Page 27

Katie

Hospitals have a very distinctive smell. Before I even open my eyes, I know where I am. The reason I’m here floods back into my memory.

“Oh no, Marco!” I sit bolt upright in bed, and my parents put their hands on my shoulders.

“Hey, sweetheart, you’re okay; you’re safe in the hospital.” My mother sits on one side of my bed, my father on the other.

“Where’s Leo?”

“He’s outside. Where he has been ever since he brought you in,” my dad replies.

“Two days he’s stood guarding your door; I didn’t even know you two were in touch again?” my mum comments.

“I did,” my dad chirps back sarcastically.

Ever since I can remember, they’ve had this who-is-the-better-parent competition going on. They had me as teenagers and still act like that’s what they are when they’re together .

“She’s awake. I told you to inform me the minute she woke up!” Leo blares at my parents from the doorway. “Doctor!” he shouts down the corridor.

My mum rolls her eyes. “He’s very bossy!”

“He saved your life. Do you remember what happened?” Dad asks me, concerned.

“Bits,” I say, not wanting to talk about it.

Leo returns with the doctor.

“Clear the room; the doctor needs space to work,” He barks.

My mum and dad leave, each giving me a kiss as they do. Leo stays, watching the doctor's every move. My blood pressure is taken, then he checks my dressings and looks into my eyes.

“Everything looks good. You’re a lucky lady.”

“When will I be able to take Katie home?”

“Another day or two, as I’d like to keep an eye on her for at least another twenty-four hours. If she continues to improve, she can recover at home.”

Closing the door behind him, the doctor leaves Leo and me alone.

“Katie?” I question. Leo has never once called me anything but Katherine.

Pulling up a chair, he sits by my bed, taking my hand in his .

“It’s the name you prefer, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes.” Although I’d gotten used to being Katherine just for him.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m sorry.” I sob.

“No. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I should never have let you leave. I let him take you away. I failed you.”

The pain in his eyes breaks my heart. Reaching out to hold him in my arms, the pain of my broken ribs stops me; realising this, Leo climbs into bed beside me and holds me. This feels like home. This is where I want to be. With him. Safe.

“I’ve called off the wedding.”

I feel a little sad to hear that.

“You know, I really didn’t mean it when I said I loved Jax. I just said that because I wanted to go home.”

“I know.” He squeezes me a little harder, kissing my head.

“I’m so sorry about Marco.” I thought he hated me. I can’t believe he sacrificed his life for me. Tears roll down my face; he meant so much to Leo.

“Hey, don’t cry. It will take more than a little bit of lead to get rid of that monster.”

“He’s alive? ”

“Sure is. And giving those doctors and nurses hell for not letting him go home already.”

“I’m so relieved, Leo.” I sob.

“Me too. How are you feeling?”

“A little sore, but mainly tired.”

“You get some sleep.” He goes to get up.

“Please stay,” I beg, holding tightly on to his hand.

“I’m never leaving you again.”

That makes me smile. Drifting comfortably off to sleep, I hope he means it.

Leo is true to his word. When I wake, my head is nestled in his chest. His head rests on mine.

A lot has changed in the last few days. Having a near-death experience really makes you realise what is important in your life.

Although I’d been forced into a marriage and held in a country against my will, I’d never felt so looked after, loved, and happy.

Leo’s lifestyle is far from ideal, but what is the ideal life?

They say you shouldn’t marry the person you could live with for the rest of your life.

They say you should marry the person you can’t live without.

Leo has never been far from my thoughts since I met him all those years ago.

After spending these past weeks and months with him, there’s no chance my life will be worth living without him.

The door opens, and in walk my parents, waking Leo.

Sitting up slightly to greet them, Leo firmly keeps his hold on me, not wanting to let me go.

My dad's eyes dance between us, not used to seeing his daughter in such an embrace, and with a man he has only just met.

His nostrils flare, and he clears his throat.

“Your mum and I have been talking; we think it would be best if you came to stay with me while you recover.”

What a surprise; out of the two of my parents, it’s my dad who has offered to take care of me.

“That’s not necessary; Katie will stay with me.”

My dad shoots Leo an annoyed glance.

“That is, if Katie would like?” Leo turns to face me, his eyes wide in question.

Him calling me Katie and asking me what I would like to do are all very strange statements coming from Leo, but I accept them gratefully.

“Thanks, Dad, but I think I would like to stay with Leo.” It’s where I feel most safe—by Leo’s side.

“And where will you be staying, Leo? Don’t you live in Italy?”

“In London, not too far from here I will send you the address, and you may visit whenever you wish. It is very comfortable and will cater to all Katie’s needs.”

“Right, I suppose that’s sorted, then.” My dad doesn’t look impressed.

I feel bad, but I can’t be apart from Leo.

“You have a house in London?” I whisper to Leo.

“I do now.” He winks.

Later that day, Damien and his business partner Josh come to speak to Leo and me.

“Have you found him?!” Leo demands.

“Not yet,” Damien responds.

“Find him immediately and bring him to me! I will be the one to tear his head from his body.”

“With all due respect, Guerra, you’re not in Italy now. We will find him and deal with him.”

Damien and Josh stand tall in front of Leo. The amount of testosterone in this room is enough to makeany girl faint.

“Leo, who are you talking about?” I ask, leaning out to grab his arm, trying to diffuse the situation.

I know full well who they mean. Jax. I have been scared to ask, not wanting to know the answer. He is either dead or had escaped. Either way, I haven’t felt strong enough to think about it.

Leo growls out a huff and sits beside me, recusing himself from the conflict.

Taking my hand, he kisses it. “I will not let him or anyone hurt you ever again. I promise you. Jax will pay a thousand times over for what he has done.”

“Unfortunately, Katie, when I and the team entered the building, Jaxon was nowhere to be seen. We have people working tirelessly to find him, and we will,” Damien finishes, nodding to Josh to continue.

“At your request, Guerra, we have looked into the Graves.

It seems you may be onto something. The Graves organisation was originally run by a man named David Graves.

His empire ran throughout America and England.

Although a criminal gangster, he had morals and values.

His son, however, did not. Cain Graves, David's son, was the main boss throughout England, but the power went to his head. He got greedy, started using drugs, and caused turmoil within his own organisation. His father stepped in eventually, but it was too late. Many innocent people lost their lives. Both Graves men died almost two years ago. With the next heir in line not wanting any part of it, all has been quiet since. However, it seems now that a family relative has decided to rear their ugly head. A highly intelligent computer whizz who can ruin your life with the touch of a button, apparently. A distant cousin who goes by the name of Jay, or J.A.”

“Jaxon Adams?”

“More than likely. We think that the Martelés were working with the Graves.”

“No, the Martelés work only for themselves, like the Guerras,” Leo argues.

“Maybe so, but the Martelés and the Graves leader were both involved in kidnapping Katie. For what reason, as yet, we don’t know.”

“I might do,” I admit.