*JANIE*

"But Sir-" The nurse began to say only to shut her mouth as she noticed the dead gripping glare Luciano issued her.

She seemed perturbed. She didn't feel it was right to move someone who had just regained consciousness, and for reasons she wasn't sure of.

"Why are you still standing there?" Luciano growled, "Get her dressed, I am moving her now!" He commanded before lowering his head back to the cell phone in his hand and typing ferociously on it.

Still, the nurse stood her ground. She did not make an effort to move.

Deep down, I could have warned her not to mess around with Luciano, but I did not understand the situation also and was as confused as the nurse.

A few seconds later, Luciano raised his head from the phone to look at the nurse. When he noticed she hadn't made a move yet, he clenched his jaw and reached for his back pocket.

Before I knew it, he brought out a pistol, cocked it, and then aimed it at the nurse. "I do not like to repeat myself over and over again."

Terrified, the nurse began to tremble as she begged for her life. "Pl-lease Sir—"

Knowing what Luciano is also capable of, I found myself chiming in. "Luciano, you cannot do—"

"Oh God! Woman don't make me spill your blood when I don't want to. Get your fucking ass over there and help my girl get dressed!" He barked at the nurse, who immediately scurried over to my bedside and began unzipping my hospital gown.

She tried to lift me from the bed gently so she could peel the gown completely off me, but as I allowed her to do her job, my attention was on Luciano.

I could see how tensed he had gotten in the past few minutes, and how agitated he was.

My mind reeled as his agitation grew. He kept muttering incoherently under his breath as his eyes flashed with a fierce inner storm. I couldn't figure out why he was this disturbed. Despite the uncertainty, I felt the need to trust his judgment. There was something about him that drew me in, something that made me feel safe.

After the nurse helped me change into the clothes that he had brought, he came closer to me and then wrapped his arm possessively around my waist, helped me off the bed, and guided me towards the door.

It was meant to be a nice, romantic moment, for a little while at least. With each step he took, I winced in pain. Apparently, I had not finished recovering from the gunshot wound, which was still very tender, and every little movement affected me.

"Sir, she will need a wheelchair for now. Let me rush over to the reception and document some medications and requirements for her," the nurse suggested, her voice filled with concern. But Luciano didn't even acknowledge her words, or at least I noticed he wasn't paying any attention to her.

Instead, he scooped me into his arms in a bridal carry, almost as though I weighed nothing. Just like before, it was another beautiful moment, ruined by the sharp pain I felt from the impact of his need to carry me. I winced again, and his eyes met mine apologetically. I could read the look on his face instantly.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this at this moment," he murmured, his voice a mix of frustration and regret. "And I promise that I'm going to make it up to you. Just trust me, okay?" His words felt reassuring. My heart swelled as I looked at the man holding me so tightly, as though I would break into pieces if he ever let go. For some reason, he had become my pillar of solace and I found myself nodding.

Whatever had transpired in the past few weeks had drawn us closer and had made me feel safer to be in his arms.

"Okay then," Luciano said, as he pressed his lips grimly, and gave me an affirmative nod before making for the door. He briskly walked through the corridor, carrying me as though I weighed nothing and was not even paying attention to the nurse rambling so much behind him. His pace had lengthened, almost as if he was running or fast walking. My safety had become his priority, and that was enough for me to keep myself reassured.

The moment he got out of the hospital, the gentle breeze grazed my face and I inhaled the fresh air. It was nice to finally be outside, but Luciano didn't seem to be enjoying the atmosphere as he mumbled something in Italian. Almost like a cuss word.

His features hardened as his eyes darted around in urgency.

Just then, a black van pulled up in front of him. I observed that his features softened a bit. The door slid open and Luciano gently let me onto the seat before hopping in.

"Oh wow! Thank goodness. you are finally awake, Janie!" Romano's excited voice greeted me.

Just when I felt the need to reply, Luciano's voice filled the vehicle.

"Drive. Now!"

It was an immediate command that had the vehicle speeding off at once.

Lowering his eyes to me, he gently slid his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. He used his other hand to cup my face and then placed a kiss on my forehead.

Warmth crept into my stomach and I felt the memories of when I first made love to Luciano rushing in. Immediately, my stomach dipped, wanting to feel those tender caresses again. But the feeling did not last for long as I noticed two doctors in white gowns chasing after us.

Soon enough, they gave up, as they couldn't keep up. Luciano always knew how to exit. It was his superpower, but seeing those doctors who had chased after us somehow made me worry. Questions began to flood my mind, and I had to ask most of them.

"Why were they chasing after us? Didn't you sort the bills?" I managed to ask. My words came out almost as a whisper. Weakened by every activity that I had been pushed to participate in ever since I regained consciousness.

"It's been settled for more days than you can think of, but your safety would be compromised there," he answered.

"So why did we-"

"Not now, Janie," he cut into my sentence before I could complete it.

I felt a bit offended by his rude tone, but then again I reminded myself that Luciano had always been like this. Especially when he is pissed off about something.

Though I intended to tell him off about his tone, a part of me felt it was best I did that later, so I remained quiet.

The drive was silent. I laid my head on his chest as he wrapped me in his arms like a newborn baby. I was enjoying the slow and steady, rhythmic sound of his heartbeat, and his scent was also filling my nostrils. It somewhat felt satisfying and also comforted me in ways I couldn't understand. After a while of taking all of his goodness in, I started feeling drowsy. It was almost as though a wave of sleep had passed through me.

Feeling the urge to finally get some sleep, I squirmed, readjusting myself to Luciano in a proper manner.

All of a sudden there was a loud collision that had our vehicle jerking to a forceful stop and the drowsiness immediately cleared from my eyes.

Romano's voice rang out fearfully, "Oh fuck! We have been cornered. What are we going to do, Boss?"

My stomach dipped and my heart raced in fear. What had just happened? And who has us cornered?

I looked up at Luciano, but his face was grim, his eyes fixed on some point ahead. A muscle flexed in his jaw as he said back to Romano. "Once I get out, keep the van in shutdown mode. I need to hint these bastards on who they are messing with."