Keeping My Bride by Angela Snyder
Chapter 63
Verona
HOURS PASS UNTIL the doctor finally announces to the room that he’s finished. I slowly stand on wobbly legs and go to the older man. “Will my husband be okay?” I ask him, my voice trembling.
The doctor turns to me and says, “There are always risks of complications and infections, especially when you’re dealing with gunshot wounds.” He carefully takes off his mask and gloves and throws them in the nearby trash. “But I did the best I could, and I’m confident that he’ll make a full recovery.”
I sigh with relief. It feels like I’ve been holding my breath for such a long time.
“He’ll need time to rest and recuperate,” he explains.
“Yes, of course.”
Benito comes up behind me and asks the doctor, “When can we move him?”
“He should stay here for a day or two at least. I’d like to monitor his progress anyway, check for signs of infection and keep him on some IV fluids and antibiotics.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
“You’re welcome,” the older man says before ascending the stairs to his home, no doubt going to bed after the long, arduous night he just had.
“How much will you pay him?” I ask Benito.
“A lot, but he’s always on retainer. We pay him enough that he won’t mind doing this again when we need him to.”
The fact that they have to keep a doctor on retainer because situations like this can arise at any moment makes me feel queasy again. I don’t want to ever go through this again with Luca, but I know it’s just part of being in the mafia. It’s a dangerous and sometimes cruel world. But I hope that the love Luca and I have for each other will trump all the bad things that come our way.
I walk over to Luca’s bedside. He looks so peaceful lying there. Some of the color has returned to his face at least. I hope he’s not in pain, and I hope he’s dreaming of something good.
“I love you, Luca Vitale,” I whisper to him before placing a kiss on his cheek.
Benito brings me a chair, and I sit down and hold Luca’s hand, afraid of letting go. My eyelids grow heavy, but I refuse to sleep until exhaustion finally sets in and I don’t have a choice. My dreams are filled with visions of Luca and I…and our baby. And they bring me peace.
