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.

and only slightly controlled. “What’s going

she saw guilt flicker across his

“Sutton-”

trailed off, heart hammering. “I thought it was for the media. But it’s not the press you’re

his mouth,

she said. “Tell me what the hell Nicole has done

sighed, stepping forward. “She called after she

“What?”

day. She’s made threats. I was worried about you and Miles. The press stirred everything up. I have someone trailing her.

tried

said quickly. “My man lost Irer for a few minutes

at him. Too stunned to show him how pissed she was right

kept me unaware that my son could be in danger,

were emotionally wrecked,” he said, jaw tightening.

she snapped. “You think keeping me in the dark is protecting me? My son

stepping toward her now, eyes sharp. “You nearly died giving birth. You’re healing. You’re pumping milk and trying to spend every spare second with our son.” His voice strained. “I didn’t want to add to

both.”

crashed into me anyway, didn’t it? I just left my baby in a hospital room, and now you’re telling me the woman who hates me and tried to sabotage my life is trying to get near him? God, Luca, how dare you decide what I can and can’t

of her neck, pulling her to him, and kissed

was knocked out of her for a second

for a second and laughed. “This

again.

of her jaw while his other curved around her waist, pulling her toward him. She gasped against his mouth, fists pressed to his

was he. So she

is what I do best, Sutton. I keep the people I love safe. You were always doing so much. I wanted to take

of you.”

glassy, still

never lied,” he rasped. “I just withheld. It was to

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

the chance to breathe without another

what she always found when it came to Luca De Santis. He could be an arrogant son of a bitch… but

hand down her

“Absolutely.”