Page 92 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Roman

An incessant beeping wakes me. Opening my eyes hurts, and I feel nauseous.

I look around at the white walls surrounding me and realize I’m in a hospital.

The events of the wedding reception come back to me, and I’m yanking cords out of my arm, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.

“CECILIA!” I shout, needing to find her. “CE–”

“I’m here, Roman. I’m here,” the soothing voice of my whole world calms me.

I look to my right and see her at my side. Tears stream down her face, and it breaks my heart.

“Sunshine, why are you crying?” I ask, needing to make whatever it is better.

“You almost died! You almost died, and it scared me. You were in surgery for hours, and then you were unconscious even longer. I had to fight to get in this room with you.” She continues to sob.

“Oh, sunshine,” I console her. I grip her waist and lift her into my bed.

“No! I can’t be in the bed with you! You need to heal!” she scolds me, and I just chuckle.

“If you think a measly gunshot wound is going to keep me from you, you’re crazy,” I assure her.

“Two gunshots wounds!” she obstinately corrects me.

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes at her dramatics. “I’m fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve been shot, and it won’t be the last.”

Tears well in her eyes again, and she wheezes in.

“Don’t say that!” she cries out.

I go over my words and wince when I realize my mistake.

“I’m sorry, sunshine. I promise I’ll be more careful in the future,” I assure her. It’s the truth. I won’t let anything keep me from my wife. I need to always be here to protect her.

I grip her arm, pulling her to my chest, and she winces in pain.

“What’s wrong?” I demand and pull up her t-shirt sleeve.

To reveal a bandage covering her arm.

A fucking bandage with red seeping through.

She’s fucking bleeding!

And I see red.

“You’re hurt!” I growl out, fuming.

“It’s just a scrape, thanks to you. You’re the one who took the bullet for me,” she explains stubbornly.

I sit up, ignoring the pain, and turn her gently to face me.

The memory of the ambush comes to me suddenly.

And I’m even angrier than before.

“How fucking dare you?” I demand, beyond furious.

“What?” she asks confused.

“How fucking dare you put yourself in harm’s way? How dare you come between me and a man trying to kill? How fucking dare you?” I’m blinded by my fury.

“Excuse me! I’m the reason we’re alive. I took out TWO of them! I shot and killed two men.” The last line comes out a whisper.

Tears well in her eyes as she soaks in what she did.

I pull her into my chest, grimacing when her head hits my wounded shoulder.

“Sunshine, you saved us. You did what you had to do. If you hadn’t shot those men, we’d be dead,” I console her.

When she finally evens out her breathing, she jumps back, realizing her head has been resting on my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry. We can get you some morphine if you need it,” she offers.

“No, we’re talking first. Look at me!” I demand.

Only when her eyes find mine do I continue.

“Don’t you ever do that again! Don’t you ever put yourself in any position that could get you hurt.

I don’t care if the only protection you have is me, you use me until the danger passes.

I don’t care if I die saving you. You use my body as a shield.

I won’t live in a world where you’re gone!

Do you understand me?” I shake her gently, needing her to realize how serious I am.

“But–” she tries to argue.

“But nothing! Promise me you’ll never do that again. I’m here to protect you. My job is to make sure you’re safe! Promise me!” I’m begging at this point, but I don’t care.

She lifts my pinky finger in hers and shakes.

“I promise,” she whispers sadly.

Then she leans forward and kisses me deeply.

I respond quickly, loving every minute of it.

“Do you remember what I said before you passed out?” She blushes as she asks.

I work hard to keep my face neutral when the smile fights so hard against me. I remember her forgiving me and telling me she loves me, but I want to hear it again.

“It’s fuzzy,” I tell her, and it’s not technically a lie. My memories of the reception are a little hazy.

“I love you, Roman. So much. I know you messed up, but everything you did, you did for me. While I don’t approve of the methods, you made my life better.

And you’ve more than made up for it. I’ve never been happier than when I was yours.

I don’t want to move out or get an annulment.

I want to stay your wife. I forgive you.

So please, please don’t ever try to leave me like that again! ”

Tears stream down her face as she professes her love.

I pull her in for a hug, and despite the pain, I wrap both arms around her.

“I love you. And I’ll never stop loving you. You are my sunshine. I’m sorry I did some crazy things, but you make me crazy. I can’t change who I am, that I’ll do anything to keep you. Just don’t ever leave again,” I beg.

“I accept you for who you are. If the Syndicate keeps the city safe from the men that attacked us, then I understand.” She pauses then giggles. “I’ll never run away again. Plus, you’ll know if I do.”

I freeze, only now remembering the tracker I put in her.

“I can take it out if you’d like. But it really is a safety measure. The Bratva has taken our women before. I can’t risk losing you,” I confess.

A look of fear crosses her face then she burrows into me.

“I know you’ll always protect me, but I want to keep it in. It makes me feel safe knowing you’re looking out for me,” she sighs.

I exhale in relief.

I keep her buried in my arms, and when the nurse comes to put my IV back in, I let him, but I refuse to let Cecilia out of my bed.

She falls asleep rather quickly after staying up all night worrying about me.

I just watch her sleep, holding her to my chest.

Where she’s safe.

Where she’ll always be protected.

And I process what could’ve happened. How I could’ve lost her. And I vow to never let anything come between us again.