door caused him to pull away abruptly.
“Come in,” he said as he pulled the sheets up over my body.
“Doctor Kingston, said you were awake, so I figured you would both be hungry.” Camilla walked through the door with a large tray.
She set it down on the table before turning to look at me.
“Oh my darling, we’ll get you strong.” She rushed to the side of the bed and basically pushed Nico out of the way, placing her hands ever so gently on the sides of my face.
“Anything you want, you let me know. You gave us a scare.” The kind old woman shook her head, and tears filled her eyes.
“Camilla, I’m going to need foods higher in folic acid,” I said quickly, glancing over at Nico, who nodded his approval.
“Of course, it will help your healing.” She nodded, and then the realization of my statement hit her.
“Oh my child, you’re going to have a baby.
” Tears flowed freely now, and she hugged me as tight as she thought she dared.
Letting me go, she turned to Nico and embraced him as well.
“A father, something I’ve longed to see you as.
” She let him go and patted his face. Sighing, she left the room and quietly closed the door.
“I’m sorry, I should have asked you if it was okay to tell her.”
“She’ll want to make sure you’re getting everything you need; it’s right for her to know.”
“Help me to the table.” I shifted on the bed and attempted to sit up.
“Stay, I will bring the food to you.” He gently pressed me back to the bed.
“No, I want to get up. The doctor didn’t say I had to lay in bed.”
“Ok, roll on to your side.” I did as he said, and I could feel the stitches pull, and I groaned.
“Now I’m going to pull your legs off the bed.
” He did everything with so much care. He wrapped his strong arm around my shoulders and sat me up effortlessly.
The room spun, and I blinked until it stopped.
“Ready?” I nodded, and Nico helped me stand.
“I’m never going to take getting out of bed for granted again.” I smiled slightly and took a few shaky steps, leaning on my husband for support. Sitting at the table, I felt like I’d accomplished a great thing.
“We need to discuss a few things.” His words were heavy, and a heaviness fell over me.