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“Mind yourself, Don Leone. You’re in my home?—”
“Fuck you. She’s my sister, and I’m taking her home.”
“I never said you couldn’t take her home.” But God, while she’s here in my house, I’m going to pull out all the stops to encourage her to stay. My heart nearly stopped when I thought she might be dying. What would be the point of all this without her by my side?
“Look at her, Niko. She’s in no condition to travel. Or is this about your ego? Do you really care for her? If you do, let her heal, for God’s sake.”
His jaw tightens, and he pushes past me.
Roberta is propping Aria up.
“Get the doctor,” I tell her in Italian. She nods but first hands Aria a glass of water.
Aria’s eyes are glassy, and yet, I see fear in them.
“You’re safe,” I tell her. I want to lie next to her, hold her, but I don’t have a right. She was leaving me, and so, while it goes against my nature, I step back and let Niko comfort her.
“What happened?” Niko sits on the edge of the bed.
“I was taken at the airport.” She glances up at me, and I don’t know how to respond. I hate that she was leaving, so I can’t smile. “His name was Sabini?—”
“He’s dead. As are all of his men.” It’s a fucking mess, too. I’m spending a fortune on law enforcement to cover up the violent rampage. My men are whooshing to take over his business and deal with anyone who thinks they can stop me.
The doctor enters, and Niko rises to give him access to check Aria. When he first examined her, he told me she’d been sedated quite a bit and she was dehydrated, but after rest and IV rehydration, she’d recover physically.
“When can she travel?” Niko demands.
The doctor glances at me over his shoulder. He starts to speak Italian, but I stop him. “Don Leone speaks Italian, but Aria does not.” Mostly, I don’t want him thinking that by speaking Italian, Niko won’t understand him in case he says something I wouldn’t want Niko to hear. But also, Aria should know what is being said.
“She’s weak. She needs food, fluids, and rest. A week.”
I arch a brow.
“Actually, she could use two weeks. She’ll need to regain her strength.”
Roberta returns with a tray of food. She sets it on the table until the doctor is finished with Aria’s checkup.
“Will there be lasting effects from the drugs?” I ask.
“Shouldn’t be.” The doctor stands.
“Grazie.” I nod my appreciation to him. He nods back.
In Italian, I ask Roberta to prepare lunch for Niko.
“I’m not hungry,” he says.
“Aria needs her rest. I’m showing you great respect you don’t deserve by letting you stay in my home after you’ve disrespected me over and over?—”
“When it comes to Aria, I don’t give a shit?—”
“It’s only because of Aria that I’m putting up with it, but there are limits.”
His eyes flash with hatred. “Don’t you threaten me.”
“I’ll remind you that you’re in my country, in my home. You don’t have to like me, but you will respect me and follow my rules, as I did for you in your country.” Hell, I put Aria in my guest room instead of my room, although admittedly, that was less out of respect for Niko as it was respect for Aria since she planned to leave. “You’ll leave this room now. I want a moment with Aria.”
I glance at her because I have threatened Niko. It probably isn’t going to endear me to her. But I won’t put up with his disrespect. Not in my house. Not in front of my woman.
