Chapter 123 A MOMENT.
\~~~LUCIANO
I patted Raina's back gently as she sobbed into my chest, her body shaking with the force of her tears. The warmth of her against me felt like coming home after a long, dark storm. My side ached from the bullet wound, but holding her made it fade to nothing. She clung so tight, like she'd never let go, and damn if that didn't make my heart swell.
I'd heard every word of her confession while I lay there pretending to be out cold. Every raw, and beautiful syllable.
God, Raina loved me.
Not just tolerated or pitied, she loved me with that fierce, and undoing fire she described. It was like the world had righted itself in an instant.
The door creaked open then, and Alessia rushed in, her face pale and eyes wide. She froze for a second, taking in the scene, relief crashing over her features.
“Thank God, Alessia, will you comfort her, please?’' I groaned, my voice still rough from disuse.
My arms were getting tired, and the IV tugged at my skin with every shift.
“Rafael!’' Alessia exclaimed, crossing the room in quick strides to where I lay. She looked me over, her gaze lingering on the bandages peeking from under my hospital gown.
I nodded with a faint smile, watching as she reached us. Gently, she pulled Raina back, her hands soft on my wife's shoulders.
Raina resisted at first, her fingers digging into my shirt, but she let go with a sniffle.
“Oh my God, sorry, your wound!” Panic flashed through Raina's eyes as she realized how hard she'd been hugging me. She hovered there, her hands fluttering like she wanted to touch but was afraid to hurt.
“I'm okay, sunshine,’' I said, keeping my tone light. Seeing her worry twisted something in my gut, but I pushed it down. She'd been through enough.
She looked at me, those big eyes shiny with unshed tears. She sniffed them back, trying to be strong.
“Not again.”
“I am sorry,” she whispered, and just like that, she broke into tears again, her voice cracking.
“I thought you were going to…”
“Die?” I finished when she hesitated, the word hanging heavy between us.
“It will take just more than a shot to kill me, baby,’' I held her gaze, letting her see the truth in it. I wasn't going anywhere. Not now, not after what she'd said.
I'd heard it all. Her guilt, her fear, and the way she burned for me. It replayed in my head like a lifeline. Raina, loving me? That was a dream I never dared to chase, especially after the divorce mess. But here she was, baring her soul, and it put me on top of the world. No pain, no war, could touch that high.
“Where is Vik…” I started to ask, but the door swung open again, cutting me off. Gabriel burst in, Viktor trailing behind him like a shadow. Both looked beat to hell of bruises, and bandages, but alive.
“He is awake!” Gabriel exclaimed, a grin splitting his face. He stopped by my bedside, bowing his head quickly and respectfully. “Welcome back, boss.”
I nodded, acknowledging him, then turned my eyes to Viktor. He stood frozen by the door, his face a mask of guilt, and his arms crossed tight like he was holding himself together.
“Will someone get that guilt-ridden asshole over here?’' I asked, and the room filled with murmurs. Raina stifled a laugh through her tears, and Alessia shot me a look.
Viktor took a few steps closer, then bowed so deep I thought he'd topple over. “I am sorry. Your life was in jeopardy because of me and I…”
“Tell me Volkov is dead,” I cut him short, my voice firm.
“You only need to get better soon to see his body,” Viktor replied, his face straight.
I smirked, satisfaction settling in my chest.
“Are you seriously going to talk about a dead person right after you wake up?” Raina frowned at me, but her eyes softened.
I smiled back, soft and just for her. “Tell me a better time, baby.”
“I should get the doctor to check up on you again,” Alessia said, already turning toward the door, her practical side kicking in.
“I will take Viktor to get checked up on again,” Gabriel announced, grabbing Viktor's arm before he could protest.
“I’ve been checked out. I don’t need…” Viktor started, pulling back.
“Just shut up and follow me!” Gabriel hissed, yanking him along.
“No, I should stay with…”
“What a clueless asshole,” Gabriel cussed under his breath, dragging Viktor out the door despite his grumbles.
The room fell quiet for a beat, just me, and Raina.
“That was because of us, no?” Raina raised a brow, staring at the empty doorway where they'd all vanished.
“I bet,” I agreed, chuckling low.
She laughed softly then, a real one that lit up her face, and swept her hair back behind her ear. God, how I'd missed that. This face, this smile, and this voice was all I'd thought about in the haze of pain and surgery. Even in the ambush chaos, with bullets flying and blood everywhere, she'd been the anchor in my mind.
“What?” She flushed under my stare, her cheeks pink as she noticed.
“I could die peacefully now, trust me,’' I said, meaning every word. Having her here, after everything, was worth every scar.
“Hey!” She slapped my arm lightly, playful but careful.
“Ouch!” I faked a wince, milking it for the reaction.
“No, no, sorry!” She panicked again, her hand hovering over my chest, eyes wide with worry.
“You're so dramatic,” I smiled, catching her hand and holding it against me. Her touch sent warmth spreading through the cold ache of recovery.
“And I hate you,” she muttered, but there was no heat in it.
“What do you mean? You just said you loved me. Why are you being two-faced, baby?”
“Oh, stop it!” She exclaimed, palming her face to hide the blush, but I saw the smile peeking through her fingers.
I laughed, the sound rusty but real, pulling her hand down so I could see her eyes. “Come on, sunshine. No more running. You laid it all out there while I was "out." Might as well own it.”
She bit her lip, glancing away, but then met my gaze, vulnerability raw. “I meant every word. But after the divorce, the fights… I didn't think you'd want to hear it.”
“Want to hear it? Baby, I've been waiting for it since the day you walked out that door.” My voice dropped, serious now. The monitors beeped steady behind me, a reminder of how close I'd come to losing this chance.
Tears welled up again, but she blinked them back, squeezing my hand. “I was so scared. When Gabriel came with the news, I thought…”
“I know. But I am here. We are here,’' I tugged her closer, ignoring the twinge in my side.
She nodded, leaning her forehead against mine, our breaths mingling. The room felt smaller, and warmer like the chaos outside couldn't touch us.
For this moment, it was enough to feel her heartbeat against mine.