CHAPTER 162

CHAPTER 162
Celine 

The next morning, the intubator and IV lines were removed from his mouth and hand, and Antonio was moved to a private ward.

He was this close to having a life-threatening bacterial infection in the place the rebar had been pulled out from, but thanks to his strong immune system, he was making recovery, while I was admitted into the room right next to his on Matteo's instructions, even though I'd insisted I just wanted my injuries to be treated without having to be hospitalised, so that I could stay by his bedside.

As for the Luna Nera brothers, they left a few hours ago, after each getting tetanus shots and dressings for their open wounds and burns. But that was before Matteo made sure I ran all the necessary tests, including scans, and X-rays, to rule out any slightest possibility of internal bleeding, or infections.

Even though the doctor had said there was nothing to worry about, I still had to stay back in the ward, at least until my stomach wasn't sore anymore.

The most important thing was that Antonio was out of danger. And now I could finally lay my head on the bed and catch some sleep after staying up all night in my oversized hospital gown, just watching the IV fluids connected to the lines stuck in my hand dropping slowly.

I adjusted the pillow propping my bangadged ankle up, then shut my eyes, ignoring the stench of the antiseptic used in disinfecting and treating my head injury, as well as the cuts and bruises on my face.

Moments later, I heard a knock on the door, and my eyes swung open in time to see Janice and Serena walking in.

“Mamma!” Serena called out with a big smile, breaking free from Janice's grip and running towards me.

“Easy,” I let out a soft chuckle as I quickly sat up from the bed, engulfing her in a warm embrace. 

“Are you and papa okay?” she asked, slowly pulling away from me. 

I shook my head, smiling. “He's going to be fine. You don't have to worry.”

“Can we go see him?” she asked.

“Of course, baby,” I replied, carefully sliding my feet into my flip flops on the floor. Then I rose from the bed, and we headed for the door.

We reached the entrance of Antonio’s room and I opened the door and we both stepped in, halting by his bedside.

His eyes were tightly shut, a bandage wrapped over his head.

“When is papa going to wake up?” Serena whispered, looking up at me with a sad pout.

“Soon baby.”

“How soon.”

“I don't know,” I said softly. “Maybe you should try giving him a kiss on the cheek,” I flashed her a teasing grin, trying to cheer her up. “Who knows. He might just wake up.” 

Her eyes lit up instantly, her excited giggle making me chuckle. 

“I think two kisses will do the trick,” she said. “Should we do it together?” 

“That's a brilliant idea,” I answered playfully, my smile lingering on.

I turned to the other side of the bed and we leaned forward and gave him a kiss on each cheek, my eyes widening slightly as he let out a soft chuckle.

Serena and I pulled back immediately, and my gaze locked with Antonio's, a weak smile lighting up his eyes.

“When did…?” I paused. “Have you been awake this whole time?”

He chuckled again, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Well, kind of. I just couldn't miss out on the kisses from my two favourite people, so I had to keep my eyes closed for a bit longer.”

Serena chuckled under her breath while I shook my head, an amused smile tugging at my lips 

“You must be completely fine seeing that you’re back to your mischievous self,” I said jokingly, and he laughed, taking my hand and kissing it.

He still looked a little pale and his lips were chapped, but he was awake, and that was all that mattered.

“Does your head hurt, papa?” Serena asked.

“No, my little princess,” he replied with a smile, caressing her cheek. “Your papa's really strong.” Then he faced me, arching his brows. “Don't you agree?”

I rolled my eyes goodnaturedly, tapping on the bridge of his nose. “No doubt.”

He smiled, a knock coming on the door.

The Luna Nera brothers flooded in, with Matteo and Pedro in the lead, all 9 of them coming to a uniform halt a few feet away from his bedside.

“I was just about asking about you guys,” Antonio said, my hands moving behind him to adjust the pillows as he sat up from the bed. “Are you all doing okay?”

They all nodded, a soft smile framing their faces.

“Good to see you alive,” Matteo teased with a smile, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze, and Antonio chuckled.

“Any news on Marco?” he asked and I quickly gave him an eye signal, hinting that Serena was still here.

“How about you and I go out for some ice-cream, Serena?” One of the Luna Nera brothers chimed in, extending his hand to her.

She nodded excitedly, taking his hand, and they exited the room.

“We retrieved his body from the car,” Pedro responded. “The fucking son of a bitch is probably burning in hell by now.”

I blinked rapidly, instant relief filling my chest.

I feared Marco's death would end up being an illusion, but it wasn't. 

He was really gone, and I couldn't be happier.

“As for Armando's body,” Matteo chimed in. “We took care of that already. On record, he's a fugitive who was shot by the cops while on the run.”

“We've also moved Leo and Alessandro's bodies to a funeral home,” Pedro added. “We checked the footage from the dash cam of a car parked outside the hotel. Turns out it was Armando who killed Alessandro. He ambushed him from a hidden corner, shooting him twice on the forehead before he could retaliate.”

A dark silence fell over the room, sadness over the losses of their brothers, settling on their faces.

“You all did well,” Antonio said softly, breaking the stillness. “Leo and Alessandro will be buried in grand style. They deserve nothing less.”

They all nodded, exiting the ward.

“Hey,” Antonio said as he pulled me close, caressing my back as he made me sit on his lap. “I'm so proud of you for taking him out.”

“I guess I learned from the best,” I teased, and we broke into soft laughter.

“Do you regret it?” he asked once it'd faded, concern flickering in his eyes. 

“I don't,” I answered without hesitation, the smile on my lips proving that I meant it.

I never thought I'd end up killing either of them, but I didn't regret taking out the hurdles in our lives. 

If the hands of time could be taken back, I'd still make the same choice without batting an eye.

He smiled and planted a kiss on my lips, a smile lingering on my lips as he pulled away.

I threw my arms over his neck and hugged him, our excited chuckles filling the air.

The storm was finally over, and this was undoubtedly the start of a new dawn, and I had a feeling that it was going to bring good things along with it.