Page 76 of Protective Phlox

“Yes, exactly. Like my arm has been suddenly cut off, and I don’t know what to do.”

Goran pulled over a chair and sat down beside me. “You really should get some rest. Go see Cutter. I had Ivan bring him to the penthouse, which is only ten minutes away.”

I slumped back in my chair and sipped my coffee. “No. I want to see him, but I can’t leave her.”

“I had a feeling you were going to say that. I left a bag with a change of clothes and stuff out in the hall.”

I grabbed Goran’s arm, and he froze with his coffee to his lips as he stared at me.

“Thank you. You’ve always been a great friend, and I don’t say that enough.”

“Fuck off,” he said, but smiled. “You’re just trying to make me cry, and it’s not going to happen, asshole.” I chuckled, and a little bit of the weight sitting on my chest eased. “Seriously though, I’m sorry we didn’t see the shooter coming. I failed to keep her safe, and I’m…I’ll never forgive myself for that,” he said, and I gave him a dirty look.

“You better be fucking joking. We lost two guys in that shootout, and it’s all over the news.” That was another issue to deal with later. Maybe I’d let Ronan handle it, he was better at the political crap than I was, and the fucker owed me. “The point is, I don’t blame you for this. You didn’t set it in motion, and I know that you would’ve taken the bullet for her. Besides, if it weren’t for your quick thinking, she wouldn’t be alive right now.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Goran said, his face coated in shadows and dark lines as he stared straight ahead. There was no point in arguing with him. He always took on far too much blame for everything.

“How did the pick-up go?”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “Titus took the lead on that, and last I heard, Aldo was extremely shocked to find out that his nephew had sold him out, and his ride to the airport was delayed.”

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him. My father might have been the one to put this in motion, but what kind of a piece of shit actively shoots not just at one kid but near a whole school? He deserved every ounce of pain that I was going to rain down on him the moment Savannah was out of this hospital. Until then, I’d let my soldiers play with him. They were all too willing to get their hands dirty with Aldo and the shooter.

The question was, could I ever really trust Romeo again? Only time would tell, but in the meantime, I’d be taking a closer look at everything Mancini, just in case.

We lapsed into silence, and all I could do was stare at her face. It never occurred to me to wonder what it would be like to be in love. What it would feel like to have your life wrapped up in another person so tightly that you couldn’t picture taking your next breath without them. Not once had it ever crossed my mind the pain that people felt when they lost their significant other. It wasn’t like I had a good example or even thought about getting married for love. Now…Savannah had blown into my life like a storm and swept me away, and I’d never been able to get back to shore. At least not without her by my side. In a blink, I realized that she could save me, but without her, I would drown.

Goran laid his hand on my shoulder, startling me. “You gonna be okay if I head back to the mansion and settle up a few things before we move?”

“Go for it. I want everything of mine removed. Files, furniture, clothing, you name it. Shoot my father or any of his guards that get in the way. I’m never stepping foot on the property again, and he better prepare himself because I’m coming for him.”

“Are you ready for that?”

I shrugged. “Ready or not, it must be done. Besides, I already stole Aaron and Titus to work for me. My father has never respected Kaylani the way he should. She has fabulous marketing ideas. I’m sure I can sway her too. Then it will just be Ronan left. He was always the golden boy. Even with what he heard on the recording, he’ll have a tough time letting go.”

Goran stood and stretched. “Keep me posted if there is any change.” Walking to the door, he reached out, and one of the other guards handed him my small travel bag. “I’ll leave this here.” Setting it down, he paused before leaving. “She’s going to be okay.” Goran closed the door behind him, and I sighed. I really hoped he was right.

Polishing off the coffee, I tossed it into the garbage and picked up Savannah’s hand again.

“You know you’ve ruined me forever, don’t you? I was a ruthless killer, a man without a conscience, and someone who stomped on hearts as fast as they were handed to me. But then we happened. Did you ever think that one night of drunken sex would lead us to this moment? I didn’t.”

I ran my thumb against her skin, willing her to open her eyes. “When I was growing up, I spent every day trying to win my father’s approval. Maybe that was why I became more ruthless than anyone else in the family. Earning his love. For all the good it did me. He almost killed our son. He was going to kill you. You were right to run from me to keep Cutter hidden. He deserves so much more than what this dark world has in store for him. I promise you that I’ll do everything in my power to shield him from all of it for as long as I can. If I were a less selfish man, I’d set you both free. Hide you across the world so the two of you remain safe.”

“But then Cutter wouldn’t have you.” I jumped up at the raspy, whispered words.

“Oh my god, you’re awake.” Smoothing her hair back, I kissed her forehead and let the relief wash over me like a warm bath. “Here, have some water.” I grabbed the water cup and held the straw to Savannah’s lips. She took a few sips and then nodded that she was good.

“Where’s my ring,” Savannah asked.

“That’s what you want to ask? Of all the things to know about, you choose the ring?”

“You said not to take it off. Ever.” The corner of her mouth turned up.

“I fucking love you. You know that, right?”

“I do. Tell me what happened. Other than the gunshot, I remember that much.”

Sitting down on the bed, I held her hand in my lap. “Do you want all the details?” She nodded. “Alright. The shooter was across the road in an alley, and he used an AR15. Luckily, he was at a distance, and it had the window to go through, or it would’ve done a lot more damage. The bullet went through and through. They had to take one of your kidneys, and you lost a lot of blood….”