Chained Souls

Chapter 7

            Hope Emily Nightingale

I was furious that some articles blamed Nino for me getting shot. Even if it was one of his enemies, it wasn't his fault. He never could have predicted it would happen.

I'm healing faster than a normal person would, but the bullet hit just a few inches from my heart. It startled me. I never thought anyone would be bold enough to shoot me right in front of my house, especially considering the consequences.

To keep myself distracted, I asked my brother to get some books from the library. Dean was also on high alert after the shooting. He made sure Ava played inside the house.

I was completely absorbed in my book when there was a hurried knock at the door.

"Come in," I called out.

Nino walked in, his hair a mess, and a suitcase in his hand, indicating that he'd just arrived. He rushed to my bedside and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm never letting you go anywhere alone again," he whispered, still holding me tight.

I pulled back and looked at him. God, I had missed him so much. It felt like forever since I'd seen him. I pressed a soft kiss on his lips and smiled up at him. I made some room for him to climb into bed.

"You're hurt, Hope," he said, looking worried.

I pouted and patted the space next to me, insisting he get in. He sighed and slowly climbed into bed.

Nino settled into the bed beside me, his eyes never leaving mine. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face and sighed deeply.

"I can't believe this happened," he murmured. "I should have been here."

"It's not your fault," I reassured him, placing my hand on his cheek. "You couldn't have known. No one could have."

He looked at me with a mixture of relief and guilt. "I just... I can't lose you, Hope. You're everything to me."

I took his hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm not going anywhere, Nino. We'll get through this together."

He nodded, pulling me closer to him. "I promise I'll do everything to keep you safe."

We lay there in silence for a while, just holding each other. The warmth of his body next to mine was comforting, and I felt a sense of peace I hadn't felt since the shooting.

After a while, Nino broke the silence. "Dean told me you've been reading a lot. What book are you into now?"

I smiled, glad for the change in topic. "It's a mystery novel. Really gripping. It’s helping me keep my mind off things."

He chuckled softly. "You always did love a good mystery. Maybe you should read it to me. I could use the distraction too."

I picked up the book and began to read aloud. As the words flowed, I felt the tension in the room ease. For a moment, it was just the two of us, lost in a story, and the world outside didn't matter.

Eventually, Nino's breathing slowed, and I realized he had fallen asleep. I closed the book, placed it on the nightstand, and snuggled closer to him. Despite everything, I felt safe with him by my side.

I whispered softly, "I love you, Nino."

He murmured in his sleep, "I love you too, Hope."

And with that, I let myself drift off, feeling a sense of hope for the future.

The night passed quietly, a rare reprieve from the chaos of recent days. When I woke up, the first rays of sunlight were filtering through the curtains. Nino was still asleep, his arm draped protectively over me. I carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him.

As I moved to the window, I caught sight of Dean outside, patrolling the yard with a determined look on his face. I admired his dedication to keeping us safe, especially Ava, who was playing with her toys in the living room. Dean glanced up and gave me a reassuring nod.

Turning back to the room, I saw Nino stirring awake. He blinked a few times before his eyes focused on me. A sleepy smile spread across his face.

"Good morning," he said, his voice husky.

"Good morning," I replied, walking back to the bed and sitting beside him. "How did you sleep?"

"Better, with you here," he said, reaching for my hand. "What about you?"

"I slept well," I said, though the lingering pain from my injury reminded me it wasn't a complete lie.

Nino's expression turned serious. "We need to talk about security. This can't happen again."

"I know," I agreed. "But we can't live in fear either. We have to find a balance."

He nodded, though I could see the worry still etched on his face. "We'll figure it out. Together."

We shared a few quiet moments, enjoying the simple comfort of each other’s presence. Nino gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face and sighed deeply.

"I'm never letting you out of my sight again," he murmured, still holding me close.

"Good," I whispered back. "Because I don't want to be anywhere else."

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I called.

Chris, the head guard, stepped inside. His expression was a mix of concern and determination. "I need to discuss the new security arrangements," he said, his voice firm.

Nino sat up straighter, his protective instincts kicking in. "Let's hear it."

Chris laid out his plans, detailing increased patrols, security cameras, and a few trusted guards to keep watch. "We've tightened the perimeter and increased surveillance. We also have a few new guards joining the detail to ensure round-the-clock protection."

Nino listened intently, occasionally glancing at me to gauge my reaction. "That sounds solid," he said finally. "We need to make sure this never happens again."

"I agree," I said. "But we also need to find a way to live normally. Ava shouldn't feel like a prisoner in her own home."

Dean stepped into the room, having overheard the conversation. "I’ve been thinking," he began. "Maybe it’s safer for Hope to go back to Las Vegas with Nino. It’s more secure, and we can set up a protection detail there as well."

Nino turned to me, concern and hope in his eyes. "What do you think?"

I hesitated for a moment, thinking about everything. "If it means keeping us all safe, then yes. I think it’s a good idea."

Dean nodded, relieved. "I'll make the necessary arrangements. We’ll ensure everything is in place before you leave."