Chapter 38: Chapter 38

When Dario walks into the bedroom looking like hell, I shoot up and rush to his side.

“What the hell happened to you?” When I get a good look at him and notice blood on his shirt, I gasp, “Jesus, Dario! Did you get shot?”

“No.” He grips my chin with his fingers, and I smell gunpowder. Locking eyes with me, he says, “I’m fine. Two bullets grazed me. It’s nothing serious.”

“Let me look at you,” I mutter as I yank my chin free and start to unbutton his shirt.

He lets me tug the fabric off, and I exhale a breath of relief when I see the grazed skin on his side.

“You’re so damn lucky there’s no bullet,” I snap as I shoot him a glare. “I swear to God, if you ever die on me, I’m bringing you back so I can kill you myself.”

“One grazed me on my back as well,” he says as if it’s something to be proud of.

“What?!” I dart behind him, and seeing the red welt across his back, I slap him against the shoulder. “Get your ass in the bathroom so I can clean the wounds.”

“Scrapes,” he corrects me.

I glare at him, and noticing the grin on his face, I shake my head. “What the hell are you smiling about?”

“You.” He takes hold of my hip and pulls me closer. “I love how you’re fussing over me.”

“I’m not fussing over you. I’m fighting with you.”

“Fussing…” He kisses my left cheek. “Fighting…” Another kiss on my right cheek. “Same thing.” When he leans in to kiss me on the mouth, I pull away and walk into the bathroom.

“Tesoro,” He chuckles as he follows after me, “I’m fine. Don’t be mad at me.”

“Have you heard of a bulletproof vest?” I ask as I dig the first aid kit out of the cabinet beneath the sink.

“We forgot.”

I shoot another glare his way as I open the kit and take out the antiseptic wipes. “Come here.”

He moves closer, and without any warning, I slap the antiseptic wipe against his side.

When he jerks away, I mutter, “It wouldn’t hurt right now if you’d been wearing a bulletproof vest. Stand still.”

This time around, I work much gentler as I clean the grazed skin on his side and back.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“Telling me you love me won’t get you out of trouble,” I mumble as I clean the abrasions.

“You going to spank me?” he asks with a teasing tone.

“It sure as hell won’t be kinky.”

When I’m done, I dispose of the wipes and wash my hands before turning to face him again.

Framing his jaw with my palms, I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his mouth. “Promise me you’ll be more careful and always wear a bulletproof vest.”

“I promise.”

When I pull away, he opens the faucets in the shower and starts to undress while mentioning, “You said you had exciting news?”

“Oh, right!” I hop onto the counter next to the sink and take a seat. “I got an assistant manager position at the restaurant. Skylar was so nice. I can’t wait to work there.”

He gives me a quick kiss, then says, “Congratulations, Tesoro.”

“Aaaand…” Excitement bubbles in my chest.

He steps beneath the spray and lets the water rush over his body, then asks, “There’s more news?”

“Yes. I’ve decided to open a soup kitchen.” I clap my hands together.

Dario turns to face me, lifting an eyebrow while washing his body. “A soup kitchen?”

“Tyrone, who, by the way, I’m calling Dad now, said he’d help me. We stopped by a church, and the pastor was super positive about the idea. He could organize volunteers to help.”

I suck in a breath of air, but before I can continue, he says, “Damn, you were busy while I was at work.”

I swing my legs back and forth, a happy smile on my face. “I want to put some of the money you gave me to good use. Give back to my community.”

“Let me know if you need more funds to get the business up and running. I’m sure all the guys would love to donate to a good cause.”

“You think so?”

He nods as he closes the faucets and grabs a towel to dry himself.

“I have a list of things to do. I need to find cooks, and a supplier for food, and I’ll probably have to buy a ton of plates and utensils.”

Dario presses another kiss to my mouth to silence me, then mentions, “We can hire a team to help you with all the work.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and stare at him with all the love I feel. “Thank you.” I lock my legs around his waist and pull him closer. “You don’t think my idea to open a soup kitchen is stupid or too big a project to take on?”

“No.” Picking me up, he carries me to the bed and lays me down on my side of the mattress while continuing, “I think it’s an amazing idea. I just don’t want you working yourself to death.”

“Okay.”

Walking around the bed, he throws the covers back and lies down beside me. I crawl beneath the blankets and adjust them over his body before I get comfortable.

He turns so we’re lying face-to-face, then says, “You’re one hell of an amazing woman, Eden.”

I brush my fingers over the five o’clock shadow on his jaw. “You’re even more amazing.”

We’re quiet for a moment, just staring at each other, then I say, “Remember when I said I was worried we’d break up and I wouldn’t have anywhere to go? I’m not worried anymore. I know we’re going to make it as a couple.”

“Yeah? What made you change your mind?”

“You,” I whisper. “You’ve gone above and beyond for me and Tyrone, and seeing how kind and caring you are made me realize I can trust you not to break my heart.”

He shifts a little closer until there’s only an inch between our faces. “I love you with all of my heart, Tesoro.”

“I love you too, baby.”

We continue to stare at each other until he drifts off to sleep. Careful not to wake him, I leave the room to switch off all the lights in the apartment. I grab Bella from where she was sleeping on the couch and head back up the stairs.

Heading to the bedroom, I climb into bed again and wait for Bella to find a comfortable position by my feet before I scoot as close as I can to Dario without waking him.

I take a deep breath of his scent and when my sight adjusts to the dark, and I can see him a little clearer, I keep staring at his handsome face as I grow sleepy.

I don’t know what I did to deserve this man but thank you.

I send the prayer out into the universe, and with a heart filled with love and happiness, I fall asleep.