Mafia Princess

Chapter One-Hundred Fifty-One

Twilight...not mine (sigh).

Chapter 151

BPOV

I was warm. I was heavy. I was...really out of it. My mind was foggy and I didn't know where I was. I could hear voices, beeping and footsteps. I wanted to open my eyes, but my body wouldn't cooperate. In a way, I was grateful. I had been overrun with sensations in the clutches of James, Riley and Aro. I wanted to just sleep. My body and my brain had other ideas.

Most of all, I wanted my dad. I wanted to tell him what Aro had said to me about Renee. I wanted confirmation that Charlie still loved me even though I was not his biologically.

Cringe.

"When will she wake up?" asked Emmett.

"When her body is ready, Mr. McCarty," replied a female voice. "She went through a tremendous trauma."

"I just want to know that she's okay," Emmett whispered, taking my hand. "Bambina, please wake up. There are a lot of people who are worried about you." His voice cracked at that last statement and I listened to him cry quietly. I wanted to comfort him but again, my body was not behaving. Giving up on trying to stay 'with it' I let myself fade into unconsciousness.

My mind became aware some time later and it was much quieter around me. I could only hear beeping and some soft breathing. My body was tingling and I knew that Edward was close by. Part of me wanted to continue hating him, but he pulled me out of that torture chamber. He had saved me. Could I still hate him despite his actions?

Simple answer...no.

Could I trust him? I don't know.

My eyes fluttered and I forced them open. It was dark in the room and I immediately felt nervous. What if Riley and James came back? My heart rate spiked. The soft breathing lump next to me shot up. I recognized the hair immediately. It was Edward. However, his face was not what I remembered. It was covered with a beard and beneath his eyes were black circles from exhaustion. He turned to me, his green eyes staring into mine. They were hollow, sad and so, so desolate. My body relaxed when I saw him. "Bella," he said, his voice deep from disuse. He reached for my hand but drew it back, his eyes dropping to the floor. "Let me get the doctor."

"Don't leave," I whispered, my own voice raspy and dry.

"I'm going to reach across you," he said, grabbing the call button. He pressed it, waiting patiently until the nurse chimed in. "Miss del Cigno is awake."

"Thank you," she replied. "Dr. Jones will be in a few minutes."

"Do you need anything?" Edward asked warily.

"Some water," I croaked out. He nodded and got some water from a pitcher next to my bed. He tenderly put a straw against my mouth. I eagerly sucked down the water, thrilled to have something in my system that wasn't drugged.

"Do you want some more?" he questioned. I nodded. He got me some more water.

"How long was I gone?" I asked.

"Abducted or here in the hospital?" Edward asked, arching his brow. I could see a red scar just above it. I shrugged. "Well, you were in Aro's hold for five days. It's been a week since we got you out."

"Twelve days?" I screeched.

"Bella, please calm down," Edward beseeched me, holding his hands out. All of the memories of my captivity flooded me. I couldn't breathe. Edward took my hand and he stared at me. He placed my hand on his chest. "Feel my heart, Little One. Look at me, baby. You're safe. No one will hurt you."

I followed his instructions, feeling his slowly beating heart and staring into his sad eyes. You made them sad, bitch. You hurt him by telling you hate him. Now, he saved you and is comforting you. You have yet to thank him or respond in any way...Thinking that, my body continued to tremble. Edward growled lowly and took me into his arms, pressing my ear to his chest. "It's okay, Bella. You're safe. You're safe. Just breathe," he chanted, rocking me like a baby. I gripped his shirt and allowed myself to be comforted. As much as I wanted to talk to Charlie, it was this that made me feel protected.

Il mio protettore.

Il mio amore.

"I'm sorry," I rasped. "Please forgive me, Edward." Tears flew down my cheeks.

"Shhhh," he soothed, tightening his arms around me tenderly. "No need for apologies. I understand why...Just calm down, Little One."

"Don't leave me," I sobbed.

"I'm never going anywhere, Bella. I'll keep you safe," he murmured, nuzzling my cheek.

"P-p-p-promise?" I sniffled.

"Promise," he answered.

I felt my eyes get heavy and the fight leave my body. Having Edward hold me and console me allowed me to relax for the first time since we had exchanged our words of love. He held me tightly and I felt him sigh contentedly. Pulling back, I stared at his face and saw that he was asleep. I reached up, brushing my fingers through his hair. His nose was more crooked than before and he had the scar above his eyebrow. He also had a fairly recent scar on his temple. I cringed, thinking that I probably did those when I hurt him. "I'm sorry, Edward," I cried quietly. I buried my face into his chest, inhaling his scent. "I don't hate you, amore." My eyes clamped shut and mentally I said the words that I wanted to...I love you.

A/N: See? She still loves him. However, it's going to be a bumpy road for these two. The trust is gone and will need to be rebuilt. Also, I said that this will be roughly 200 chapters. I'm still thinking that's the goal. Leave me some...

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