Chapter 13

All eyes were on them when they entered the dining room and was escorted to the table he requested. It was the one by the window, with a view of the water and boats going by. He ordered her a non-alcoholic wine and a whiskey for himself. He sat next to her, resting his hand on her knee.

"Everyone is staring at us, why?" she asked.

"They have probably heard that I am married so they are curious about you. Just ignore them and enjoy your dinner."

"I'm not used to being stared at, it's unnerving."

"Then we should give them something to stare at," he said, smirking.

"What do you mean?" she asked shyly.

"This," he said.

Putting his hand behind her neck pulled her close and kissed her. It was one that lasted for several minutes before he released her.

"That ought to give them something to gossip about."

Blushing she lifted her eyes and glanced around, some were still staring, others had stopped. A couple of women were looking at her with jealousy clearly written on their faces.

Gabriel was right, she needed to be stronger around people and not let them make her feel worthless. She boldly stared back at them. Letting them know he was her man.

They had an amazing meal despite the unwanted stares and whispers. As they were leaving and heading towards the car two men approached them, one was waving a knife. Gabriel stood protectively in front of her.

"Give us your money and jewelry," the one with the knife shouted.

"OK, just take it easy, I don't want any trouble here," Gabriel said, his hands were up and he motioned that he was going to reach into his pocket for his wallet.

The other guy walked around him, getting close to Paige.

"Give me your jewelry," he said and made a grab for her.

"Don't touch her," Gabriel said and lunged at the man and there was a scuffle.

She let out a scream when both men tackled him and stabbed he fell down. His face was pale and he grabbed his side. The two men got scared when she screamed and when people came running over they took off running.

Getting on her knees next to him she looked down and saw the blood on his shirt.

"Someone help us." She cradled him in her arms, crying out for someone to call for help. Taking off her sweater she held it against his stab wound.

"Gabriel hold on. Help is coming, I'm here darling," she said, stroking his head. He was so quiet, his eyes kept closing and she knew she had to keep him awake.

"Stay with me, please Gabriel I need you, I love you," she cried, her tears flowing.

The ambulance arrived and they were taken to the hospital. She was relieved that some of the staff spoke English. He was rushed into surgery and she was made to wait in the waiting room.

A kind old nurse saw the blood on her hands and brought her some water and a cloth. Paige was so upset she let the nurse wash the blood from her.

"There you go, that's much better," she said in broken English. "Do not worry dear, he is in good hands. He is your husband right?"

Paige nods. "Yes, married almost two months."

"Ah, newlyweds, I get you some water yes?"

"Thank you," she said as she broke down and cried again. She took the glass of water and thanked the nurse. She wasn't sure how long she sat there till the doctor came out.

"Mrs. Maestri, your husband will be fine. We managed to stop the bleeding and no real damage has been done."

"Thank God. Please, can I see him?"

"Of course, he's being taken to his room as we speak. I will have someone show you the way. He will be a bit out of it because of the drugs but I'm sure he'll be glad to have you by his side."

She walked into the room and he turned his head to look at her. Rushing to his side she leans over him, brushing his hair from his forehead.

"Oh Gabriel, what were you thinking when you tackled that man. You could have been killed."

His tongue felt thick, making it hard for him to speak, that and he was groggy as hell.

"No one touches you." He reached up and wiped her cheek. "Don't cry." He felt his eyes getting heavy and was fighting to stay awake.

"Call for a car to take you home."

"I'm not going anywhere without you."

Those were the last words he heard before the drugs overtook him and he fell asleep.

Hours later he woke up and found her sitting on a chair by his bed. She was asleep with her head on the bed and her hand holding his.

Had he been dreaming when he heard her say she loved him? he must have been.

There was no way she could be in love with him, he was evil and treated her badly at times.

She opens her eyes when she felt his thumb caressing her hand.

"Gabriel," she said as fresh tears filled her eyes. "You had me so scared."

"I'm alright."

"No you're not, you've been stabbed. Why didn't you hire another bodyguard to take the place of the other one?"

"I can take care of myself."

"You're so damn stubborn," she said. Placing her lips on his kissed him. "My demon, what am I going to do with you?"

"You need to go home and get some rest."

"You're in no position to tell me what to do. I'm staying right here until they let you go home so accept it."

He knew there was no way she would leave so he buzzed for a nurse. As he was well known they didn't keep him waiting and he gave the nurse orders.

"My wife is pregnant so have a bed brought in for her and something to eat. Also, have a doctor come in to examine her and the baby."

"You're in so much pain and yet you worry about me," she said, kissing his cheek.

She could have argued with him but it would be fruitless. She was surprised when a bed arrived within minutes a hot meal was shortly after. One of the nurses even gave her a fresh pair of scrubs to put on since her dress had blood on it.

Starving and knowing she had to eat for the sake of the baby dug into the meal. She saw him watching her eat and she felt guilty.

"This is really good but I can't give you any, they told me you can't have solids yet. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, I'll just enjoy this jello," he said, giving her a smile.

The doctor came in and checked her out and she was given the all-clear. He then informed Gabriel he could go home the next day as long as he agreed to stay in bed for a couple of days, they didn't want his stitches to rip open.

"You look hot in those scrubs, like a sexy young nurse," he said to her when the doctor left.

"Maybe I'll keep them and when I get you home I'll be your nurse and take care of you. You will do what the doctor says and stay in bed and I don't want any arguments from you."

"OK, you win," he said, yawning. "You look worn out angel, go lay down on the bed and get some sleep."

"I will if you will too."

Giving him a kiss she went and got into the bed next to him. Laying on her side she watched him as he slept. He acted like such a tough guy but he was just a man that could also be hurt and feel pain.

Without a second thought to his own safety, he jumped in between her and the mugger to protect her and almost got killed. He looked so exhausted after answering the police's questions and was glad that he was finally asleep.

The next day he was released from the hospital and his limo came and drove them home. She made him go right to bed and she took away his phone and laptop when he wanted to do some work.

The nurse had shown her how to properly clean and apply his bandage so that she could do it herself at home.

"Paige, let me at least have my phone."

"No, you are to have complete rest for the next few days." She smiled wickedly.

"Do not even try to get out of bed or I'll tie you to it."

"It'll be my job to tie you to the bed and when I'm better I'm going to do just that. Let's call it payback for you being so bossy." He grinned. "No one treats me this way and gets away with it. I will show you no mercy."

Smiling she sits next to him.

"Bring it on my demon," she said and just as she got him settled down there was a knock at the door.

"Mr. Vozzella is here for your lesson," the butler told her.

She looked at Gabriel.

"I completely forgot about today's lesson. I'll go down and tell him it's canceled for today."

"You'll do no such thing."

"But Gabriel."

"No buts, he is here already and you should not miss it. There is no need for you to stay with me every minute. I will be sleeping so it will give you something to do."

She let out a sigh.

"OK, but only if you promise me you'll stay in bed and rest."

"Paige, will you let me have my phone?"

She went over and leaning over him planted a kiss on his lips.

"Not a chance. You sleep and don't you dare get out of this bed. I'll be checking on you." She smiled when she saw the scowl on his face, he was not used to being told what to do.

"Ah, Paige, I heard about what happened. I do hope your husband is doing well."

"Thank you, Antonio. He is recovering nicely. Though I'm having trouble getting him to stay put and keeping him away from his phone and laptop." She let out a small laugh. "I've had to hide them from him and he's not happy about it."

"Let's get started on your lesson."

Paige found it hard to concentrate. She wanted to check on Gabriel but it had only been an hour and if he was sleeping she didn't want to disturb him.

Antonio sensed she wasn't paying attention so he decided to use a different approach.

"Come with me," he said, taking her hand pulled her up off the sofa. "Your mind is not the lesson. We will take a walk outside to clear your head."

They walked through the garden and he used that time to teach her to say words of the things they saw. The clouds, the flowers, birds and other things he taught her to say. It seemed to help to be outdoors and in the fresh air. Stopping they sat down to take a break.

"Thanks for bringing me out here," she said, her eyes lowered.

"You look so sad Paige."

"I can't stop thinking about what happened, Gabriel could have been killed." Her shoulders shook when a sob escaped her mouth.

"But he didn't, he survived. Your husband is lucky to have such a loving and caring wife. I hope he realizes how very special you are." He used his finger to lift her head up, his finger remained on her chin. "If you were my wife I would love and cherish you every day."

She moved away from him and stood up, not comfortable with the way he touched her or the things he was saying.

"I'm sorry, I want to end our lesson for today. I need to be with my husband. See yourself out," she said and hurried inside.

He was asleep when she got to their room so she walked quietly over to the bed and laid down next to him. Laying on her side she watched him.

A dark stubble of hair was growing on his face and she wondered if he would let her shave him.

When he opened his eyes she ran her fingertips over the stubble.

"You need a shave, will you let me shave you?"

"Only if I can shave you too."

She gasped, a look of horror crossed her face.

"I don't have hair on my face."

"He laughed, she was so innocent he thought to himself.

"That's not where I was planning on shaving you," he said, winking at her.

Her face turned red and she smacked his arm. "Oh, you are so terrible."