Chapter 74

Luca’s POV

Time felt like it went by excuratingly slow as we cleaned and stitched Mara up. The nurse checked Mara’s head injury and let me know that it was already healing and wasn’t as serious as the rest of her injuries. I made sure to frequently talk to Marabella, and make sure she stayed responsive, as the nurse and I worked together to remove the splinters from her body.

Every now and then, Mara would whimper or hiss as we remvoed deep ones, but overall didn’t react. It stunned me how high her pain tolerance really is. “She will need a shower after this, and another thorough check. Which I believe you are capable of doing. However, her stitches can not get wet for two days. So just put some plastic wrap over the stitches and tape it in place. Use alcohol to clean around the areas”, the nurse explained.

“Will do. Thank you”, I acknowledged. “No problem, Mr. Barello. She can sleep after a shower and a meal. Just wake her up every hur for the first five hours, then she can sleep as long as she wants”, the nurse said with a soft smile. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on her”, she added, looking down at Mara.

After the nurse packed up her bag, I walked her to the door. I told Rex to grab some plastic wrap from the kitchen along with having the kitchen staff prepare something hearty to restore Mara’s nutrients. I walked to the closet and grabeed Mara one of my shirts and a pair of panties from her drawer. I walked into the bathroom and set her clothes on the counter, so that I could start the shower.

By the time I was done, Rex was knocking on the door with the plastic wrap. “Mara, baby, are you ready for a shower?”, I asked, after sealing off her stitched wounds. She groaned, “I want to sleep”, she pouted. “After a shower and a meal, then you can sleep, bambina”, I responded softly, as I gently helped her up off the bed.

I helped her into the bathroom, where I removed her panties and stripped myself of my clothing. “You’ll have to tell me if it is too hot or too cold, baby girl”, I said as we slipped into the shower. Marabella nodded meakily in response. It broke my heart to see her this way. I don’t want to keep her awake when she is this worn out, but I don’t have a choice right now.

As the water washed over her body, blood and dirt ran down the drain. “Relax, baby girl. I’ve got this”, I told her, stopping her from washing her hair. I gently scrubbed my fingers through her hair, massing her scalp. I rinsed more blood and dirt from her hair before appling shampoo.

Mara placed her hands on my hips, making my breath hitch. “Thank you, Luca”, she whispered, as I rinsed her hair of the shampoo. “For what, sweetheart?”, I asked. “For saving me, and taking care of me”, she answered in a small voice, leaning her head back slightly to make rinsing easier.

“I would do anything for you, bambina”, I whispered. I put the conditioner in her hair to let it sit while I washed her body. I was sure to be gentle as I rubbed her down with soap. My hands gliding effortlessly over every dip and curve. Her skin was like silk against my rough hands, driving me absolutely mad.

I love the fact that she has some meat on her bones, making her body perfectly soft and plump. “I fucking love your body, la mia bella moglie (my beautiful wife)”, my voice was guttural, as I held onto my last bit of self control. She hummed, resting one hand on my shoulder as the other laced through my hair, while I washed her legs.

I stood straight, not lingering anywhere for too long and washed up her stomach and over her breasts. “How do you feel, gattina (kitten)?”, I whispered softly. She sighed, as I started rinsing her hair and body. “I’m tired, and a little sore. But I am okay. It could have been much worse”, she mumbled. She’s right about that, it could have been so much worse.

I lightly touched the bruise that was forming on her neck, from where that fucking bastard grabbed her neck. “I will kill him slowly”, I said low, vowing to her that he would get what he deserves. Mara tilited her head to the side as she looked up at me with her sparkling hazel eyes.

“What is it, gattina?”, I asked, pulling her body flush against mine. I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead agaisnt hers to compose myself. Mara rubbed one of her hands down my necl and chest, resting her hand over my heart. This time I couldn’t contain my groan. “We need to find out who that woman was, first”, she said softly. I smiled maliciously, “Oh, I plan to, my love. And when I do, she dies too”, I said, confidently. Mara connected her lips to mine, catching me by surprise.