Page 52 of Medical Malpractice

“Let’s get out of here, Nico, so we can talk properly without any distractions.”

Get out of the nursery! Get out!

He didn’t relent, burying his nose in the base of my neck. “Just another minute, babe. It’s been so long since I’ve held you. Dance with me, like you used to.”

By his tone, I knew he was serious. And when I pulled back and caught his expression, I took his demand for what it was; he’d given a direct order, not a request.

My hands bunched into fists on his pecs, the material of his shirt tightening between my stiff fingers.

Pushing every single reservation to the back of my mind, I tentatively loosened my grip, slid my palms upward and wound them around his neck.

Looking directly into his eyes, I lied straight through my fucking teeth. “I’d love to dance with you, husband.”

Nico’s expression flashed in surprise before a beaming smile took over. I hid my face in his chest and began to sway, not wanting to see his happiness or delight whilst my heart was literally shattering inside my chest.

Let this be enough, please.

Time seemed to blur as I thought of a million different ways to escape my demise, when a slight movement caught my attention. I continued my mindless dance to ensure Nico was positioned the opposite way so I could fully scope the doorway without suspicion.

That’s when I saw Leonardo, crouching low in the shadows, preparing to attack.

Tears immediately coated my vision, and I bit down hard on my tongue to stop a cry from breaking through. My husband’s features were set in determination, prepared to move at any second.

He had to wait and know the full scale of danger in what we were dealing with. I inconspicuously shifted one hand, signalling to the gun settled at the base of Nico’s spine.

Leonardo seemed to receive the intel as his gaze zeroed in on the weapon. However, Nico wasn’t fooled, thinking I’d made a flimsy attempt to grab the pistol for myself. He soon grasped my hands in his and anchored them back on his chest, where he regained control.

He chuckled. “You were always so smart, wife. Oh, how I missed your clever brain.”

Nico leant closer, lips puckered and eyes fluttering closed as if it were the perfect opportunity to lay one on me.

Bolstered with courage and the knowledge that I had someone else on my side, I reacted on impulse when his lips connected with mine.

I bit down hard. Nico screeched in pain as ruby red splashed between us. Taking advantage of the distraction, I then shoved against his chest with all my might, in the direction of Leonardo.

My husband did not hesitate, going on the attack immediately. The gun skittered to the doorway, while I stood sentry in front of Celeste’s cot, with the two men wrestling on the ground. Leonardo had the upper hand and seemed to be getting Nico under control—until fate intervened.

Each moment after that would become a haunting blur—the sound of a grunt, the distinct ringing of a gunshot, Celeste’s woken cries, Nico’s lagging breaths as he lost consciousness, then Leonardo lying supine, a puddle of stark red seeping from his abdomen, soaking the carpet with his blood.

Everything became distorted as all my senses pinpointed on my husband. He attempted to sit up, leveraging onto one elbow, which buckled beneath him.

I rushed over, dropped to my knees and pressed my palms hard against the hole in his side.

“Don’t get up. Stay down,” I said.

“Ah, so it’s me, then? I got shot?” he asked, his voice lacking its usual strength and lustre. He tried to get up again. “Is Nico—”

I shoved Leo back down and spared Nico a mere glance. “Yes, he’s out cold. He won’t be waking up anytime soon, so stop fucking trying to get up!”

Leonardo smirked, nodding along with my directive. “Whatever you say, Ella.”

I peered down at his wound and the torrent of blood seeping through my fingers, a desperate sob climbing up my throat. He’s losing too much, too fast!

Sirens could be heard in the distance, and long-forgotten hope flickered back to life when Leo said, “I called them. They should be here soon to keep you safe.”

“I need you to keep me safe. To keep our girls safe,” I said, tears running unchecked down my cheeks.

“We both know I can’t do that for much longer,” he said, indicating his life-threatening gunshot and the life force we were now both saturated in.