“Lean on my shoulder.” I opened the front door, holding it open as the two of us fumbled our way outside. Once he was in the back seat, I set Sofia in his arms, then drove like a bat out of hell toward Enzo’s place. I gave him a heads-up we were on our way, and he put a call in for the family doctor to meet us at the house. If at all possible, we avoided going to a hospital. They kept records and asked questions, and we weren’t a fan of either of those things. While Sofia could be treated at home, Michael’s injury would likely involve surgery, and thus, a trip to the hospital.

When we arrived at the house, one of our guys was waiting and ready to get Michael the medical attention he needed. I gave his hand a firm shake, assuring him I’d send updates about Sofia. He wasn’t crazy about leaving, but I told him he’d only hurt her if he bled to death rescuing her. He called me some choice names but begrudgingly agreed to go.

As soon as we were inside, I asked Enzo if we could use his master bathtub. Carlotta led me to the bathroom where she helped me start a bath and undress Sofia. As we removed her clothes, she began to shiver, tremors shaking her entire body.

“Take care of my baby,” Carlotta choked out, her face lined with worry.

“She’ll be fine as soon as we get her warmed up, and the best way to do that is in the bath. Water conducts heat far better than air,” I said, my words meant to reassure me just as much as her.

She nodded, then quietly let herself out of the room. I quickly undressed and carried Sofia into the warm bath. The water felt almost cool to me, but we didn’t want it too warm so that it hurt her already traumatized body. As I eased us into the water, she let out a small whimper. My heart soared at hearing her show any sign of life, even if it sounded pained. I positioned her back against my front, laid her head back on my chest, and held her close.

Seeing her so weak and fragile, I would have given anything to help her, my life included. Ending things between us had nearly killed me, but at least I’d known she was alive and well. I wasn’t sure how I would survive if I lost her for good.

“Come on, Ladybug. Come back to me,” I crooned in her ear. “I just got you back; don’t leave me now.”

For a half hour, I worked on warming her body. I would let out some of the water, then add back in warmer water to reheat the bath. Slowly, her tremors eased as her seizing muscles warmed and relaxed, but she never woke. Eventually, I lifted her from the water, slipping on the robes Carlotta had left for us, then carried her up to her bedroom.