Bound by Blood and Belief: A Mafia Series; 1

Compassion

Hana's pov

After the encounter of the goons Massimo had faced, we were driving back into the dessert. The sun vibrant and yellow like a dandelion in bloom, a big contrast to the blood I saw splattered on the floor. My whole body shook when he shot that man without any hesitation. But...the way he promised he would keep me safe, to which he kept, made my heart throb. The gentle kiss he placed on my forehead that no man has ever done. My father doesn't count. This man was having me grow on him, and that was unacceptable.

I know he was looking at me, he wasn't being very subtle about it. His eyes would flicker to my eyes then at my fingers which were fiddling around. Nervous habit. Either from him or the events. My eyes flickered to him as I see him shaking, his face showing he was in pain. Or maybe i was imagining it? Why should I care. However I wasn't brought up to not be compassionate, nor did my religion did.

"Are you okay?" I say quietly, not even sure he heard me. He grunts, his eyes still on the road. I didn't budge him about it but his small groans caught me off guard. I discreetly look around his body, noticing his hand over his waist. Red. Blood. Seeping through his shirt which makes me want to gag.

"You're bleeding..." I say horrified. He doesn't listen and carries on driving.

"Are you not listening? you're bleeding!" I didn't want him bleeding to death.

"Stop being dramatic. This is nothing." It was definitely not nothing. He was clearly in pain from the way be was clutching onto the wound.

"Massimo..." I looked at him in shock. "Stop the car." I say seriously. "Let me help y-"

"How the fuck can you help." He cuts me off and stop the car. I noticed guilt in his eyes, his fingers run through his hair. His chest heaving up and down from being conflicted.

"I may despise you, but i'm not one to leave a person hurt." He looks at me and finally gives in. He pulls his shirt up revealing his bullet wound and I frown at the sight. I gently touch his waist, noticing the tremor of his abdomen.

"How does this not hurt for you?" Please forgive me Allah, for touching this man but I cannot...won't let him bleed out. I undo his buttons, my fingers tremble as I take in notice of his toned chest. I helped remove his shirt to use it as the bandage.

"You need medical attention, you will get an infection staying like this." His eyes bore into mine, a small smile tugging on his lips.

"What?" I looked at him puzzled. I flinched as his fingers grazed my cheek. My heart did a 360 and for some reason I wanted his lips on my forehead again.

40 minutes later

I made sure he wasn't in pain as he slept. I would check his breathing every now and then, my ear against his chest as I noticed the quiet sound of his breathing. I brush the sweat forming on his forehead and brushed away his hair. The wound was getting worse and i knew it was impossible for him to drive. I gently shake him awake.

"Massimo..." His eyes opened hurriedly. "Sorry...everything's fine but we need to go, so i'll drive."

"You can drive?" Nope. I definitely could not but there's no harm right.

"Well, there's a first time for everything..." His eyes widened and laughs, shaking his head. It was beautiful, like the sea calmly flowing on a hot sunny day on the beach.

"Okay fiore mio. Let's see your driving skills."

We switched seats, me being in the driver seat. Although i could barely see the front but I didn't need a full view. I turned on the ignition and gripped the steering wheel.

"I can already tell by the way you're gripping that wheel, we're doomed from the start." I scoffed at his words.

"I'm a good driver. What do I do next?" I had managed to drive and I was happy doing so. My eyes were glancing back at him, to make sure his condition didn't worsen.

"What to do. By the time we reach the airport it'll be tomorrow." I pursed my lips, but he was right. I was driving 20 miles per hour and at this rate he'll pass out. I pressed on the gas, hoping I was going slightly faster.

"Wait...slow down."

"What's up with you? you tell me to go slow, then fast. Make up your mind" I look at him.

"Hana fuck the brakes!" My head whipped to the front and another car was zooming right at us. I pushed down on the brakes causing us to jolt. I could hear the sound of our restless breathing. I nearly just killed us both.

"Sorry..."

"I'm never letting you drive again fiore mio." A person gets out the car and we both recognise it as Luca. I sighed in relief, knowing there was help.

He knocks on the window and I get out.

"Luca..."

"Hey, glad I got here on time. I'll take over, get some rest, okay?" He pats my head waiting for me to enter the backseat to which i do. He enters the driver seat and shakes his head at Massimo, looking paler than ever.

"We need to get him to a hospital. At this rate he'll bleed out." I look at Luca hoping he would do something.

"No hospital..." Massimo groans out and I stare at him in disbelief.

"What do you mean no -"

"He's right. Do you think in our line of work we can just waltz into the hospital without being caught as the mafia? Look don't worry, I know how to take care of him. Plus he's stronger than he looks. Just rest." Luca starts the ignition and I slumped onto the seat. These two men had me questioning my own pain tolerance. I could barely stay calm when i got a paper cut to my finger. We reached the airport and Massimo's jet was awaiting us.
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