Page 71 of A Murder of Crows

I drop him. Half in surprise, but also half in sheer fucking irritation, because Domenico Rossi is easily the most bull-headed man I have ever met.

And that really is saying something, considering my upbringing. “You arenotdischarging yourself!”

He gives me a long-suffering look. “You’re not going back there without me. I forbid it.”

Make that one hundred fucking per cent irritation. He grunts as I punch him in the arm. “Fucking hell, Cat. I’m inhospital,woman. Have pity on me.”

Crossing my arms, I glare at him. “You can’t have it both ways, Domenico. And what the hell do you mean, youforbidit?”

“Someone tried to poison you. I need to find out who.”

He continues to try to pull himself up, failing every time. Meanwhile, I stand there, tapping my feet on the floor and debating whether I should just knock him out.

He would get more rest. I would feel much better.

Feels like a win-win.

When he finally sinks back down, his chest heaving, I walk over and poke him in the chest. “You done?”

He grimaces, squeezing his eyes shut. “I’ll try again in a minute.”

I take a deep breath. A deep, deep breath. And then another one, praying for patience. “If you’re done with your little pseudo-Superman routine, I could always explain that I alreadyknowwho did it, because I’m not completely useless, and you could listen. Instead of charging off half-cocked, even though youwere dead a few damn hours ago.”

“Cat—,” his voice is placating, but I’m not having any of it.

“You died, Dom,” I snap hoarsely. “You died in front of me. You stopped fuckingbreathing, and if it wasn’t for Dante, I doubt you’d be sitting here griping at me now, and all you can think about is going back forround fucking two?”

I stop, my breath heaving in harsh pants, and glare at him.

Waiting.

He presses his lips together. “Don’t ask me to apologize for keeping you safe, Cat. I’ll be spending the rest of my life on my knees if that’s the case.”

God, he’s such a stubborn shit. “I don’t need a protector, Dom, I just need—,”

You. I just need you.

The harsh line of his jaw softens. “Come here, Caterina.”

I tip my chin up. “I’m not helping you get out of here. You’re staying until the doctor discharges you.”

He rolls his eyes at me, rumpled and exhausted, but still here. “Isaid, come here, Caterina.”

I don’t know when our relationship slipped into this. From enforcer and boss to something… more.

Silently, I pad across the room. He lifts his arm, shifting himself to the side as I slide in beside him. Lay my head on his shoulder. I feel his breath across my hair, my heart faintly stuttering as he presses his lips against my head.

Still here with me.

And finally, I can breathe.

***

I exit the room, a sleeping Domenico behind me, and glance up and down.

Dante unfolds himself from one of the plastic chairs dotted around. “How is he?”

“Alive. Thanks to you.”