Deadly Love

Chapter 10

The soothing motion of someone caressing my cheek was what woke me up next. It was the same cheek which stung and burned, probably the one on which I was struck on, but the soft tracing fingers made it less uncomfortable. I tried to move my body but the movement made pain radiate all over my sore body and I hissed.

"Jade?" his voice was gentle as if he was afraid I will jump up and run away from him. He was frozen at my side.

Opening my eyes slowly which seemed to be glued together, I took in my surroundings. I was in a hospital, which I could tell from the white depressing walls and the smell of disinfectants in the air. There was a heart monitor to my left which gave a steady beeping sound and what seemed to be an oxygen tube in my nose. Looking down at myself, I noticed I was in hospital clothes, on my right arm, where I was kicked at, was a huge purpling bruise and minor scratches on my other arm. My ribs and stomach hurt- along with the back of my head which seemed to be swollen- when I moved but if I was still, the pain would subside. I sighed after thoroughly examining myself.

Glancing at Emanuele, I gasped when I noticed the moisture in his eyes. He was sitting on the side of my bed, his face distressed, filled with remorse, his teeth clenched. He averted his eyes from my face and instead stared at the bruise on my arm, his face turned sullen but he remained quiet.

"How long have I been here?" my voice was raspy, my throat scratchy.

"For almost two days!" he answered in a hard voice. "You were unconscious for a whole day."

I just stared at him as his face morphed into rage. "You were in such a bad condition when I brought you here Jade. The doctors told me you had internal bleeding in your stomach. You almost died."

I took it all in.

"I should wipe out their entire gang." His eyes blazed. "I promise you Jade I will hunt down their entire fucking gang. They had the guts to come into my house and take you from right under my nose, take what is so prezioso to me. They will pay for what they did to you."

My heart fluttered for a second but then I realized the threat in his words and knew that it was wrong. I was alive and would be well in a few days. I was glad for that, but revenge was what Emanuele was good at. He lived for it and I know he will not rest until he carries out his threat.

"What happened to the two men that were outside the house?" I grabbed his arm to relax him and a little tension left his body.

"They were killed beforehand. That is why they were able to come near you." He exhaled angrily.

I frowned. "But I didn't hear any gunshots."

"They were stabbed."

"That is terrible. I am sorry they died because of me."

He stared at me in disbelief. "You almost died Jade and you feel bad for them. You should be anything but sorry. In fact you should be mad at me for putting you in such a situation."

"I am not mad!" I stated dumbly. I really wasn't. I knew the risks that were attached to the name Emanuele Bertolino, but I still pursued him. Maybe because of my ulterior motives to get close to him, but still I didn't consider him to be responsible for my condition.

"That is why I am mad!" He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

I stared at him baffled. He is mad because I am not mad at him!

"Jade, Tesoro, mi dispiace. I am so sorry for what you had to go through. It is my entire fault. I should have given you more protection." He grabbed my hand that was on his arm, brought it to his lips and kissed it. "I should have taken Antonio's help when he offered. I should not have waited to ask for his help only when you were in grave danger and I did not know how to find you." he sounded really guilty, worry lines stretched on his face as he laced our fingers together. "I have never been so scared in my life Jade!"