Dinner on Friday

11. Dante

PROTECTOR

There she was, lying in the hospital bed, her eyes closed, her beautiful brown face lacking warmth. Her breaths were shallow, and I could see the IV line running into her arm.

I rearranged the thin blanket over her shoulders before I sat down on the chair next to her and took her hand in mine. I didn't like how still and unresponsive she was. I missed the days when she would run her hands through my hair, down the side of my neck, and over my chest.

Soon. One more night and then I would take her home where she belonged.

You belong in my bed, cariño, and not in this wretched hospital room where flowers have a hard time surviving.

I glanced toward the door where I knew a subpar guard had been posted before closing my eyes. Fuck it, I was tired. Why did I feel like a dog who had been chasing his tail all day? I hadn't slept in four days and it was strainful to keep my eyes open.

I didn't trust the guards in the hospital, and hospital policy wouldn't allow me to hire my own. The only external guards allowed on the promises were the ones police had stationed there, and the fucking cops didn't think Carla's situation warranted extra security.

At the end of the day, it didn't matter. I was all the security she needed. I would protect her with my life and I didn't know anyone willing to do that no matter how much I paid them.

One of my guards, Sergio Matela, was posted outside in case I needed backup. Sergio was young, but he was also damn good at his job. I guessed being Schipper's adopted son had a lot to do with that.

Carla muttered in her sleep and I opened one eye to look at her. "What is it, baby?"

Her eyelids fluttered, and she groaned, her eyes gradually opening. "Dante?"

I leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Yeah, it's me."

She traced my jaw, running the tip of her index finger over my four-day stubble. "You didn't spend time with me in my dreams."

"I didn't?"

"No, I saw you though. It made me sad."

"What made you sad?"

She frowned and then tried to sit up.

I put my hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her back onto the pillows. "You need to rest, love. Tell me more about this dream."

"It felt so real, like it would never end. are you sure I was only gone for four days?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I was here the whole time watching you sleep."

"Must have been boring."

"Not at all. There isn't a single boring thing about you." I reached out and caressed her cheek, smiling as I stared into her eyes. "Not a single thing. Did you know that you have three freckles on your right earlobe? I took your earrings out like you always do before going to bed and I saw them."

Carla touched her ear as if in awe. "I don't know about that, I can't really see my ear in the mirror."

"Well, it's beautiful. Freckles and all."