Page 130 of Bellini Born

There was blood and brain matter coating her skin, staining the blonde strands of her hair, and I needed to get her into the shower. That would be much easier if she were at least semi-conscious.

“Summer.” I jostled her gently in an attempt to rouse her, only to have her head loll against my arm.

Trying again, I tapped her face. “Come on,bella. I need you to wake up for me.”

A moan slipped past her lips. “Matteo.”

“I’m right here.” I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “I just need you to open your eyes. Please.” My voice cracked on that final word.

Dark lashes fluttering, they finally lifted, and I watched as the memories of her ordeal came rushing back, and she fucking broke down in my arms.

Sobbing, she trembled violently as she clutched at the fabric of my sweater like she was afraid that if she let go, I might disappear. “R-Rico’s dead, and I-I thought—“

“Shh. I’ve got you. Let’s get you cleaned up, okay?” I tried desperately to keep my voice soothing, even as my heart fractured inside my chest. Any illusion that I might have been able to shield her from the darkest parts of this world I’d selfishly dragged her into was shattered today. Tying her to my life made her a target, just as it had done to Allegra, and history had almost repeated itself today.

Summer let me strip her down and guide her to the shower. I turned on the hot water, testing the temperature before urging her inside.

She stared up at me with those big doe eyes, fear still swirling in their blue depths. “Don’t leave me.”

Dropping my forehead to hers, I whispered, “I’m not going anywhere. Promise.”

I stepped back and began shedding my clothes. A sharp gasp rang out when my chest came into view.

“Oh my God. You were sh-shot?” Summer’s panicked voice wavered.

“I’ll be fine,” I reassured her, my hand on her back forcing her beneath the hot spray.

The water ran red as it swirled down the drain, and Summer’s eyes remained fixed on it. Even though I hated that she was focused on the reminder of the day’s fatal nature, I took advantage of her distracted state, working shampoo throughher hair and removing all visible traces of the violence she had witnessed.

Her fingers ghosted over the skin of my left pec. “You’re still bleeding.”

“Doc’s on his way. He’ll get me all patched up after he checks you over.”

Wide blue eyes lifted, full of terror. “N-no. Please, no. I can’t.”

My hands cupped her face. “It’s going to be fine.”

“No!” she screamed forcefully enough that I stumbled back in shock. “I have to get out of here.” She reached for the glass door, threw it open, and rushed out of the shower.

“Summer, wait!” I chased after her, cursing under my breath, when my wet feet slid on the marble flooring.

I found her, still naked and dripping wet, backed into a corner of the bedroom, eyes darting around like she was expecting a hidden enemy to jump out and attack at any moment.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for the knock that sounded at the door. It sent my wife into a hysterical fit, her high-pitched cries echoing off every surface.

“Mr. Bellini? Is everything okay?” A concerned voice coming through the wood was barely audible over the ringing in my ears.

“No! Please, no!” Summer shouted on repeat.

I didn’t give a fuck that both of us were naked; she needed more help than I could give her, and she needed it immediately.

Desperate and at my wits’ end, I threw open the door, commanding, “Do whatever it takes.”

Dr. Corsi had been in my family’s employ for decades, had seen all manner of illness and injury over the years, but still, he hesitated when he laid eyes upon the scene of my beautifully broken wife falling to pieces.

Snapping out of it quickly, he reached into his black medical bag and pulled out a syringe. “I’m going to sedate her, but I’ll need help in restraining her to administer it.”

“Of course. Whatever you need.”