He tilted his head at the small bed and studied it adorably. I tried to laugh but winced again and slowly slid over to the left side of the bed, making very little room for him. He climbed in next to me and lay on his side, pulling me into his chest. His lips grazed my forehead as he ran his fingers up and down my arm.
“Marcus?” I whispered as I snuggled into his chest.
“Yeah?” He asked in a soft, content tone.
“I love you.”
He pulled me in a tighter. “I love you too. More than you’ll ever know.”
“Is it over?”
Not answering me, he lifted my chin for my eyes to meet his. His eyes scanned my face until they landed on my lips. Gently, he pressed his lips against mine and then laid my head back against his chest.
I held back my tears. I wanted this to be over with, to finally start fresh again in our relationship, but he wouldn’t clarify, and I was left again wondering what else could be holding us back. I was too weak to question him; with heavy eyes, I shut my lids and fell asleep in his arms.
***
It’d been a week since I’d been trapped in this hellhole, and I wanted out. I was feeling great, but the doctor said I couldn’t be released until sometime next week. Marcus had been out running a few errands, and Megan had stopped by to spend time with me. My hospital room was filled with balloons, flowers, and get well cards.
My mother, grandparents, and Jeremy had visited almost daily. On the first day of their visit, they all asked questions about what had happened. I told them that whatever Marcus told them was what had happened. They were a bit suspicious about it all but didn’t continue to push the issue. I believe Jeremy must have put it all together, but when I told him to drop it, he did. The TV was the last thing I wanted to watch as every news channel discussed the bust. Some, as expected, over-exaggerated the events; others were dishing out new conspiracy theories. Only a few got it right.
Lou Sorrento was dead, and so were a few of his men. Gio Sorrento was shot in the arm and leg. After receiving medical attention, he was placed in custody and would be awaiting trial. The other mob leader from New York, Salvatore Lombardi, was arrested along with a few of his men. Others were either injured or dead. A few of the FBI agents were killed in the line of duty. An awards ceremony would be held for them in a couple of weeks.
It all felt unreal. The entire situation played like a movie. I wouldn’t have thought that it could actually happen in real life, but it did, and it happened to me.
Marcus had said that he had walked away from his former life completely, but I had to wonder how true that was. Just because Lou was gone didn’t mean someone else couldn’t take his place. The mob just doesn’t disappear. They rebuild their family and continue to go on. There couldn’t possibly be any happily-ever-afters when a person gets immersed in that lifestyle. Or could there be?
“I brought a brush with me.” Megan sang as she danced her way over to my bed.
“No. Get away from me. You’re not touching my hair.” I swatted her hands away.
She dropped her hands to her hips and gave me a hard stare, “Mia, your hair is a tangled mess. We need to get it under control.”
Blowing out a deep breath as a way of caving in, I scooted toward the front of the bed so that she could kneel behind me. “Fine.”
Megan began brushing my hair, “So, where’s Marcus?”
“I sent him home.”
“How did you manage that? He hasn’t left your side since day one.”
“I threatened him that if he didn’t go home and take a shower I was never going to kiss or sleep with him again.”
She let out a giggle. “That worked?”
“If you knew Marcus, you would know that sex is the best way to bribe him.”
“You’re mean.”
“Yeah, I know, but I also wanted him to go out and get some air. Staying in a hospital for several days isn’t exactly a spa getaway.”
“Like a massage spa getaway?”
We burst out laughing, and I winced as I felt a pain shoot through the side of my rib.
“See. You’re not one-hundred percent yet. You can’t go home.”
“I hate being in here.”
“It’s a hospital, honey. Everyone does.”
She continued to stroke my hair with the brush, and I hated to admit it, but it felt great. Once she was satisfied with the final result, she pulled back to inspect her doing. “Well, it’s not exactly how I pictured it, but it’ll do until you can wash it.”
“Wow, you’re such a great friend.”
“I’m honest.”
Marcus came through the doors with a huge flower arrangement and a smile. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Awww!” Megan squealed.
“Marcus, you do not have to bring flowers every single day. What am I going to do with all of these?” I spread my arms around the room.
He shrugged as he found a spot by the corner window seal and set the vase down. “Get used to it.”
My lips curled into a crooked smile. “Are you going to buy me flowers every day for the rest of our lives?”
“Yes, I am. Every single day.” Playfully, I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled. “I can see your attitude is back. That should be a great sign that you’ll be home early.”
“Actually, the doctor said that I won’t go home until sometime next week.” I crossed my arms across my chest with a huff and leaned back into the bed. The mattress was adjusted into an upright position so that I could sit up and not lie down on it.
“Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to be at work in a few hours. I’ll stop by tomorrow.” Megan leaned in and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you for stopping by, Megan, and for doing my hair.” Marcus bunched his brows together as he tilted his head and stared at my head. I guess there wasn’t much of a difference.
“Anytime! Maybe tomorrow I can do your makeup.” Her smile was so enthusiastic I couldn’t help but nod in response. How could you turn down someone who only wanted to help?
Just like that, with a single wave of her hand, she was gone and out the door.
“What are the plans for today?” I turned my head to Marcus.
“Well, there’s the lovely game of Scrabble again.” He reached for the game that lay on the table beside the bed. “Or crossword puzzles.” He waved the book with a huge grin and a mocking brow wiggle. “And then there’s the fine game of Go Fish ’cause you don’t know any other card games.” He sat in the chair beside me.