Chapter 124 EVERY INCH.
\~~~RAINA.
“What the fuck do you mean by discharge?!”
The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them. My eyes widened as I stared at the doctor, then at Luciano, then back at the doctor again, like one of them had suddenly started speaking another language.
Luciano leaned forward in his bed, looking way too casual for someone who'd just come out of surgery after getting shot. He was talking to the doctor like it was no big deal, insisting on processing his discharge right then and there.
“But, I am fine already. I just need to be home. Plus, you're with me yeah? You're going to look after me, ain't you?” Luciano said, shooting me that charming grin of his, the one that always made my stomach flip despite everything we'd been through.
I stood up so fast the chair scraped against the floor. Turning to the doctor, I planted my hand on my waist, staring him down. “Tell me, unbiasedly, is he prepared to leave for home now?”
The doctor hesitated, his eyes flicking to Luciano instead of answering me. That set me off. “I asked you a question, not him!” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to cut through the tension in the room.
“No, ma'am,” the doctor finally said, clearing his throat and avoiding my glare.
“Good, he's not getting discharged now,” I declared, turning back to Luciano. I yanked up his thin hospital blanket, tucking it around him firmly, like that would keep him from doing something stupid.
“Viktor, get my clothes,” he said instead.
Viktor, standing in the corner with his arms crossed, pressed his lips together in a thin line. “I think I'm with Madam on this.”
Gabriel, lounging against the wall, raised his hand like he was in class. “Me too.”
Luciano's face twisted in frustration. “It is late, I can't sleep here!” he snapped, his voice carrying that edge of command he always had, even when he was the one hooked up to machines.
Alessia, who'd been sitting quietly in the chair by the window, stood up with a sigh. “Well, that is a story for your wife to listen to, not us. Since you're okay, I'm going home. I should sleep in my bed.”
“You've got to be kidding me,” Luciano frowned, looking betrayed as his sister grabbed her purse.
“I will be here with him. You all can go home. You two need a lot of rest especially,” I said, glancing at Viktor and Gabriel.
They both looked exhausted, with shadows under their eyes from the chaos.
Alessia nodded, moving over to me. “I will get you some toiletries and have someone deliver them to you before I leave,” She leaned in and kissed my cheek, her touch warm and reassuring.
“Thank you, sis.”
“You're welcome. Bye, brother,” she said, waving at Luciano with a teasing smile before hurrying out of the room.
Viktor bowed rather urgently, like he couldn't get out fast enough, and rushed after her. Gabriel grinned, bowing dramatically. “I will deliver the toiletries before I leave.”
“I'm going to kill y'all,” Luciano grumbled, his frown deepening.
“By all means, boss,” Gabriel shot back with a wink, then slipped out, closing the door behind him.
Finally, the room was empty. Just me and Luciano, the beeps of the monitors were the only sound breaking the silence. He breathed out heavily and shook his head. “I can't function well in hospitals. Let's go home, baby.”
I closed the space between us, my heart pounding a little faster now that we were alone. Leaning over, I adjusted his pillow, fluffing it just right. “Well… I will consider discharging you tomorrow.”
“Why would you? I can discharge myself,” he protested, but there was a spark in his eyes, like he was enjoying the back-and-forth.
“I am your guardian now, and I will have you discharged whenever I see fit,” I smirked, feeling a rush of power in the moment. After all the fear and tears, it felt good to take control, even if it was just about keeping him safe a little longer.
A small smile played on Luciano's lips, and I prepared to pull away, straightening up. But nothing prepared me for the way he grabbed my wrist, his grip firm but gentle, and pulled me down onto the bed with him.
“We either spend the night this way, or I go home,” he groaned, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. His body was warm against mine, even through the thin gown, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest.
“Well, if it isn't perfect,” I murmured, snuggling closer despite myself. A soft moan escaped my lips as I settled against him, the familiarity of his scent, the faint cologne mixed with the hospital smell, washing over me.
“But, your wound!” I groaned, trying to push away a little, my hand hovering over his bandaged side. The last thing I wanted was to hurt him more.
“Who gives a fucking fuck?” he hissed, pulling me even closer, his hand splaying across my back.
I froze for a second, my mind racing. Part of me wanted to argue, to make sure he rested properly, but the other part craved this closeness.
We'd been through hell. God, the divorce, the fights, and the ambush that nearly took him from me. And now, here we were, piecing it back together in a hospital bed that creaked under our weight.
“You're impossible,” I whispered, but I didn't pull away. Instead, I let my head rest on his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat. It was strong, steady, and a reminder that he was alive.
Luciano chuckled low, the sound vibrating through me.
“And you are stubborn as hell, sunshine.’' His fingers traced lazy circles on my back, sending little shivers down my spine.
I snuggled closer to him, wanting to feel every inch and every part of him.
This man was alive, and now, he was mine.