Page 207 of Punishing His Runaway Bride

---

That afternoon, I coaxed Juliet and Leo down for naps, then went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. Cleared my head some.

Then I returned to the bed and took his hand.

Stared at his closed eyes, nose burning, couldn't help pressing my forehead against his hand.

"Ezio, I miss you so much. Please wake up."

The moment the words left my lips, his finger moved. In my palm, it curled slightly.

I jerked my head up to see his eyelids moving. Slow, like it took enormous effort.

Then he opened his eyes.

Those eyes were green, dark green, like winter woods. They stared blankly at the ceiling, shifted, then landed on my face.

"You're crying," he said, voice rough as sandpaper.

"No, I'm not."

"Liar."

I laughed. Tears fell, splashing on the back of his hand.

"You slept a long time," I said.

"How long?"

"A day."

"Not so long." His lips curved slightly. "I've slept longer."

"When?"

"The day you left. Drank half a bottle of whiskey. Slept two full days."

My nose stung again. I bent my head, pressed my forehead to his hand, tears streaming.

"Don't cry," he said, finger twitching, trying to grip my hand but lacking strength. "I'm okay."

"You always say that."

"This time it's true."

I looked up at him. His face was still pale, dark circles under his eyes, lips cracked, but he looked at me with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Did the kids come?" he asked, glancing at the drawings by the bed.

"Yeah. I told them you were just sleeping."

"Juliet wouldn't believe that."

"You're right. She's smart."

He smiled briefly, then closed his eyes, like he'd used up all his strength.

"Don't sleep," I said, voice panicked.

"Not sleeping," he said, eyes still closed. "Just thinking about something."

---