Chapter 2 - The First Stitch
The storm outside had intensified by 2:00 AM,
rattling the heavy oak window frames of the master suite.
Dominic stirred in his sleep,
groaning softly as a fresh wave of fever wracked his massive frame.
I rushed to the bedside,
pressing the back of my hand against his burning forehead.
His skin was scorching hot,
a clear sign that the infection was fighting back against the antibiotics.
Without hesitation,
I grabbed a basin of ice water and a washcloth,
beginning the tedious process of sponging his feverish skin.
As I wiped the sweat from his neck and chest,
intricate black tattoos of swirling Italian crests and gothic symbols came into full view.
Scars crisscrossed his torso like roadmap markers of a violent,
merciless life.
Suddenly,
his massive hand shot out from the blankets,
grabbing my wrist with iron strength.
His eyes flew open,
blazing with disorientation and primal suspicion.
"Who sent you?" he demanded,
his voice a low,
gravelly growl directly into the dark room.
"Nobody sent me,
Leo hired me from the agency,
" I answered firmly,
twisting my wrist slightly to test his grip.
"Let go of me,
Dominic,
or I won't give you your next dose of pain medication.
"
He stared at me for three agonizing seconds,
searching my eyes for any sign of deception.
Finding none,
his grip slowly loosened,
though his gaze remained fiercely guarded.
"You're too stubborn to be a normal nurse,
" he muttered,
closing his eyes again as exhaustion pulled him under.
I massaged my bruised wrist,
letting out a long breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Working in the downtown ER had prepared me for chaos,
but nothing prepared me for the sheer aura of lethal dominance radiating from this man.
I settled into the armchair by the corner of the room,
watching the steady rise and fall of his chest.
Hours ticked by in heavy silence,
broken only by the howling wind and the rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock downstairs.
At dawn,
Leo knocked softly before stepping into the room with a silver tray.
He looked at Dominic,
then at me,
raising an eyebrow in silent question.
"He survived the night,
" I whispered,
standing up and rolling my stiff shoulders.
"And remarkably,
neither of us threw anything at the other.
"
Leo gave a rare,
approving nod.
"Mr.
Rossi is not a man who keeps company easily,
Ms.
Hayes.
"
"He'll test you until you break,
or until he respects you.
"
"I don't break,
Leo,
" I replied,
taking the tray from his hands with a calm smile.
"Good,
" Leo said quietly,
turning on his heel.
May you like
"Because enemies are already circling the perimeter.
"
