Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Luca didn’t move for a full hour after Sutton drifted back to sleep. She had gone to sleep soon after coming back from meeting the press. He really should go and see his father. He had been getting regular updates from his brother and had gone to see his father last night, but he had been asleep.

Her hand was still curled loosely in his, her breathing soft and even, and it was the only sound he wanted to hear for the rest of his life.

He sat on the side of her bed and just watched her.

Her lashes fluttered once, but she didn’t wake. Her mouth was slightly parted, and her hand would occasionally shift on the blanket, twitching, in sleep, she looked like herself again, only she was no longer pregnant.

And for the hundredth time, Luca felt it like a punch to the ribs: He could’ve lost her and their son Miles.

He hated to think what could have happened if the messenger had pushed her into traffic instead of just onto the footpath. He was still pissed that the police were unable to charge the little fucker with anything. The cyclist wasn’t going to get away with it, though. He had already arranged to buy the messenger service, and part of the sale conditions were that the messenger who had hit Sutton was fired. Never upset a De Santis male because they were known to go to extreme lengths to get revenge.

He let go of her hand carefully and exhaled through his nose, running both palms down his thighs.

He shouldn’t have everything he wanted right now… not after what he had done to her. Not this future. Not after everything. And still, somehow… she’d said yes. He looked down at the flash of her ring on her finger as it rested on the blankets. He didn’t deserve her, but he promised himself he would never take her for granted. He would treat her as she deserved.

His phone buzzed once in his jacket pocket, the vibration more of a low hum in the quiet of the room.

He pulled it out, squinting at the screen.

Chief Reynolds… Lenox Hill Hospital

He looked at Sutton again, still asleep, her hand now slack across her stomach.

He rose, careful not to jostle the bed, and stepped into the hallway. He closed the door halfway behind him.

Then he answered the phone. He hadn’t wanted to wake her.

“This is Luca De Santis.”

“Ah, Mr. De Santis, thank you for accepting the call so quickly.” The chief of staff sounded uneasy. Apologetic already.

“I’m guessing you are calling me because you have something?” Luca said, his tone clipped. “About the patient file breach.”

“Yes. First, let me say how sincerely sorry we are. That this happened under our care is unconscionable. This never should’ve-”

“Who?” Luca cut in.

He wasn’t in the mood for a speech. Not when Sutton’s reputation had been dragged through the tabloids while recovering.

There was a pause.

said finally. “She works post–op on rotation. We confronted her this afternoon. She and will be reported for violation of

clenched his jaw.

She has

went to a fashion show in Milan on a whim with a friend of hers. Sutton or, rather, ‘Audrey‘ as she remembered her, was

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Chapter 142

Luca’s stomach twisted.

put it together until she saw you. And she sold the story to one of those celebrity leaks for what she now admits was ‘more money than she’d seen in a year.’ She was caught when the electronic audit trail flagged her repeated views of Sutton’s

wanted to put his fist

certain she acted

yes. No other log–ins were flagged. We’re still combing all related security access for the

him. He didn’t owe Reynolds

facility better own its damn mistake.” He paused, voice suddenly so

quickly. “We’re already preparing

Luca hung up.

quiet hallway for a beat longer than necessary, staring at the opposite wall. He was glad this nurse had been caught. He and Roman would still look into the

made his way to another room on the same floor but on the other side of

once and

the window. Bella perched at the edge of Nick’s bed, speaking softly to her father–in–law. Her hand was wrapped gently around his, and Nick’s eyes were open, watching

Luca straightened.

Nick’s gaze met his.

expensive scotch, and cigars. He had quit smoking ten years ago but cut back on his drinking. Helping him trim down. But some of the damage had

“Good timing,” Nick rasped.

was rough. But it

interrupt,” Luca

“I’m

nod, squeezing his shoulder once as

the chair beside

a long moment, they

said hoarsely, “So. Your

over by the

Chapter 142

well. “Sutton in a model any long. Dad,

“And the baby? Antonio tells me I have

it land. “We have

brows rose slightly. “Expected a more… classical

miles Sutton and I had to travel to