Page 58 of The Savage

‘How long have I got?’

‘I can stall him for maybe fifteen minutes, maybe less. But…’ If he’s anything like you, that time frame is a joke. I hear the unspoken words loud and clear.

‘Bene.’ I grab one crutch, turn to my men posted by the door. ‘You heard him. Fifteen minutes. Get her out of here.’

Giada blinks. ‘You want me to leave? No – why?’

Her clear reluctance sends bolts of pleasure through me. See that, God? She likes me better than you. I want to pull her close, feel her softness against me. Breathe her in until my lungs die happy from the scent of her. But instead I drag a knuckle down her soft, warm cheek. ‘Because my brother – and the world – isn’t ready for you. You go to your room, lock the door, and stay there until I say otherwise. Understand?’

The two guards step forward. She looks between them, then at me, eyes wide with disbelief. ‘You can’t just⁠—’

‘I can,’ I interrupt. ‘And I will. Go, Giada. On your two legs. I’d rather you not see the consequences of other men touching you.’

Her eyes turn to adorable saucers. And fuck it, I can’t help it. I drop my head and brush a kiss at the corner of her mouth, dance in the warmth of her expelled breath.

Her breath quickens, first with stunned surprise, then deep carnal awareness, but she falls back on anger, letting it ignite through her composure as the soldiers move closer. ‘First you kidnap me, then you think you can hide me like some criminal? What are you afraid of?’

‘Not afraid, angel,’ I say quietly. ‘Protective.’

‘I don’t need protecting.’

‘You do – from my family, unless you want them to rip you apart?’ I say starkly enough for her to know I’m not fucking around.

That gives her pause.

Her lips part, something raw flashing across her face. For the first time, I see reluctance in her eyes. It’s not from fear for my eternally damned soul. It’s something else. The days of chiding and bolstering and watching have germinated a film of protection. It’s thin, and she might not even be aware of it herself, but it’s there.

Giada hates the thought of leaving me without her protection.

I almost roar with the heady sensation. Instead I throttle it long enough to say, ‘Please, ragazza.’ Softer this time. ‘Do this for me.’

She swallows, nods once, but the look she gives me as they lead her out hits like a punch. It’s reluctant. Conflicted. But – after pressing her rosary into my palm – she goes.

And God help me, it fills me with a deeper elation.

‘We’ll be together again soon, baby,’ I call after her. ‘And with no distractions. I promise.’

The door closes. The silence left behind is too heavy, too empty.

I drag myself back towards the bed and lower myself onto it. Every muscle screams.

‘Now, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to give me a sedative that mimics the coma and mostly takes me out of it.’

‘But… I told your family we’ll be bringing you out of the coma, not leaving you in it. I think your brother will want to see signs that you’re awakening, Signore,’ the doctor warns.

‘He can want all he likes. Make up some bullshit excuse.’ I motion at the junior doctor trying to hide behind his clipboard. ‘Last week you were more than eager with it. So get the sedative. Now.’

His eyes widen. ‘Signore, that’s not advisable⁠—’

‘I didn’t ask for advice. I asked for action.’

He hesitates, trembling.

‘Don’t make me fucking repeat myself, Dottore.’

Reluctantly, Dr Conti goes to the tray of medication and draws up the dose. ‘Half strength,’ he murmurs.

‘Good man.’ I take the syringe, find the vein myself, and push the plunger. The world begins to tilt, edges softening. ‘How long will it take?’