Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 146

Sutton cried the moment she stepped out of the NICU. She was crying because she was leaving Miles in the hospital while she went home, She didn‘ care that it was only temporary. Her arms felt wrong without him in them. Even though she hadn’t been with him all night, it still felt wrong somehow,

She knew he was safe and well fed. Monitored around the clock, supported by more machines and sensors and trained professionals. The NICU nurses. knew her by name. They adored Miles.

And yet–it still felt like she was walking away from her heart.

She pressed one hand to her chest as she returned to her room to gather the last of her things. Luca had left her a few minutes ago to talk to Antonio, who was seeing their father. Sutton had already been in to see Nick.

A nurse smiled gently, not asking why she was crying. They always knew.

“You’ll be back tomorrow,” the nurse said softly, folding Sutton’s discharge papers into a folder with the hospital logo.

“I know,” Sutton whispered. “I just… I don’t know how to go home without him.”

“You go knowing he is getting the best of care,” the nurse said kindly, “and you need to take care of mum now. And sleeping in a hospital is never the best rest. That’s what keeps you both strong.”

It wasn’t enough. But it was what she had.

Outside her room, Luca was pacing near the window, his phone pressed to his ear, back turned to her. He wasn’t speaking loudly, but his voice was low and firm. He was distracted, focused on whoever was on the other end of the phone. She paused in the doorway, suitcase handle in hand.

“Yes… double rotation. I don’t care if the hospital already screens employees. I want our people inside the NICU too, t just the hall. I want eyes specifically on the pediatric floor.” A pause. “Yes, Miles. He’s the priority… no access unless approved.”

Sutton’s blood chilled.

What the hell?

She stepped forward slowly, her breath caught in her throat.

Luca didn’t notice her yet. Still facing the window, phone clutched in his hand, his other hand resting flat on the glass as he spoke calmly but with

urgency.

“And make sure you keep her photo circulated. If anyone resembling her gets within two floors of that wing… I want to be alerted. Immediately.”

Photo? Of her?

Her stomach sank with understanding. Nicole.

Luca hung up.

going on?” Her son was in danger,

but she saw guilt flicker across

“Sutton-”

said it was security. I thought-” she trailed off, heart hammering. “I thought it was for the media. But it’s not the press you’re worried about,

opened his mouth,

“Tell me what the hell Nicole has done

stepping forward. “She called after she

“What?”

detain her any longer. She has to report to the police station every day. She’s made threats. I was worried about you and Miles. The press stirred

tried to

close she got,” he said quickly. “My man lost Irer for a few minutes before she reappeared on the

him. Too stunned to show him how pissed she

asked, voice harder now. “You kept me unaware that my son could be in danger, and you

wrecked,” he said, jaw tightening.

is handling it?” she snapped. “You think keeping me in the dark is protecting me? My son could have been in

You’re pumping milk and trying to spend every spare second with our son.” His voice strained. “I didn’t want to add to that. I could protect

both.”

hospital room, and now you’re telling me the woman

neck, pulling her to him, and

The breath was knocked out of her for a second before she even realized they had gone from arguing to

him, but he pulled back for a second and laughed. “This hissy fit you’re having is a real turn–on.” Before closing his mouth

again.

toward him. She gasped against his mouth, fists pressed to his chest, her fury flooding with need and heartbreak and more than a little

but so was he. So she didn’t feel so

is what I do best, Sutton. I keep the people I love safe. You were always

of you.”

still angry. “That doesn’t mean

just withheld.

“You don’t get to decide what’s too much

this, I needed to give you the chance to breathe without another landmine under your feet. I was going to tell

Luca De Santis.

a hand down her face. “So

“Absolutely.”