Chapter 72 Seventy Two

Chapter 72 Seventy Two
The drive back to the mansion felt unbearably long.

Rain continued falling against the windows, the soft rhythm filling the silence inside the car.

Nobody spoke.

Antonio gripped the steering wheel tighter than usual, weaving through the empty streets far above the speed limit. Every few seconds, his eyes flickered to the rearview mirror.

Salvatore sat with his head resting against the leather seat, his breathing noticeably heavier now.

Mira kept both hands pressed firmly against his shoulder.

Warm blood continued soaking through the expensive fabric of his tuxedo and onto her palms.

It refused to stop.

She swallowed hard. “Salvatore.”  Mira whispered 

He hummed softly in response.

“Stay awake,” she said worriedly. 

“I am awake,” Salvatore murmured 

“You closed your eyes.” Mira said 

“I was resting them.” Salvatore grunted in pain. 

She let out a frustrated sigh. “You’ve lost a lot of blood. Try to keep your eyes open.” 

“I’ve lost more than this honey it's nothing.” 

She shot him another glare. “Would you stop trying to sound invincible for five minutes?”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I’ll think about it.”

She shook her head. “You are so fucking annoying.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Antonio smiled to himself. “You know, boss…”

Salvatore didn’t open his eyes. “What?”

“I’ve worked for you for  years.” he said with a smile  “I’ve seen you stitched up without anesthesia.”

Salvatore grunted, his eyes still closed 

“You once pulled a knife out of your own leg because you didn’t want to wait for the doctor. Antonio laughed. “And yet…” He glanced at the mirror again. “…I’ve never seen you this quiet Miss Voss sure knows how to keep your mouth shut.” 

Salvatore finally opened one eye.“I’m bleeding Anton. 

Antonio snorted. “Yeah but never stopped that mouth of yours.” He nodded toward Mira. “You’re enjoying the attention just admit it.”

Salvatore looked at Mira.nShe was still pressing firmly against his wound, her brows drawn together in concentration.

His smile became almost invisible. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Antonio rolled his eyes. “Of course you don’t.”

Mira looked between the two men. “Is he always like this?”

Antonio laughed. “Nah… his way Worse.”

“I heard that,” Salvatore muttered.

“I said so you could hear me,” Antonio said 

Mira couldn’t believe they were joking after all that just happened  “Are both of you insane? You think this is funny.”

Antonio answered first. “Unfortunately it's messed up.”  

Salvatore nodded once. “He’s right.”

She stared at them. “I honestly don’t know how either of you survived through this craziness.” 

Antonio burst into laughter. “You hear that, boss?”

“I did.”

“I like her.” Antonio said smiling 

Salvatore’s lips curved upward.”She's amazing isn't she. That's why she's mine.” 

Mira groaned. “I don't belong to you. Am not some property you just claim ownership of.” 

“You're my property” Salvatore replied.

She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “This is unbelievable.”

Another sharp breath escaped Salvatore.

His body tensed. This time, he couldn’t hide the pain any longer.  Mira immediately looked at him.

“Salvatore.” He didn’t answer. His head had tilted slightly toward the window. The color had drained from his face. Her heartbeat quickened.

“Antonio.” His eyes met hers in the mirror “Something’s wrong.” Antonio’s smile disappeared instantly.  He pressed harder on the accelerator.

“We’re almost there.”

Mira shook her head. “Faster.”

Antonio didn’t hesitate. The engine roared as the car surged forward. A few minutes later, the large iron gates of the Corvin estate came into view.

They swung open immediately. The car barely stopped before the front doors of the mansion flew open. Several guards rushed outside. Behind them came an older man in a dark suit carrying a black medical case.

Doctor Romano. The moment the car stopped, Antonio jumped out.

“Doc!” he shouted. “The bullet went through his shoulder.”

Doctor Romano hurried toward the rear door.

Before anyone else could reach him… Mira had already opened the door herself. She climbed out first before turning back toward Salvatore.

He was still sitting where he’d been. His breathing had become slower. She reached for him without thinking.

“Come on,” she said softly. “You need to get treated.”

Salvatore slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.

There wasn’t even the hint of a smile on his face.

Then, without saying a word… He placed his uninjured hand in hers.

Salvatore’s fingers curled around hers.

His hand was warm. The heat against her skin made something twist uneasily inside her chest.

She tightened her grip without thinking.

“Easy,” Mira said softly. “Don’t try to stand too fast.”

Salvatore looked at her for a long moment. “…Yes, ma’am.”

Antonio stared at them. Then he looked at Doctor Romano.

“Did he just listen to someone?” Antonio asked.

Doctor Romano adjusted his glasses. “I believe he did.”

Antonio looked genuinely disturbed. “Boss, are you feeling alright? You obeyed somebody.”

Salvatore shot him a tired look. “I was shot, Anton. Not possessed. And knock it off whatever nonsense you're on..”

One of the guards snorted before quickly pretending to cough.

Antonio pointed at him. “You laugh again and I’ll have your head hanging on the door by morning.@

The guard immediately straightened. “Yes, sir.”

Mira ignored all of them. “Can you stand?” she asked.

Salvatore gave a small nod. “I think so.”

She slipped one arm carefully around his waist.

The moment she did, his entire body stiffened.

Not because of the pain. Because she had touched him willingly. Even if it was only to keep him from falling. Antonio noticed the look on Salvatore’s face and almost laughed.

“So that’s what it takes.” Salvatore didn’t even spare him a glance. “Keep talking and you might loose that tongue of yours,” he muttered.

Antonio laughed watching him. Together, Mira and Salvatore stepped out of the car. The moment his feet touched the ground, his knees almost gave out.

Mira reacted instantly. “Careful.” She caught him before he could stumble. His arm automatically came around her shoulders for balance.

They were suddenly much closer than either of them expected. Her perfume drifted into his senses.

His heartbeat slowed.

Mira looked up. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Salvatore said softly 

“Liar.”

A faint smile touched his lips. “I don't lie  to  you, darling.”

She sighed. “You really don’t know when to stop.”

“I was hoping you were beginning to like it.”

She rolled her eyes. “In your dreams.”

“I dream about you a lot.” 

She looked at him in complete disbelief. “…You seriously chose now to flirt?”

“I don’t know when I’ll get another opportunity.”

Antonio pinched the bridge of his nose. “Boss…”

“What?”

“You’ve lost enough blood to fill a bucket.”

“And you’re flirting.” Mira said watching him in disbelief 

“I don't want to lose my life without letting you know how much I crave you.”

Antonio looked toward the night sky. “God… give me strength,” he muttered to himself 

Even Doctor Romano couldn’t hide the smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

“Mr. Corvin,” the doctor said. “If you’ve finished charming Miss Voss, I’d appreciate it if you came inside before you collapse.”

“ Am  fine.” The words had barely left Salvatore’s mouth when his vision blurred.

His body swayed. Mira’s grip tightened immediately.

“Salvatore.”

“I’m…”His voice trailed off. He blinked slowly, trying to steady himself. “…fuck.”

“Nah, you’re not,” Mira said. She looked toward Antonio. “Help me.”

Antonio was already there. He moved to Salvatore’s other side, slipping an arm around him.

“Come on, tough guy.”

“I can walk.”

“You can barely stand.” Mira shot back. Her heart was breaking with worry 

“I’ve walked through worse.”

Antonio sighed. “There he is. Being the  stubborn idiot I know.” Together, they guided him toward the mansion. The servants hurried out of the way the moment they entered.

Nobody spoke. The trail of blood on the marble floor said enough. Doctor Romano pointed toward the grand staircase. To his treatment  room.”

Antonio nodded. “We’re taking him there.”

Mira started to follow. She had no  idea Salvatore had a treatment room. How often does he get hurt she wondered 

One of the housekeepers stepped into her path.“Miss Voss…”

Mira looked at her.

“Am going to need you to go change.” Only then did Mira glance down at herself. The emerald silk was covered in blood.

Her hands… Her forearms… Even the side of her dress was stained.

She stared at it for several seconds. All of it belonged to Salvatore. A strange ache settled inside her chest.

She hadn’t even noticed how much blood he had lost yet he kept talking. Antonio glanced back over his shoulder. “You coming?”

Mira lifted her eyes. Salvatore had stopped walking.

Despite Antonio supporting most of his weight… He had turned around. He was looking at her. Waiting.

“…Come with me,” he said quietly.

Doctor Romano frowned. “Mr. Corvin, you need treatment.”

“I know.”Salvatore said closing His eyes in pain 

“Then we need to keep moving.” Doctor Romano said. Salvatore ignored him.

His eyes never left Mira.“Please.”

The single word caught everyone by surprise.

Antonio blinked. Doctor Romano blinked.

Even the guards exchanged confused looks.  Antonio leaned toward the doctor and whispered, “Did… did my boss just say please?”

Doctor Romano looked just as stunned. “I believe he did.”

Mira stood completely still. She didn’t know what unsettled her more.

The blood. Or the fact that Salvatore Corvin had just asked instead of ordered.

Slowly… She nodded.

“…Okay.”