CHAPTER 73 - Kiss Me

IVORY’S POV

Luca doesn’t pick up my call, and I wonder what he’s up to. Some might call me crazy for still caring about him after his father’s attempt on my life. But I strongly believe a son shouldn’t suffer for his father’s sins, just as I shouldn’t have to suffer for my father’s mistakes. Yet here I am, living every day of my life in fear. Still, I’m grateful I have people to protect me—Bryant, Chase, Michael, Luca, and even my bodyguards, Baron and Victor.

After the doctors finish checking Bryant and assuring us that he’s okay, we gather around him again.

My lips curl into a smile as I stare down at him. “Up and alive.”

“I never knew you cared about me this much,” he says faintly, a small smile touching his lips. “You were crying a lot. Were you really that scared of losing me?”

“I was told what happened. Don’t do something that reckless again.” I frown, sitting beside him.

“Protecting you isn’t reckless, and I won’t hesitate to do it again.” He manages to lift his arm, placing his hand on my cheek. “For you, Ivory Hastings, I would do anything.”

Knowing it’s pointless to argue with him, I lean in and hug him carefully. “I’m just glad you’re awake.”

He gently caresses the nape of my neck. “I’m glad too.”

Straightening, I examine his injuries; the bandages and bruises are terrifying. “How do you feel? Are you in pain?”

It’s a stupid question—of course he’s in pain; he was shot. But he just smiles, his eyes focused on me. “Stop worrying, Ivory. I’ll be fine.”

Sighing, I nod.

My phone starts ringing, and I look down to see it’s Luca calling me back. I ignore it, not wanting to answer it in front of Bryant.

“Who is it?” Bryant asks, watching me closely.

“No one important,” I can’t believe I just said that.

A muscle in his jaw tightens. “Is it the lawyer?”

“Are you hungry?” I ask, quickly trying to change the subject.

“It’s him, isn’t it?” he deduces. His expression turns serious as he looks at me intently. “Do you like him?”

“What?!” I exclaim, taken aback. But I don’t deny it.

Luca’s call comes through again, and once again, I ignore it.

Bryant’s eyes drop to my buzzing phone. “There’s something I need to tell you about him. But not right now.”

“What?” I ask. “If it’s about his father, I already know. Chase told me Roberto Ferrari sent those men to kill me.”

“You need to stay away from him. He might be dangerous, too,” he warns.

“Luca’s not like his father,” I reply quickly, defending him.

I want to tell Bryant what I recently learned—that Roberto Ferrari was the one who killed my father—but I don’t want to worry him more.

“You can’t trust anyone,” he says. “No one is to be trusted.”

I trust this one, though. I trust him to protect me and never harm me. But I don’t tell him that. I just nod and try to change the subject. “Let’s drop this for now. We can discuss it later. You just woke up, so let’s focus on the positives.”

“So, what do you want to talk about, beautiful?” A weak smile curls on his lips.

“Did you miss me? Because I missed you so much,” I admit softly.

“Every day, Ivory. Every day.”

“But you never call.” I challenge him. “I was hurt, thinking you’d abandoned me.”

He frowns. “You know I’d never abandon you.”

“But you did,” I counter.

He sighs. “Let’s focus on the positive—you said that yourself. Let’s not argue about this. We can discuss it later.”

I roll my eyes. “Avoiding the topic, are you?”

“Kiss me. Please,” he suddenly says, catching me off guard.

“What?”

“Please.” He glances over at Chase and Michael, who are still in the room. “Excuse us.”

“No way. I’m the moral police here, and not on my watch will you two be up to anything sinful,” Chase jokes.

“Oh, get lost,” Bryant chuckles.

Chuckling, Chase and Michael turn around and step out of the room.

Bryant tries to sit up, but he winces in pain and sinks back down. He tries again, and I quickly place my hands on his shoulders, gently forcing him to stay put. “You’re not strong enough. Don’t push it.”

“I’m used to pain, and—” He tries to brush me off, but I cut him off.

“I insist.”

Leaning in, I press a gentle kiss to his lips and straighten back up.

“Is that it? I haven’t seen you in a long time,” he mutters. “I want a real kiss—I want to feel your tongue on mine. And maybe your mouth around…” His voice trails, smiling mischievously.

“What?!” I exclaim, chuckling. “You’re unbelievable! You just woke up, and that’s what’s on your mind?”

“That’s what’s always on my mind,” he laughs softly.

“Sorry, mister,” I say, grinning widely. “But you’re not getting that. I’m afraid the pleasure might be so overwhelming you’d slip back into a coma.”

He laughs weakly, resting his head against the pillow. “If that’s what sends me back into a coma, I don’t mind.”

Luca’s call comes in again, and I feel a slight worry at his persistence, wondering if it’s an emergency.

“You should answer,” Bryant says.

Blowing out a sharp breath, I stand up and step away from Bryant. Answering the call, I press the phone to my ear.

“Are you still at the hospital?” Luca asks, his voice filled with urgency.

“Yes. What’s wrong?”

“I’m coming to get you,” He groans from the other end of the line.

“Why?” I ask, perplexed.

“I need to take you somewhere safe.”

My stomach tightens. “What’s going on?”

The door suddenly creaks open, and Luca barges in. Chase and Michael slip in right after him and try to put him away, but I quickly stop them.

“Chase, Michael, please,” I say, glancing between them.

Seeing the hesitation in their eyes, I plead again. “Please.”

They hesitate, but when they see the seriousness in my eyes, they reluctantly let go of him.

I move closer to Luca. “Why do you need to take me somewhere safe? Is your father coming after me again?”

He shakes his head, sighing. “Not my father. The Borgias.”

I remember Roberto mentioning my father’s dealings with the Borgias. “Why do they want me?”

“Your father created a lot more trouble than you could imagine,” he sighs, raking a hand through his hair in frustration.

“What is it, Luca? Tell me,” I urge, impatience gnawing at me.

He sighs deeply. “Your father signed a contract with them, and part of that deal was for you to marry Lorenzo Borgia. They’re coming for you, Ivory.”

I blink repeatedly, trying to process what he’s saying. It doesn’t even make sense.

“No one is taking her away from me!” Bryant suddenly growls. I turn to see him standing, his gaze fiercely locked on Luca. “Not even you.”