protective instinct in my little body coming to life, and pointed at Hunter. “You get up and I'm gonna give you a second god damn gunshot wound. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Boss.” He grinned and sat back. “Do you have drugs?”
“How do I know? I don't know anything about this house. Angelo!” I yelled. “Hey, Pontarelli!”
“Jesus, woman, I'm here, I'm here.” He came in through the door that lead from the living room to the back deck.
I looked at the cigarette in his hand and cleared my throat. He promptly returned outside, put it out, and came back in.
“Sorry,” he said. “Forgot.”
“Thank you. Hunter needs some aspirin or something strong enough to stop him being in pain.”
“I don't know if we have any.”
“Then I suggest you go and get some.”
“Why is that my job?”
“Did you or did you not help him discharge himself and drive him from the hospital to here?”
He didn't answer me.
“Exactly. Go. Now. Thank you.” I pointed toward the door.
Angelo grinned and glanced over his shoulder to Hunter. “Only woman I'd ever take an order from.”
I swung my hand toward him, and he laughed and jumped out of the way.
“By the way,” he said as he backed up. “I just spoke to Dad. He found Rossi.”
I gasped happily. “Yes!”
“He's eating all the tuna, apparently.”
“Fucking cat,” Hunter muttered from the sofa. “Hey, where's Gaige? I want to thank him for not getting himself killed.”
Angelo laughed as he left, and I shrugged. “I think he's going up the Statue of Liberty, but who knows?”
Hunter quirked an eyebrow. “Really? Lady Liberty? That's what he's doing?”
“Well he's already done the Empire State and Central Park this week. I told him to go explore because he kept hovering and it bugged me.” I shrugged again and sat on the coffee table opposite Hunter. “Are you really okay?”
“I got shot through my appendix. I'm fucking dandy, bella.”
I pursed my lips. “I swear to God...”
He grinned, and it was the mischievous, infectious grin I loved. “I'm okay. Just hurting a little. But I'm better now that I'm home. With you.” Hesitance glimmered back at me in his gaze.
“Don't look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you think I'm going to throw you out to sleep on the lake or something.”
“Well... I wouldn't blame you.” His grin dropped, guilt taking the place of his amusement. “I did a fucking lot of really shitty things to you, Addy. I lied to you and broke your heart. I almost got you killed because I was a fucking prize asshole. I don't blame you if you don't forgive me.”
“Hunter...” I moved to the sofa next to him. “You made a choice. It was just the wrong one. Am I mad still? Yeah, kinda, but I know why you did it. And honestly, being without you for a week and watching you almost die right in front of me has kind of put it into perspective.”
He stared at me for a long moment before he shifted, bit back a shudder, and brought his hand to cup my cheek. I flattened my hand over his and turned my face into his palm, smiling as his hand, softer than usual, spread warmth through me.
“You're a much better person than I am.” He frowned, but when I ghosted my thumb along his lips, stopped.
“You're my person, though,” I whispered, leaning forward so our breath mingled. “Even if you can be a shitty one sometimes.”
He smiled, laughing against my lips. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” I pulled back, and the twinkle returned to his eye. “Besides—I can't do this alone, can I? I kinda need you a bit.”
“Just a bit, huh?”
“Just a bit. Don't get too cocky. You're still on bed rest.”
“Is that an order?”
“It's always an order, Rosso.” I tapped his nose. “Always.”
“Always.” He pulled me back into him, this time wrapping an arm securely around my body. “I like the sound of always.”
“Good. Now you're going to bed.” I kissed his cheek and stood, holding my hands out for him.
He got up by himself. Defiant little bastard. “Are you coming with me?”
I stared at him. “Not to do what you're thinking I'm gonna do.”
“I wanted a nap, but okay, if you wanna strip me naked and—”
“Hunter.”
“What?”
I smiled. “Shut up. Fool.”
He smiled right back. “Fine. A nap. But then I'm going to help you rebuild this empire you decided to steal back. While I'm lying in bed, of course. Being waited on hand and foot by your fine ass.”
I wrapped my arm around his waist and