Page 81 of Tragic Empire

Right,I frown. People say that stress can kill you, after all.

“It’s unlikely that you’ll experience anything like this again, as it’s quite rare. Try not to let it cause you too much concern, you appear to be in good health otherwise.”

Sighing, I try to wrap my head around the concept. I’m almost pissed for the female kind. We don’t have enough to deal with as women already? Now I know thatthis shitcan happen?

“Can you tell Cassio I want to see him?”

“Of course.”

Just before he reaches the door, I remember my manners.

“And thank you,” I blurt quickly. “For helping me.”

Doc pauses, hand latched around the door handle. “It is a privilege to serve the Moretti family.”

As soon as he opens the door, Cassio is standing in front of him.

“Is she awake?” he demands, peering around the man. His eyes find mine and his shoulders drop in relief. Barging past Doc, he storms over to my bedside with wild eyes. “How do you feel? Are you in pain? I’m so fucking sorry, Ana.”

“Cassio,” I interrupt his panic. “I’m fine, I’m not in any pain. The morphine you insisted upon has taken care of that, I assure you.”

In fact, I might be a little buzzed from it. But I can hardly confess that to my overly worried husband without sending him into some kind of tizzy.

“Now, what’s this shit about you being sorry?” I demand, reaching for his hand to pull him closer. He sits on the side of my bed as I tug him down, a guilty look painting his face.

“I did this to you, Ana,” he croaks, looking away in shame. “Why does this keep happening to me? We shouldn’t have sex anymore, I can’t hurt you again. I always end up hurting the women I’m with.”

He’s so scared and sad, it’s obvious in the way his body remains tense and his voice cracks with emotion. I want to be able to be sweet, to mutter sweet words and tell him everything is going to be okay. But I’mpissed.

I don’t know whether it’s the morphine, or the fact that I haven’t been able to eat yet today. Either way, I want to bite his head off instead of comforting him.

“Don’t say that,” I snap, squeezing his hand. “You didn’t do anything to me. It was a freak accident. I loved having sex, and I’m certainly not agreeing to stop now.”

“You don’t understand?—”

“Youdon’t understand,” I growl. “I’m so sorry for what happened to you in the past, Cassio. But I’m not Isobel, and I’m not dying. And you didn’t do that to her either. You can’t blame yourself for acts of God.”

“I got her pregnant, I killed her.”

I can practically feel my heart crack. I can’t let my anger take over now, Cassio needs me. He’s been here through my grief, and I need to do the same. We’ve both been through too much, but we’re stronger with each other. He’s shown me that time and time again.

“Jade said Matteo told her you tried to get pregnant for years,” I tell him patiently. “You didn’t force that on her. She wanted a baby, didn’t she?”

He stubbornly shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Itdoesmatter.” My hands lift from the bed, reaching for his face. His cheeks are warm under my palms as I turn his head. “If I blamed myself for Cole’s death, you would tell me the same. Youdidtell me the same.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“And Isobel’s death wasn’t yours,” I tell him slowly—firmly. “I’m sorry if seeing me bloody triggered something for you, but you have to know that I don’t blame you. And even knowing as little about her as I do, I know she wouldn’t want you to blame yourself either.”

Cassio sighs, leaning forward to brush my lips in a kiss. “This scared the fuck out of me, Ana. I saw you bleeding and thought I fucking died. I was transported straight to Hell in an instant. I need you, you can’t leave me.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper, pressing our lips back together. I smile into our kiss before pulling back. “But you can’t treat me like glass after this, Husband. I’m going to want you again, and soon.”

“Minx,” he accuses, a tentative smile pulling at his lips.

Caressing his face, I ask, “Do you feel better?”