Chapter 138: Too Good An Actor

ARYA’S POV

"Shh, baby, please. Please stop crying."

Dante's wails filled the small bedroom, piercing and desperate. I rocked him gently, pressing my hand to his forehead for the hundredth time in the past hour.

It was still burning hot.

"I know you don't feel good, sweet boy. I know." My voice cracked with exhaustion and fear. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how to help you."

He has been fussy all morning, but in the last few hours, it had escalated to inconsolable screaming. His tiny face was flushed red, his body radiating heat that terrified me.

This wasn't normal fussiness. Something was definitely wrong and I suspected it was high fever.

Another part of me suspected that it was because he was cooped up in this room with no fresh air or sunlight.

Another piercing wail broke through my train of thoughts and I jumped, gently bouncing him on my arm.

"Please, Dante.” I whispered, my heart tightening painfully. “Please, I don’t know what to do."

The lock on the door clicked, and  I immediately moved toward the wall, putting distance between myself and the entrance.

A week of being locked in this room had taught me to be wary of Marco's moods. I was already sporting a bruise just below my eyes from where he caught me talking to Ethan.

It resulted in him turning me into a punching bag and then seizing my phone.

He stepped inside, and I could see the irritation on his face before he even spoke.

"What the hell is all that noise?"

"He's sick." I held Dante protectively against my chest. "He has a fever. He won't stop crying because he's in pain.”

Marco scowled. "So make him stop."

"I'm trying!" Desperation made my voice sharp. "I've tried everything. He needs a doctor, Marco. Please.”

Marco rolled his eyes and I wondered how je could be so goddamn heartless. "He's fine. Babies cry. It's what they do."

"This isn't normal crying!" I moved closer despite my fear, letting him see Dante's flushed face. "Touch him and feel how hot he is. Something's wrong, Marco.”

Marco's expression flickered with something. Whether it was annoyance or concern, I couldn't tell.

With a begrudging sigh, he eached out and pressed his palm to Dante's forehead.

I watched the way his eyes widened slightly.

"How long has he been like this?" Marco demanded.

"Since this morning. It's getting worse." Tears threatened to spill over from my eyes. "Please, Marco. I'm begging you. Take us to the hospital or call a doctor to check on him.”

I moved closer, my entire body trembling despite myself. “Please, do something.”

He stared at Dante for a long moment, his jaw working.

"Get dressed," he said finally. "We're going to the hospital."

Relief flooded through me so intensely I nearly collapsed. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Hurry up." He moved toward the door. "Five minutes. If you're not ready, we're not going."

He left, locking the door behind him again.

I moved quickly, laying Dante carefully in his bassinet while I changed out of my pajamas into jeans and a sweater.

My hands shook as I dressed him in clean clothes, whispering encouragement the whole time.

"It's okay, baby. We're going to get you help.”

I leaned forward to press a kiss on his clammy forehead. “The doctor will make you feel better. Just hold on a little longer."

As if he understood, Dante's cries quieted to whimpers. His dark eyes found mine, so much like Giovanni's, and something in my chest ached.

"That's my brave boy." I kissed his hot forehead again. "You're doing so good."

I rushed to mirror to dab a little bit of concealer on the bruise underneath my left eye. When I was satisfied with it, I nodded and stepped back.

The lock clicked again. Marco stood in the doorway, car keys in hand.

"Ready?" He asked, his eyes trailing over me.

I nodded, arranging my hair. "Yes."

"Good." He stepped closer, his expression hard. "Don't try anything funny at the hospital. Don't talk to anyone you don't need to. Don't make a scene. Understand?"

The threat in his voice was clear.

"I just want Dante to get better," I said quietly. "That's all I care about."

"Then we won't have a problem." His hand shot out and gripped my arm. "Try to run, try to tell anyone what's happening, and I promise you'll regret it. We clear?"

Fear and anger warred in my chest. "Crystal clear."

"Good." He released me. "Let's go."

I wanted to snap back and tell him exactly where he could shove his threats. But Dante made a small, pained sound, and all my fight evaporated.

Getting my son medical care was all that mattered.

I followed Marco out of the room, through the apartment I had barely seen in a week, and down to the parking garage.

Once we were in the car, I sat in the back seat with Dante, nursing him to try to comfort him.

He latched weakly, his small body still radiating too much heat.

"Please be okay," I whispered. "Please, baby. Be strong."

I could feel Marco's eyes on me in the rearview mirror, but I ignored him. All my focus was on Dante, willing him to be alright and praying that whatever was wrong could be easily fixed.

The hospital came into view and I admired the large and modern building that looked expensive.

Of course Marco would choose the private hospital instead of the public one.

My eyes narrowed when I saw him shove a baseball cap on his head, adjusting it using the rearview mirror.

When his eyes found mine, I quickly looked away and adjusted Dante, tucking my breast into my bra and adjusting my top.

He parked and came around to open my door, his hand immediately going to my elbow as I climbed out with Dante.

"Remember what I said," he murmured. "Behave."

I nodded silently and followed his lead, making sure Dante was situated properly.

Inside, the reception area was pristine and quiet. Marco guided me to the desk, where a smiling receptionist looked up.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

"My wife and son need to see a pediatrician," Marco said smoothly, his hand moving to the small of my back. "Our baby has a fever."

Wife. The word made my skin crawl.

The receptionist nodded and typed on her computer, her eyes narrowed in focus. "Of course. Let me get some information from you."

Marco rattled off a fake name for me and provided what I assumed was fabricated insurance information.

The receptionist typed everything in, completely oblivious to the fact that I was being held there against my will.

She bobbed her head and looked up, then shot me a quick grin. "Dr. Lombardi can see you now. Just go to the third floor, you’ll find the pediatric wing there

"Thank you." Marco pressed a kiss to my temple, and I had to suppress a shudder. “Let’s go, darling.”

I sucked in another patient breath, curling my fingers into a tight fist.