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.

finally. “She works post–op on rotation. We confronted her this afternoon. She and will

his jaw.

She has been

Europe. She’d been on holiday in France last year. Apparently went to a fashion show in Milan on a whim with a friend of hers.

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Chapter 142

Luca’s stomach twisted.

“She didn’t 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

put his fist through

certain she

related security access for the next forty–eight hours, but we wanted you personally

He didn’t

firing. And your facility better own its damn mistake.” He paused, voice suddenly so still it

said quickly. “We’re

Luca hung up.

hallway for a beat longer than necessary, staring at the opposite wall. He was glad this nurse had

his way to another room on the same floor but on the other side of the nurses‘ station.

knocked once

window. Bella perched at the edge of Nick’s bed, speaking softly to her

Luca straightened.

Nick’s gaze met his.

in a hospital bed. This was not the strong man he remembered as a child. His father had lived an indulgent life of food, 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 already been done. He wanted

“Good timing,” Nick rasped.

rough.

to interrupt,” Luca said, moving

interruptions,” Nick muttered. “I’m glad

his shoulder once as she walked to Antonio. They spoke in hushe two

chair beside the

long moment, they just sat

said hoarsely, “So.

the

Chapter 142

let it overcome him. His father had almost died as well. “Sutton in a model any long. Dad, and d a name, as you well know. I would like you to

the baby? Antonio tells me I have a

let it land. “We have

slightly. “Expected a more… classical

the miles Sutton