Luciano Fierri [Book #3]

Chapter 27

I don't remember passing out. So I was frightened when I awoke under bright lights and realized I was lying in a hospital bed with bandages and tubes attached to my body.

I attempted and failed to jolt up into a sitting position, the pain holding me down like gravity. I winced, turning my head to look over at a sleeping Luciano. He slept upright in a chair, his head slumped forward, the sound of his snoring causing a smile to form on my lips.

I didn't want to wake him out of his sleep, so I stayed quiet, finding comfort in watching him sleeping so peacefully. I don't know how long I was out, but knowing him and how stubborn he can be, he probably had been fighting the sleep that overtook him.

The door to the room opened and closed, a doctor with glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose walking in. "Oh good, you're awake," she says, looking up from her clipboard. "The injuries you sustained were pretty severe. You had some internal bleeding and a few cracked ribs, but you will be just fine."

"Grazie(thank you)."

"Beninteso(of course)," she replied with a nod. "You're free to go whenever you're ready."

As soon as she left, Luciano woke up. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, his green eyes zeroing in on me. "La mia luna(my luna)..." He grinned, but it quickly disappeared, a frown now sitting on his pretty lips.

"What's wrong?" I asked curiously.

He furrowed his thick, dark brows, anger flashing in his eyes. "Did he do this to you?" His voice had dropped an octave, his tone frighteningly serious and laced with the utmost venom.

I was silent. I could practically hear the pain in his brittle voice. And it hurt my heart deeply.

He raised his voice unexpectedly, slamming his fist down on the bed and causing the bed to slightly shake. T-Tell me!" He demanded. "Was. It. Him!?" He was crying now, his fist clenched.

I just nodded, fighting back my own set of tears. He parted his lips to speak again, but was interrupted by the door being opened.

My family stormed in, ambushing me with hugs and kisses. I winced from the tight embrace their pain was causing me and they released me, an apologetic look etched into their faces.

"Mi dispiace, mia cara(I'm sorry, my dear). When Luciano called us, saying you were in the hospital I thought the worse." My emotional mother wouldn't stop crying even after I assured her that I was fine. Now I see where I get it from.

"Do you want us to get you anything?" Viola asked, the pity I hate some much, in her tone.

I shook my head. "I just want to go home."

"Leonardo's waiting in the car. We can leave and take you there right now," Vivian said.

I shook my head again. "No, not that house."

"You sure?" Luciano questioned, catching on.

I just nodded, my lip quivering. I wasn't safe anywhere. I know that now. But, it didn't matter because my home is back with Luciano in New York. Not here, where even though I'm free I'll always feel trapped, imprisoned.

Sicily is a beautiful place and always will be, but this is where I feel the ugliest. I can't blossom into the beautiful flower Luciano sees me as when I'm surrounded by so much darkness.

"Please take me home."

Luciano stood up and nodded. "Okay. I'll go fill out the paperwork, so you can say goodbye."

After he left the room, I turned my attention back onto my mother and sisters.

"Please tell me you told him?" Viola blurted out.

"No, I didn't. I was going to, but then we got into an argument and all of this happened."

"Fate doesn't seem to be on your side sorella(sis)," Vivian said, shaking her head. "But that doesn't mean you two aren't meant to be together."

"Exactly," my mother said while brushing my hair down with her pudgy, wrinkled hand. She was still wearing her wedding ring, the diamond still shining just as brightly as the day my father slipped the ring on her finger. "Your papa knew you two would be together," she said suddenly.

I raised a brow. "Really?"

"Mhm. You two were just months old. You wouldn't stop crying, so Alina thought it would be a good idea to put you in the crib with Luciano. We left for only a moment. But when we returned, Luciano was snuggling close to you, his little arm slung over your tiny body, and you were no longer crying. That's when your father knew that he wouldn't have to worry about his neonata(babygirl) because Luciano would always be there for you when he couldn't."

My eyes widened at my mother's revelation. It explains why I've always found comfort in his arms. There was just something about the way he held me. I could never explain it. It was just so... so... safe.

Luciano re-entered the room, a cup of water in hands. "I thought you might be a little thirsty." I thanked him, staring into those beautiful bright green eyes as he handed me the cup, a smile on his face. He looked up, noticing the look of awe my family was boring into the two of us. I blushed, taking a sip of the cool water. "Is... everything alright?"

"Take care of her for us, Luciano Fierri," Vivian said.

"O-Of course," Luciano stuttered, rubbing the nape of his neck. He quickly caught on to the serious expression on Vivian's face, nodding. "I'll protect her with my life. I can promise you that."

"We believe you," my mother replied. "I wouldn't entrust anyone to care for my daughter more than you, figlio(son)."

He nodded once more, turning to me. He tilted his head, brushing his thumb over my cheek. "Ready to go home, la mia luna(my luna)?"

I smiled, folding my hand over his. "Sì(yes), let's go home."