by Posey Parks
Clutching his gruff face, I slammed my lips against his. He gripped my arm, holding me at arm’s length.
His eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck are you?”
I laughed. “Marco, funny. I’ll grab the doctor.”
Stroking my fingers over my mane, I opened the doors and dipped my head into the hall.
“Dr. Connor,” I called.
“Marco is awake.”
I turned on my heels, staring at my husband. He rubbed his brow while staring at the ceiling. “What the fuck is going on?”
He tried to sit up quick, then winced, grabbing his abdomen.
“You were shot several times. But the doctor said you’ll be ok.” I smiled, worriedly.
“Shot?” His thick dark brows rustled together.
“Are you my nurse? Is it your job to sleep with me?” He managed to flash a cocky grin.
I strutted over, pressed the button, bringing him to a sitting position. Lifting his head, I shoved an extra pillow under his head in an effort to provide comfort.
“Funny, Marco?”
His big hand gripped my ass. “You’re a gorgeous, feisty little thing. Just how I like them.”
I ignored him. Was it the drugs talking? Why was he behaving like a pig? Ignoring his behavior was best for now.
“Mr. Esposito, good to see you’re awake,” Dr. Connor grinned as he stepped over checking Marco’s vitals.
“You’re not my regular doctor who fixes me up when I’m in a jam,” he grumbled.
He rubbed at his stubble as he eyed me and winked.
“Doc, how long before I can get down to business? If you know what I mean. She’s a hot little thing. Isn’t she?” The lust in his eyes made me uncomfortable. Something I hadn’t been in a long time around Marco.
The doctor squeezed the ball of the blood pressure cuff, half smirking.
“Marco, you’re awake,” Kagan smile widened as he burst into the room. Maceo quick on his heels.
“Boss, good to see you.” Maceo blew out a breath, halting at the foot of the bed.
“Where am I?”
“At home, baby.” I caressed his arm.
He grabbed my hand and stared at my ring. “Shit, Maceo. I told you no more married chicks.” He glared at him.
“You do remember that order?” he barked.
“Marco, that’s enough. It’s apparent you hit your head too hard. I’m your wife.”
His eyes grew the size of oversized gumballs. “No. I wouldn’t get married.”
Maceo scratched his head. “Boss, Emoni is your wife.”
Kagan’s brows rose. “Doc, what’s wrong with my cousin?”
“I’ll need to examine him. To better understand his behavior. I’ll update you soon, Mrs. Esposito.”
I nodded at Dr. Connor.
“Mrs. Esposito. I must be dreaming,” Marco snickered.
Stepping to the foot of the bed, I clenched Maceo’s forearm. “You stay with him.”
His brown eyes saddened. “No.”
“It’s an order,” I snapped in a whisper.
Not turning to face my husband, I sauntered out of the room.
A few minutes later, I sat at my beautiful kitchen countertop, nursing another piping hot cup of tea.
“I apologize for Marco’s behavior.” Kagan patted my hand as he sat beside me.
Trying desperately not to shed a tear, I sipped the tea.
“Thanks, Kagan.”
“Mrs. Esposito?” I turned in the direction of the doctor’s voice.
“What’s wrong with my husband?”
He sighed, running a hand over his blond locks. Dr. Connor was an attractive man. I bet he had women fighting each other to bed him down.
“Your husband has amnesia. You said he hit his head on concrete?”
I nodded.
“That’s probably the cause of his temporary memory loss.”
I sighed, clutching my chest. “How long will he be in this state?”
“It’s hard to say. It could be days, weeks, even months.”
My heart plummeted to the floor.
“No.” Shit, this meant I would remain the boss while my husband was out of commission. No one could find out he was in this state. The wrong people would’ve been concerned. Wondering if Marco disclosed where bodies were buried.
“Tomorrow, I’ll remove the bullet lodged in his back. And our business will be finished here.”
I cocked my head to the side and smirked. No final answer to be given to the good doctor at this time.
“Kagan, order breakfast please.”
“Sure thing.”
“Dr. Connor, continue to aid your patient.” I rose, sipping my tea, as I walked up the wooden staircase.
I locked my bedroom door the moment I stepped inside my haven. This room was my refuge. Designed to my liking. In a daze, I removed my clothes then stood under the eight shower heads. Slipping the elastic band from my hair, I flung it against the slated tiles. My fingertips massaged the damp walls. A scream waited at the back of my throat, begging to be set free. No more fits. My last one was witnessed in secret by the man I loved. The man I loved didn’t know who I was. Snapping my head to the side, my eyes slammed shut.
Anger.
Rage.
Revenge.
Sat deep in my belly. It was so pronounced. I wanted to unleash my pain on the man who caused my life to unravel. That fucking bastard. May he rot in hell. “Roderigo, I’m coming for you,” I seethed.
There was no pleasant slumber for me. One without nightmares didn’t exist. Death crept around every corner now. Pointing my neck to the ceiling, a guttural laugh released from the depths of my throat. I poured rose scented shower gel on a sponge and lathered my skin. My throat tightened around a wail begging to be set free. Curling into myself in a ball on the floor, I allowed the tears to fall. My body quaked under the steaming hot water thudding my skin.
Heavy moans of sorrow escaped my lips. He didn’t remember me. Didn’t remember I was the only woman who had his heart. The woman who carried his child. Clamping my long lashes against my face, I broke into a million pieces. The man who fought to help me free myself from my inner demons wouldn’t hold me. Ensure we’d get through this tough time together.
I thought back to the day we drove toward the warehouse.
My fingers firmly pressed against the bullet-proof vest under his suit jacket. My eyes brimmed with tears. “Marco, I love you so much.”
“Baby, I love you too.” He pressed his lips against my trembling lips. His forehead landed against mine. “Emoni, you two are all that matter.” He clutched my stomach. My hands caressed his.
A sharp pain ripped through my stomach. “No,” I shrilled.
Bright red blood mixed with white suds trailed down the drain.
I couldn’t lose our child. The stress was mounting.
“Fuck,” I growled, barring my teeth.
“Emoni,” Maceo yelled, banging on the door.
“Open the door,” he roared.
Shit, I needed a towel. Maceo couldn’t see me naked.
“Emoni.”
Maceo sounded closer. He must have used the key to enter the bedroom.
“I’m…naked. I can’t move, Maceo.”
The bathroom door opened. He fumbled inside, eyes closed, reaching for a towel.
He gripped the glass shower door, pulling it open. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m in pain. I think it’s the baby. Throw the towel down.”
He did so.
I covered my body. “You can open your eyes now.”
His eyes widened at the sight of the blood.
He quickly shut the water off, then scooped me up in his arms. I rested my damp hair against his shoulder.
“I’ll take you to the doctor.”
“No, make him come up here.”
“Sorry, Emoni. Downstairs you go.”
I sighed. “At least grab my terrycloth robe.”
He snatched it off t
he bed, then stalked out the room and down the steps.
“Dr. Connor, she’s bleeding.”
He ran out of the kitchen toward us. “Lie her in the bedroom next to Mr. Esposito.”
I peeked at the spots of blood, trailing behind us into the bedroom.
“What’s going on?” Marco yelled from his hospital bed.
The moment Maceo laid me on the bed, Dr. Connor sprang into action.
“Have you ever bled before or been in grave pain during your pregnancy?”
I didn’t remember telling him I was pregnant. “No.”
My eyes darted to the closed door. Maceo had fled before my naked body was exposed.
Dr. Connor placed the cold metal of his stethoscope against my belly.
“I can hear the baby’s heartbeat. It’s strong.” A bright smile swept across his lips.
“Would you like to hear it?”
“Yes.” I smirked through the pain.
He placed the headset in my hands. I slipped the ear tips into my ears.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The sweetest and endearing sound I’d ever heard. Life. Another life was growing inside my belly. One that Marco and I created. The pain had subsided. I breathed.
“I feel better. I’d like to be moved into the room with my husband.”
“Once I’ve completed the exam and I believe you are clear, I’ll allow you to join him.”
I grinned.
If I didn’t help Marco remember who I was and what had gone on recently, I could lose him forever. No way was I giving up on the man I love or my marriage.
∞
After I staggered into the bathroom and cleaned myself up, Maceo carried me into Marco’s room. I peeked at the angry bear sitting up in bed, brooding in the sexiest way. The urge to slide my tongue across every tattoo on his body was still at the forefront of my brain.
His eyes followed. “Maceo, you’re not fucking her, too, are you? You are aware I don’t play that shit?”
Maceo’s face tensed. “Of course not, boss.”
He lowered me onto the king-sized bed.
“Maceo, please bring the clothes lying on the chaise lounge and a hair tie off the dresser…”
I glared at Marco. “In our bedroom.”
Maceo nodded and disappeared out of the room.
“Don’t fucking disrespect me, Marco,” I snarled, cutting him a cold stare.
“Rather, you remember or not, you got down on one knee and asked me to marry you. I know more about you than anyone else. Well, other than Dillon and Maceo.”
His brows rose. “And Tadeas. Wait, you know my friend?”
“Yes.” I sighed.
“How bad is the pain?”
Marco slicked his fingers through his silky dark hair. “I apologize for disrespecting you. It’s out of character and there’s no excuse for my behavior.”
I nodded.
“I’m on heavy pain meds. Every now and then a wave of searing pain shoots through my body between the doses of morphine. I can manage. Why did you yell earlier?”
My head softly thudded the wooden headboard. “I’m carrying our miracle child.”
Biting down on my lip, I stared straight ahead. I couldn’t meet his gaze. He learned I was his wife. Now I was carrying his baby.
“My ex-fiancé beat me so bad my doctor said I may never be able to have children.”
“Beat you? Where the fuck is the bastard? I’ll beat his ass. No man should ever hit a woman,” he growled.
Good to know he was still my Marco. The man who would protect me.
I ignored his question. Later, I’d tell him about José. “And if I became pregnant, it could be a difficult pregnancy. A sharp pain hit me while I was taking a shower.” I paused.
“The feeling of loss was surrounding me. We couldn’t lose our child.” My lashes lowered over the tears as I turned to Marco. Slowly, my eyes opened.
His jaw ticked. He appeared upset. But why?
“Dr. Connor let me listen to the baby’s heartbeat.” I swatted at the tears.
“Our child is a fighter. He or she will be ok. I will rest for now. But not for long.”
“No, you rest.”
“Babe─.” I swallowed hard.
“I mean, Marco, tomorrow Dr. Connor will remove the bullet lodged in your back. You’ll need time to heal. For now, I will continue to run our empire alongside Luca until you recover.”
A chuckle rolled from his throat. Then another. “Are you serious?” He held my gaze.
“As a heart attack I am the new Donna, Marco. You made me lethal.”
Confusion rained on his chiseled features. “How did we meet?”
“At my charity event in Portland, Oregon.”
He rubbed his brow. “I remember boarding the plane to Portland. My father asked that I attend the charity and donate a shit ton of money.” He stared across the room.
“I usually only associate with strippers. It’s easier. Funny thing.” His sexy pink lips ticked up at one end.
“My best friend was hell bent on finding me a good woman. I mean she had her mind made up.”
Memories from the night I learned Marco was a mob boss came rushing back in my head.
“I know all of this is overwhelming to say the least.” My eyes fell over his bulging tatted biceps.
Knuckles rattled against the door before it swung open. “Emoni, here are your clothes.” Maceo laid them on the bed.
“Thank you. Please prepare the meal Dr. Connor ordered Marco to eat.”
“On it.” He glanced at Marco.
“You need anything else, boss?”
“Not right now. But after the surgery Emoni mentioned, I want to be updated on what the fuck happened. And what the fuck have we done about the problem that’s responsible for me lying in this fucking hospital bed,” he roared. The vein along his temple pulsated as he clenched his fist.
Shit. I was to blame for him lying there. Even worse, I was the reason my husband didn’t know who I was.
“We won’t leave out a thing, Marco. I’ll be right back.” Maceo disappeared out of the room.
I untied the terry-cloth robe and shrugged it down my shoulders.
His eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“Changing. I know you don’t remember, but you’ve seen me naked plenty of times.”
I slipped on the shorts, then flung his T-shirt over my head.
“Your body’s beautiful.”
I peered at him. He dropped his head against the pillow.
“How could I not remember a woman as gorgeous as you?”
“Amnesia. Hopefully, you’ll remember me soon.” My toes stretched against the heated wooden floor.
Holding the hair tie between my teeth, I slid my hands over my hair, gathering the strays into a ponytail. I slipped the hair tie over my damp wavy locks.
“What are you doing?”
Careful with my steps, I walked toward the morphine machine.
“I just wanted to check on you. We have to meet in the middle. I’ll take care of you rather you want me to or not.”
His eyes poured over my body.
“In your mind we are nothing.” My fingers splayed across his beating heart.
“To me you are everything. My world, Marco.”
His beautiful long lashes slammed shut over his green eyes. “I want to remember you. Remember the woman who captured my heart.”
His eyes slowly opened. Flecks of gold shining through the green in his eyes.
“The woman who’s running my business.” He swiped his large index finger across my jaw. “The woman who’s carrying my little Esposito.”
Butterflies fluttered in my belly.
Maceo knocked before he backed into the room, carrying a tray of food.
Marco’s hand dropped, and I snatched my hand back. I pressed the button on the machine.
“There. Don’t forget to push the button every time you feel pain.” I smirked.
Maceo placed the tray on the rolling table.
“Thanks for everything, Maceo. Seriously, go relax. I can manage tonight. He’s hooked up to a catheter, so I don’t have to help him to the bathroom. Dr. Connor will examine him every two hours, anyway.”
“Hey, no telling my private business to Maceo.”
He snickered. “See you both in the morning.”
Maceo closed the door behind him.
Marco stared at the broth.
“Sorry big guy, remember you have surgery tomorrow.”
“I got it.”
“Hopefully, there’s a new action movie on Netflix.” I swiped up the remote as I climbed back into bed.
“I’d love a plate of pasta carbonara.” He closed his eyes, salivating.
“The second the doctor clears you to eat a regular diet, I’ll make the pasta.”
“No offense, baby─.”
“Don’t worry your mother will show me the correct way to make it.”
His brows rustled together. “My mother and you are tight?”
“Yes. Between her and Sierra, I’ve become the perfect Donna. Of course, you added a small change to my duties.”
“Which was?”
“I would run the business with Luca if something were to happen to you.”
“But I’m right here.” His eyes darkened as he pointed at his chest.
“After the surgery and you regain your memory, I’ll be happy to turn over the throne.”
“I can manage, Emoni.”
“I have a better idea. How about after surgery we’ll run the business together? Maceo and I will bring you up to speed the moment you are in the clear. I haven’t let you down. I’ve done everything just how you taught me.”
He sipped the broth. “Wow, I must really trust you and love you to put my family’s business in your hands.”
“Yes, Marco, you do.”
“What’s today's date?”
“December twentieth.”
“What the fuck was I thinking? Marrying you in under three months.” He clutched his curly mane.
Ouch. “Marco, our love is different. We share the same best friend, Sierra. She was my best friend first, then yours. When you and I are together we gamble or watch movies…” Amongst other things.
“We spent time in Vegas together. In the near future we’ll spend even more time there once we open the new casino.”
His sexy brow wrinkled. “I found the land for the casino?”