“Also obvious…”
She rested her head against the back of the chair and looked at me. “It seemed like he meant it. So I forgave him.”
“For shooting you in the head?” I asked incredulously. “That’s not something you forgive someone for.”
“By that logic, I shouldn’t forgive you for marching me outside and making me think you were really going to shoot me.” She looked at me with victory in her eyes, knowing her argument was sound.
It was irrefutable. “And maybe you shouldn’t forgive me either…”
“I already have, and I don’t regret it. I don’t regret forgiving him either. He and I are on good terms now.”
“Because you pulled off an incredible stunt. He was forced to admire you, to respect you.”
“And that’s created a new relationship. So maybe we should let the past go and move on. Not letting him hold Martina seems a bit cruel.”
“He was pretty bummed when I told him.”
“Then I can’t enforce that. He was just trying to protect you…and I understand that.”
Maybe she could forgive him for what he did, but I couldn’t. I would make good on my word someday. When he found the woman he loved, I would hurt her the way he’d hurt Siena. It was only fair. “I’m not ready to forgive him so easily, but I’m glad you are.”
“He sat at your hospital bed for four days.”
“And I would have done the same for him even if I was pissed at him. Doesn’t change anything.”
“What about—”
“This is between him and me, baby. If and when I’m ready to forgive him, I will. Until that time comes, let it go.”
She turned back to Martina and turned quiet. “Alright.”
I just got Siena back into my life, and I didn’t want to start it on bad terms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Let’s just forget it. We’re almost home, and I’m excited to be back. I miss my bed. I miss the way the hardwood smells. I miss the way the sheets feel against my skin. I miss us… I miss being together.”
I was relieved to see the estate in perfect shape. The gates hadn’t been breached, and the landscaping was exactly the same. We pulled up to the front of the house then stepped inside, surrounded by the sturdy walls of this fortress.
I moved slower than I normally did because my broken ribs inhibited almost all of my movements. Just a subtle turn was enough to make me writhe in pain. The doctor said it would take time for all the bones to heal so I should be patient.
Bates walked in with me. “I’ve already started hiring more security. It’ll take a while to get everything back in order, but for now, we still have half our men. That should be good enough for the time being. I doubt Micah will storm the gates, but if he does, we’ll be ready for him.”
“And the Skull Kings will be here in no time.”
“With eight hundred million in weapons.”
The house wasn’t quite as spotless as it used to be since Giovanni hadn’t been there to keep it in perfect condition. But now that he was back, he would restore it to its former glory.
“You want me to stay?” Bates asked. “Need me to do anything else?”
At a time like this, it was probably best if we stayed together. He had his own men at his property, but anytime we were apart, we were vulnerable. If he were captured, we’d have to do this whole thing all over again. “Stay. Pick whatever room you want.”
“Can I bring a guest?” He waggled his eyebrows.
My only response was a glare.
He shrugged. “It was worth a try. I’ll grab my stuff and return in an hour.”
“Hurry.”
“You worried about me?” he asked with a smile. “Good to know you don’t hate me anymore.”
“Who said I didn’t?”
He winked then walked out.
I looked at the three stories of stairs with dread. I used to be a strong man who could carry Siena all the way to the very top—and now I could barely carry myself. My body didn’t feel the same anymore. It was broken and aged behind repair. That hammer did immense damage to my frame, and I bit my tongue a few times when I refused to scream.
Siena stopped at the foot of the stairs. “There are rooms on the bottom floor, Cato.”
Now I looked weak in front of her—and I hated that. “I’ll be fine.” I sucked it up and walked all the way to the top floor, stifling the pain as best I could. Now that I was up there, I wouldn’t be returning to the entryway unless it was an emergency. No reason to put my body through that torment again.
Siena put Martina in the crib before she helped me undress in our bedroom. She peeled my shirt off gently, doing her best not to react to the scars and stitches. As much as she tried to fight it, the emotion was impossible to deny when it danced across her face like that. She took care of my jeans next then helped me into bed.