Page 134 of In Ruins
“You’re here,” I breathe, like I don’t even believe my eyes or my words. Sobs rack my body, and he rushes closer to me, dropping to his knees in front of me and pulling me gently into his arms. His hands on me are soft, like he’s afraid to touch me, afraid to hurt me more. “You’re real.”
“I’m real, baby. I’m here. We’re here to get you out,” he says and I sob harder. “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you. I’m so fucking sorry I let this happen. I’ll never be able to forgive myself for letting them get the opportunity to take you.”
“It’s not your fault. They would’ve found a way whether you were with me or not. I’m glad it happened this way though, because if you were with me, then they would have killed you to get me. I can’t live without you. I don’t ever want to be without you,” I sob.
“You’ll never have to live without me, baby. You’re mine, and you’re staying that way forever. Fuck! I’ve never been afraid of anything in my life, but earlier today, when I realized that you were gone, I was so fucking afraid for you and our baby,” he murmurs.
“I was so scared too. I didn’t know if…” I say and trail off as my voice trembles. “I didn’t know if you’d find me or make it in time.”
“I’ll always come for you, baby. No matter what it takes. I knew I’d find you in time because I would have burned the world down to get to you,” he tells me, voice filled with conviction and devotion.
“I love you,” I sniffle.
“I love you too, baby,” he whispers.
Just then, I hear a sound and look up to see Luca standing there, watching us intently. He also looks like he’s lost and in pain, probably from seeing me like this. For a second, I forgot he was even here. “Is he real?” I whisper.
“Yes. He is,” Enzo says, pulling away from me.
Luca steps closer to me, bending down on his knees in front of me and lifting one hand to brush my hair back from my face. “Fuck! I missed you, sunshine.”
Hearing him call me sunshine after so many months without it has me wrapping my arms around him. The floodgates open, and I’m bawling my eyes out again. “Where were you?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it when you’re all better,” he says, and I nod my head against his chest.
“Fuck, baby! Where are you hurt?” Enzo asks.
“I’m okay,” I tell him quickly so he won’t worry too much. “I’m okay, just a bit banged up.”
“Let’s get you out of here and straight to the hospital. Can you stand?”
“Yes.” They both hold an arm to help me up, but I let out a cry. “Shit! Sorry. Salvatore dislocated my shoulder.”
“I’m going to fucking make that asshole’s death as painful as possible,” Enzo grunts.
“Yeah, same,” my brother mutters.
“Tell me everything that’s wrong,” my husband demands.
“My ribs are aching, I think my wrist and ankle are sprained, something’s wrong with my knee too, and my left side shoulder is dislocated,” I say, listing my injuries one at a time.
I watch as my words slam into my husband like a physical blow landing with each injury, I make him aware of.
“We have to get her out of here fast!” he tells Luca. “But fuck! She’s injured, and I don’t know if we should lift her. I don’t want to hurt her stomach,” he looks like he’s going to make himself go crazy with worry right now, so I decide to help him out a little.
“I can stand,” I say.
“What?”
“I can stand if you help me up. And if both of you hold on to me, I can maybe limp out of here?” He looks very skeptical of my suggestion. But the two of them try to help me up.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, moving his hand instinctively and placing it protectively over my belly. “I’ve got both of you.”
The moment I’m on my feet, my legs buckle. Enzo reacts quickly, holding me up so I don’t fall. There’s a sharp shooting pain in my stomach before I feel a gush of liquid leak out of me as more pain engulfs me.
“E-Enzo—” I say, my voice coming out wobbly and terrified.
“Yeah, baby?”
