The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

EIGHTEEN

Adrianna hated taking pain medication, only because it made her loopy—and forgetful. She'd been in her room a full day now, and she wanted to leave. The bed was uncomfortable, and the TV only played stations that spoke Italian. Then again, when the nurses gave her more pain pills, it didn't matter what was on the television. She hated sleeping the day away. She wanted to visit with Gabe and her sister. She wanted to stay awake long enough to carry on a decent conversation with them.

She glanced around the room. Gabe made sure she had the best room in the hospital. Many small tables were brought in just to hold all of the flowers people had sent to her. Of course, Gabe was the major contributor of the lavender roses, but that just made her heart light.

Staring at the clock, she watched it move from minute to minute. She really needed to get out of here before she screamed. But in thirty minutes, the nurse would be back in to drug her with more pain pills. Inwardly, she groaned. She wished they would listen to her when she told them she didn't want them. Although her shoulder was on fire and it hurt to even move her fingers, she'd rather endure that than having to be doped up.

The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotion for her. The minute she'd met the sexy Italian, he'd turned her world topsy-turvy. She had strong feelings for him that scared her, and yet, she'd never been happier.

And her sister... Adrianna shook her head. Her heart still ached from everything she'd discovered. Thankfully, she remembered Gabe mentioning to her—during her pain medication that took her to dreamland—that he was going to admit Valerie to one of the best drug rehab centers in the world. Adrianna's heart melted for this wonderful, giving man.

Also, Adrianna recalled them saying that Valerie didn't have to go to jail for breaking and entering, especially if she worked with the police to turn in evidence about Dante's drug and gun business. Valerie said she had a lot of information to tell the police.

As for Dante...he was alive. Barely. But as soon as he was healed, he was going to prison. Adrianna was relieved about that. Someone as trigger-happy as Dante had been yesterday, deserved to spend his life in prison.

There was a knock on the door mere seconds before someone walked in...holding a big stuffed teddy bear with a pink bow around his neck. Tilted on the bear's head looked like some kind of tiara. The middle was thick, and gold, but diamonds and silver lined the edges. She smiled. She didn't need to see Gabe's face to know he was behind this surprise. She recognized his hands and detected his masculine scent wafting through the air.

"Oh, Gabe," she giggled. "Where are we going to put the bear?"

He lowered it to look at her. The twinkle in his eyes and his crooked smile made her heart melt.

"I guess it wouldn't fit on the bed with you."

She shook her head. "No."

"Hmm..." His gaze moved around the room and to the adjoining bathroom. "Maybe we'll have to sit him on the toilet, then—or put him in the shower."

She laughed out loud. The movement made a pain shoot through her arm and she cringed, but she tried her hardest to ignore it. She loved laughing with Gabe.

He set it down on the floor before moving to the bed. He bent and kissed her lips. When he pulled back, a smile of satisfaction was displayed on his face.

"Has the doctor told you when you can come home?"

She frowned. "No, but I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want the pain medication they keep giving me. I want to go a whole day without feeling loopy."

"I agree. I will instruct the nurses to stop giving them to you. There are other pills that don't have a side effect."

"Gabe," she c****d her head, "you aren't the doctor. You can't tell them to do anything. Only the doctor can."

"Watch me." He winked and quickly left the room.

Curious, she strained to hear what was being said in the hallway. He spoke Italian, and the nurses answered in the same language. Adrianna really needed to learn how to speak their language so she could understand them.

Not more than five minutes later, Gabe walked back into the room wearing a victorious grin as he swiped his hands together.

"It's done. They will give you another pill that is not as strong."

Adrianna shook her head. "You are absolutely amazing."

He stopped beside her bed and kissed her, again. "It's only because I love you so much."

Surprise washed over her like a bucket of ice water. She gasped and stared at him with wide eyes. "You...what?"

One of his eyebrows lifted. "Don't tell me...you don't remember me telling you I loved you?"

"No. When did you confess this?"

"Right after you had been shot." Groaning, he rubbed his forehead. "I should have realized..." He inhaled quickly, followed by a slow exhale. "My dearest Adrianna," he took her hand in his, "before we were interrupted by Dante at the party, I was trying to tell you how much these past few days have meant to me. I wasn't planning on falling in love with you, but I couldn't help it. You are so kind, so loving, and you think of others first. I've never met a woman like you, and now that I have found you, I never want to let you go." He kissed her hand. "When I was trying to help you stay awake after you had been shot, I asked if you wanted to be with me forever. We could live at my vineyard, and raise a bunch of children. Our lives will be simple, but very happy."

Her heart flooded with happiness and she nodded. "Oh, Gabe. I love you so much. I have never felt this way about any other man. Of course, I'll be with you forever."

"And I promise," he said, sitting on the edge of her bed, "to be the best husband in the world. When I realized I hadn't protected you from that bullet, it nearly killed me to see you suffering. If I could have taken your place, I would have."

"Oh, Gabe. You are my protector, no matter what. And I know you'll be the greatest husband that ever lived."

He laughed. "Exactly, because I'm Italian." His grin widened. "And Italians are very loving and charming, don't you know?"

She chuckled. "I'm just glad you're mine."

He moved away from her and stopped at the bear, where he removed the tiara. Wearing a wide smile, he brought it back to her and carefully, placed it on her head. "I know you think I should have a crown, but as long as my countess has a tiara, you will make me the luckiest man in the world."

Gasping, she touched the tiara as tears gathered in her eyes. "This...is amazing. But I don't need a tiara. You have always treated me like a queen."

He bent and kissed her again, but this time he didn't pull away. The kiss wasn't as passionate as they'd shared before, but it meant more this time. From this point forward, they would make special memories together.

Perhaps fairy tale romances really do come true...

THE END

Find my other stories on Ficfun - Too Many Secrets, Danger in Her Arms, and Secrets and Lies. And...watch for more stories from me that will be coming very soon!