Chapter Nineteen
Nina’s POV
I didn’t leave Dante’s side.
Not when Enzo told me to get some rest. Not when Nikolai brought food I didn’t eat. Not when the doctor came back to check vitals and change bandages.
I sat in that chair beside his bed for eighteen hours straight, holding his hand like it was the only thing keeping me tethered to earth.
Because somewhere between the gunfire and the blood and watching him take a bullet meant for me, something inside me had broken.
Or maybe it had finally healed.
The room was quiet except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and Dante’s slow, even breathing. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting silver shadows across his face. He looked younger in sleep. Less dangerous. Almost peaceful.
But the bandages covering his shoulder rem
