Page 77 of Vow of Desire

“I would if it were that simple. But I don’t know how crazy his men are either. If he dies, we could have a war on our hands. You know I don’t like that. I was thinking we could offer him a peace deal. Another arranged marriage.”

“A peace deal to the fucker who tried to murder me and Luciana?”

“Leo wasn’t happy that I married you to Luciana instead of killing you but he eventually came around. So will you. Peace is always better than a fight. So I’ve learned. I’m going to offer him a deal. I don’t need your permission but I wanted to give you a head’s up on it. So you were prepared.”

“And if he doesn’t take it?”

Gabriel shrugs. “Then I’ll kill him. But if I don’t have to, I don’t want to. Rest, Matteo. Once you’re better, you can see Luciana again.”

“Has she come to see me?”

He hesitates. “I have no idea. I’ve been here all day. She hasn’t come once.”

Does she really not want to be with me? After everything that has happened between us? Fuck.

The urge to cry hits me but I hold it back. The last thing I’m going to do is cry in front of Gabriel. He nods, like he understands, and finally leaves the room, giving me my space.

Why hasn’t Luciana visited me? Something doesn’t feel right. I can’t just sit here and wait for her to come. I have to go to her now.

Working up all my strength, I get out of the bed. A nurse comes running in after I pull out my IVs and take off my heart rate monitor.

“You need to rest,” she says. “Don’t move, Mr. Marani.”

“I have to see my wife.”

“You can when you’re better. Get back in the bed. Please.”

“I’m leaving. You can’t keep me here.”

She sighs. “I would advise you to stay.”

“I don’t want to fucking stay,” I snap.

“All right.” She holds up her hands in surrender. “Let me get you a form you can sign saying you’re waiving your right for us to help you. And then you can go. All right?”

“Fine,” I grumble.

I’m not going to wait any longer than I have to, to see my wife again. The moment I sign the form, I leave the hospital, despite my aching body.

I need answers as to why Luciana hasn’t come to see me.

Chapter Nineteen

Luciana

It’s been days and I haven’t heard anything about Matteo. Is he doing all right? Has he fallen ill again? Nothing.

All because my father is keeping me locked away in my old bedroom and not telling me a thing.

“Daddy, please,” I beg when he brings me breakfast on a tray. Oatmeal and cereal. Things I would eat as a child but now I don’t care for. “Just tell me how Matteo is doing. Surely you know something.”

He sets the tray on the bed. “Eat. How is your foot doing?”

“It’s fine,” I snap. “It’s doing fine. How is Matteo? Gabriel must know. He told you something. I know it. How is my husband?”

“I told you, Luciana, you are never going to see your husband again. I am not going to allow it.”

“Does Gabriel know?” I ask, crossing my arms.