“I’ll be right there,” I assured her.
“Theo,” she rasped.
“I’ll call Mrs. Scott. I’ll tell her you’re okay, and she’ll stay with Theo. Everything is all right, Tesoro.”
She tried to talk, the words “sorry” and “forgive” tumbling out between sobs. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to her forehead. “I’m right here,” I repeated. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her gaze stayed locked on mine until the very last second. I stayed behind only long enough to make a call to Mrs. Scott, then to Brett.
Lara caught me before I stepped into the truck to follow the ambulance.
“She went back in,” she said. “Gus was at the back of the kitchen. She went back to get him, and she dragged him out. She got hit on the head with a falling piece of wood.” She shook her head. “She saved him.”
Gabby risked herself.
Part of me was furious she would have risked her own life, yet I was so proud of her, my chest felt tight. Lara smiled and returned to Ziggy’s side, snaking her arm around his waist. I hoped this close call would end the games they played.
Jeff came over to Lara. “How many people were inside?”
“Ten. Six staff and four customers.”
His shoulders dropped in relief. “Then everyone is accounted for.”
I was glad, but the only one I really cared about was on her way to the hospital. I had to get there.
Once I was at the hospital, I checked on Gus and found out he was doing fine. Everyone else was being treated and not in serious condition. Gabby had inhaled a lot of smoke, burned her hands, and had a bad cut on her head from the wood. The doctor told me it could have been much worse.
“If it was one of the rafters that came down, she’s lucky,” he informed me. “It must have glanced off something else before it hit her.” He shook his head. “If it hadn’t…” He let his voice trail off.
The thought made me want to throw up.
“When can I see her?”
“Soon. Let us finish examining her.”
“Tell her I’m here.”
He smiled. “She already knows. As soon as she heard your voice in the hall, she relaxed.” He clapped me on the shoulder and walked away.
Despite his reassurances, I couldn’t relax. I needed to see her for myself. To hold her. I had to admit I was apprehensive. She had told me I smothered her. She wanted nothing to do with me. Had her jumbled apologies been a reaction to what had occurred, or did she really want me around?
Until I knew, I couldn’t calm down. Pacing was the only option.
Maxx smiled in understanding, not trying to stop me. Brett offered quiet words of support, then went to get everyone coffee.
Charly fell into step with me, linking her small hand with mine.
“She’s going to be fine.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
She smiled at me, tilting her head back to meet my gaze. “I know you will. And everything that happened between you on the weekend will be in the past.”
I stopped, looking down at her. “How do you know that?”
“Because I saw how she looked at you, Stefano. It’s the same way I look at Maxx. The same way you look at her.” She worried her bottom lip. “I saw her yesterday, and I have never seen such heartbreak in someone’s eyes. Whatever her reasons for doing what she did or said, it killed her to do so.”
“What if she tells me to go?”
“I hope she doesn’t. If she does, give her time if you can.”
“I’ll give her anything she wants as long as she’s in my life.”
Charly tilted her head. “Mary once told me to be patient with Maxx. You need the same thing for Gabby.”
Before I could respond, my name was called, and I hurried to the nurse who was waiting.
“You can see her now.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Stefano
Gabby’s eyes were shut as I slipped behind the curtain. She was pale, the streaks of soot on her arms and cheeks standing out like stains on her skin. There was a thick bandage on her forehead, the bruised skin showing under the edges. I could see the evidence of tears on her cheeks. Cannulas pumped oxygen into her nose. She gripped the thin sheet, her knuckles white, showing her distress. I approached the bed, laying my hand over hers.
“Tesoro,” I murmured.
Her eyes flew open, fresh tears pouring from them. She reached for me at the same time I bent to pull her into my arms. I held her tight.
“I’m here, Gabby. Right here.”
“I’m sorry,” she rasped, her voice thick and rough-sounding. “Stefano, I’m so sorry.”
“Shh,” I soothed. “We can talk about that later.”
“I didn’t mean it… I didn’t want to… I was scared…” she sobbed, coughing at the same time.
I stroked her hair, comforting her. “It’s okay, Tesoro. It’s okay. No talking. Rest your voice.”