Chapter 154: Stay With Me

“Hey… hey, stay with me.”

No response.

Marco swore under his breath and pressed his fingers against the side of her neck, checking the pulse.

Still there.

Weak, but there.

“Come on, Miss Scalese,” he muttered. “Don’t do this to me.”

Because the first rule here was simple.

She had to stay conscious.

If she slipped too far into shock while he was digging that bullet out…

He exhaled slowly. Marco shook her shoulder a little harder this time. “Veronica,” he said firmly. “Wake up.”

Because the next few minutes were going to be hell for both of them.

“Luca?” she whispered.

Even half-conscious and drowning in pain, that was the man she called for.

“Its me Marco,” he said quickly, leaning closer so she could focus on his voice instead of the dizziness threatening to pull her under. “Listen. This is going to hurt a lot but I have to do this, okay?” Marco reached toward the glovebox and pulled out a bottle of alcohol he kept there. He poured the alcohol over his fingers.

Then he reached toward her thigh.

The blood had soaked through her clothes completely now, warm and sticky against his hands. Marco clenched his jaw and pushed his fingers into the wound.

The scream that tore out of Veronica was frightening.

Her back arched violently against the seat as the pain exploded through her body. Her vision burst into white stars. She couldn’t even breathe. The agony was so intense it felt like her bones had been set on fire. Her head throbbed. Her ears rang.

“Jesus…” Marco muttered under his breath, working quickly. His fingers searched through the torn flesh carefully, ignoring the way her blood coated his skin. “Its alright, almost there…” he kept soothing. “Almost there Miss Scalese. I got you.”

Veronica barely heard him.

The pain had swallowed everything else.

Her fingers clawed weakly at the seat beneath her as her body trembled violently.

“Almost there,” Marco repeated again.

And then—

His fingers hit metal.

“There you are,” he muttered.

With one final careful motion, he dug the bullet out.

Marco pulled his hand back, the small bloody slug resting between his fingers.

His hands were soaked now.

Veronica’s blood dripped onto the floor mat as he stared at it for a brief second, relief washing through him.

“Got it.” He slipped the bullet into his pocket without another thought.

Marco grabbed the bandage kit quickly, pressing gauze tightly against the wound to slow the bleeding before sliding out of the car.

The back door shut behind him.

Then he ran around to the driver’s seat and started the engine.

The car roared to life.

Marco sped out of the compound and toward the hospital.

Inside the back seat, Veronica had finally lost consciousness again.

Her body had simply given up.

*****

By the time Don Genovese and Julian returned to Luca’s mansion, the house had returned to its usual eerie calm.

If someone had arrived without knowing what had happened earlier, they would have thought it was just another evening in the home of one of New York’s most powerful men.

Dinner was already waiting.

The long dining table had been set perfectly, silverware shining under the chandelier light, plates arranged.

And Bianca was there.

She stood as soon as the two men entered the living room. “Welcome back, Don,” Bianca greeted smoothly. She looked perfectly composed.

Not a strand of hair out of place.

Not a hint of the chaos she had caused earlier that evening.

Don Genovese removed his coat slowly, handing it off to one of the waiting maids. “How is the girl you shot?” he asked flatly.

“I’m sure she is fine.”

“Our trip to New York was for the wedding and to see if it is calm enough now for you to stay permanently. This little stunt? You just ruined that chance.” Don chastised her.

“Don, Luca is my husband!” she said, unable to hide the frustration simmering beneath her composure. “I deserve some respect. His mistress lives here in this house! My house!”

“You’re right,” he said finally. “And that’s why I am not faulting your actions,” he continued calmly.

Bianca’s shoulders relaxed a fraction.

“However,” Don added, “do you truly believe your husband will allow this. You disrespected your husband,” he continued. “I don’t care if he is fucking her,” he said bluntly. “But she is his guest.”

That was the part that mattered. Respect. Order.

“Bianca,” Don said, “there are ways to get your man glued to you.” He looked up at her. “This?” He shook his head slightly. “This isn’t it.”

Bianca lowered her eyes. “Yes Don.”

“I’m famished,” he said after a moment. “Where is Nonnina?”

“I’m going to go, father,” Julian said suddenly.

Both of them turned toward him.

He had been standing quietly near the doorway the entire time, observing the exchange without interrupting.

“You’re not staying for dinner?” Don asked.

“No,” Julian replied. “I have a few things to get to back at my house.”

“Very well.”

Julian turned toward Bianca then. “May I talk to you outside for a minute, Bianca?” he asked.

“Of course.”

The two of them stepped out of the room together.

Julian pushed the door open and stepped outside first.

Bianca followed him onto the porch.

“as much as your actions are justified, Bianca, Luca will come back and there will be hell to pay.” Julian began.

“I wasn’t thinking,” she admitted. “The girl laughed in my face Julian.”

Even now the memory made her blood simmer again.

That smug American face.

“And besides,” Bianca added quickly, trying to reclaim some ground, “I didn’t aim the gun at her. The bullet must have ricocheted.”

He believed that part.

If she had truly wanted Veronica dead, the girl wouldn’t have left that room breathing.

Still, the damage had been done.

Julian sighed quietly. “I will stop by everyday,” he said. “Since we have no idea when he is going to be back. But if you need me, just call me. Alright?”

“Sure.” Then she gave him a faint smile. “Thank you, Julian. I’m glad you are on my side.”

He gave a small nod and turned toward his car.

(Brought to you by Janelle Fox)

Its going to be a busy day today. Got my first dragon and a car. Just home from work and straight to writing. Oooooooh Mama!!!

PS: If you haven’t, please drop a review. The book is getting a promotion in about five hours, and reviews do help a lot. Thank you.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep