BIANCA
Iawoke with a groan, feeling stiff. I’d been in and out of it for what felt like forever.
I pried my eyes open and gazed up at a familiar ceiling.
The safe house in the woods.
I jerked up in bed, immediately regretting it as my head pounded.
“Shit,” I hissed, wincing as I gripped my head.
It felt like a marching band was banging against my skull. I sat for a moment, trying to get my bearings about me. When the ache died down a bit, I shifted and placed my feet on the cool polished floor and stood, my body trembling.
Slowly, I made my way to the bathroom and did my business. Then I studied myself in the mirror. The side of my face was an ugly shade of purple, and stitches ran along my hairline. I touched it gingerly and whimpered. It was swollen, and my eye wasn’t opening all the way.
I backed away, cringing.
I needed to get downstairs. I had to see Levin and my kings. And Fallon. I sent up a silent prayer he was still here, and that I wouldn’t get bad news about Levin.
My stomach roiled with worry as I stood at the top of the landing. A wave of dizziness washed over me, making me feel weak.
“D-Dominic?” I called out, knowing I couldn’t get down the stairs safely with my head spinning. “Vinny? Fallon?” I winced again, calling out to them making my head pound.
I was just about to drop to my butt and attempt to slide down the stairs when Vincent appeared at the bottom. He shot up to me, taking the stairs two at a time.
“Hey, baby B,” he greeted me gently when he got to me. He took my hand and led me away from the stairs. “I wasn’t expecting you to be up so soon. I thought you’d sleep a few more hours.”
“Where’s Levin? Is he OK?”
“He’s out cold. He needs the rest. I’m sure he’ll be waking up soon too. Doc has him on some meds to keep him comfortable.”
“But he’s OK, right?”
We’d reached the bedroom. He ushered me inside and sat me on the bed.
“He is. Doc said he just needs to rest and regain his strength. He lost a lot of blood.”
My throat tightened at the memory of it, but as long as he was still breathing, I could handle that.
“Where’s Dominic?”
“He’s, uh, dealing with something right now—him and Fallon.”
I nodded tightly, relieved both were OK. I reached for Vincent. He took my hand and sat down beside me.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked gently.
“I’m tired and hungry. I need a bath. I feel gross,” I said softly.
“I’ll run you a bath.” He kissed my forehead. “And I’ll get you something to eat.” He got up and went to the bathroom to run water in the tub.
He returned a few moments later and helped me to it, peeling my red nightie off me gently, his fingers gently brushing against my skin. Goosebumps flitted over my flesh as I looked up at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said in a soft voice. “For everything that’s happened.” He cradled my face.
I nodded silently, tears biting my eyes.
“Listen,” he continued gently. “All the shit that went down in Matteo’s office, you know Dom did it for you, right? He doesn’t feel anything for Natalia other than he made a promise to not let her die. He was stuck in a really shitty position. I told Fallon what happened with Dom and Natalia. He was upset but understood the reasoning.”
I said nothing for a moment, hating it was even something he had to tell someone about. Another tear slipped down my cheek.
“I know. I’m not mad because he did it. I’m upset because he had to. His father is a monster. I-I hate him. I wish he were dead. Tell me Dominic killed him.”
“I wish I could say that. Dominic busted him up pretty good. I think it’s safe to say he’s on the outs with his old man, so that leaves us in a bit of an ugly spot.”
My stomach fell. “What now?”
“Let’s get you in the bath and get some food in you, OK? We’ll talk about everything else in a bit. You’ve been in and out of it for the last day and a half. Dominic hasn’t left your side since he got here. But then he had no choice when word came in about the horsemen.”
“The drug guys?”
Vincent brushed my hair away from my face. “M-hm.”
“Is it bad?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Bath. Food. Rest. In that order. Come on.”
I knew he shut down, so I let him help me into the tub. I sank beneath the warm bubbles and let out a sigh of relief.
“Can I see Levin? After?”
“You're going to eat and rest. Levin is slumped, baby. When he wakes and you’re feeling better, then yes. You can see him.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead and left the room, leaving no room for argument.
Sighing, I rested my head against the back of the massive tub and closed my eyes, worry creeping through me.
It seemed like things had gone from bad to worse.
Wasn’t that the story of our lives?