Chapter 52

**Raffaela…**

“What? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I saw his name along with Aldo’s name on a piece of paper; now tell me where he is.”

“He is at the warehouse. I told him to stay there because we have another huge shipment coming in.” He replied.

“Fuck, does he know I'm awake?”

“No. I haven't told anyone yet. When Annika called me, I was on my way over there. I called Chiara. I told her to stay at the warehouse to make sure everything goes smoothly.”

“Good. He won't know ejats coming to him,” I smirked.

“Do you want me to handle him?” He asked.

“No, that fucker is mine. I have plans to make sure he will never betray me again.”

“Alright but you can do that once the doctor clears you. You have to stop risking your life.”

“Flavio, the day dad handed me the mafia, I knew what it meant. I have to protect my family and my men. I know I do stupid things sometimes but I have to think of everyone around me.” It was true. Our father always told me that I can't lay down because of the wrong decisions I make. I have to get back up again and take my problems on with both hands.

“I know but you have to realize that you have a family that needs you. Do you think it's easy for the children to see you like this?” He asked.

I was just about to answer him when the door opened. “Don,” the doctor greets me as she walks closer to me.

She shook her head when she noticed what I had done. “Don, you can't just pull these things out.” She scolds.

“I told him but he won't listen. He is a stubborn bastard. He wanted me to help him take his cast off,” Flavio told the doctor and I glared at him.

“What are you still doing here? Don't you have work to do?” I asked.

“No, the only work I have is to make sure you don't act like an idiot.”

“I think you should go now.” I demanded.

“Fine,” he replied, then looked at the doctor.

“Give him something to make him sleep again.” He walked out of my room.

The doctor chuckled as she put my IV back in. “I want you to take my cast off,” I told her.

“I'm sorry, Don. But I can't do that. We need to keep it on for two weeks longer.”

“No, I don't. I want you to take the cast off my leg. I don't care what you say. I can't walk with that thing on my leg.” I glared at her.

“Do, I understand but we need your leg to heal. Now lay back down. I will check up on you later.”

She left my room and I could only watch as she left without doing what I said.

“I can't believe you threatened the doctor.” Annika said as she helped me walk back to my bed.

“I had to. She wouldn't listen to me. Besides, my legs are fine," I said as I sat on the bed, pulling her on my lap.

“Raffaela,” she protested but I held her tighter.

“What?” I asked.

“I can't sit on your lap. What if I hurt you?” She asked.

“You won't. I promise.” I smiled and put my hands on her cheeks before I pulled her face closer to mine. I put my lips on hers and started kissing her. I deepened the kiss as I slid my tongue inside her mouth.

Her arms wrapped around my neck as she let out a moan. I pulled her down with me without breaking the kiss. I missed this. I missed holding her and kissing her sweet lips.

Annika pulled away, breathing heavily. “We need to stop,“ she whispered. But I didn't want to. I needed her. I wanted to show her how much I missed her. I listened to everything they had said during these four weeks and I couldn't do anything to assure her that I was going to be alright. I could only listen to her pleas and cry.

"No, we don't.” I say this as I kiss her jawline.

"Yes, we do. Your body needs to recover. Your arm is still in a cast. You have bruises all over your body.” She said this as she pushed herself off me.

“I know but all of that is already healed.”

She shook her head and said, “Stop being stubborn. Do you know what it felt like to see you like that when they brought you here that night? Do you have any idea how I felt seeing you for the past four weeks?” She asked as a tear slid down her cheeks.

“I am sorry. I know it must have been hard on you. But I promise you, I am fine now.” I assured her and wiped her tears.

“Promise?” she asked again.

“I promise, babe. I'm almost as good as new.” I pulled her back onto my lap and held her in my arms.

She laid her head on my chest while I played with her hair. “You mentioned something about a rat earlier. What did you mean?” I hear her ask.

“I will tell you all about it later. Let's just lay like this for a while.”

I didn't want to ruin our moment together by talking about that fucker.

“Alright.”

I don't know how long we stayed like this but she eventually fell asleep on my chest.

The door opened, revealing my sister. Once she saw Annika sleeping on my chest, she smiled.

“I heard you were awake.” She whispered as soon as she was by my side.

“Yes, about time as well.”

“I'm glad you're still here with us. She has barely slept these past few weeks. She was by your side day and night.”

A smile appeared on my face when I heard her say that. I'm glad I have someone like Annika in my life.