CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Thomas Thompson.

When Christopher and Dylan left to pick up Elisabeth's friend, we stayed here, watching her sleep. I feel queasy, I can't stop looking at her and keep my stomach from churning at the sight of every bruise spread across her body. I can't stop thinking about what she's feeling after being in the clutches of those motherfuckers and I think I'm going to throw up. Why can't anyone be happy in this fucking life? Why can't anyone love? Why does everyone judge us and try to ruin our happiness? This has always been the case. Our parents were killed at the hands of people who were jealous because they loved each other, they couldn't bear to see their love shine through. For the mafia, love is a shitty feeling that doesn't deserve this attention.

Holy shit!

The guilt eats away at me. We made the mistake of not prioritizing her safety. We were so focused on having her again that we completely ignored the one thing that was valuable to all of us. Because of us, she's here now, lying weak on the hospital bed, her whole body violated. My heart aches to see our wife in this state.

One thing that surprises me is to see Lorenzo's attachment to her. Alright, I don't judge, I feel the same way, but I really thought he would be the one to keep the furthest away in this thing. Shit, why do we treat her like crap? Why do we hurt her feelings? Why did we make her cry? Why didn't Dylan shove his sadism up her ass and spare her the beatings? I regret so much for doing these things with the woman we like.

Resigned, I face the bed and watch over his sleep. She sleeps so soundly that I feel a little better than that, at least she's having a peaceful night. I approach her and run my hand through her hair carefully, making a small caress.

“I'm sorry, my beautiful, that we didn't protect you as we should have. I smile a little sadly and kiss her forehead affectionately. “If I could turn back time, I would have stopped those bastards from getting close to you. You are everything to us, Elisabeth, I hope you know that.

I hear the door open and I turn to see who it is, spotting a girl who I believe is Elisa's friend. She looks devastated and she wasn't the only one to look that way.

“E''e''elisa.” She walks slowly over to the bed, her eyes watering. “Lisa. '' Take our girl's hand and start crying.

I look at Dylan, who nods and I soon understand it to be a breach to give them privacy, sigh and follow him out of the room, leaving them alone.

“What do we do now, Dylan? I ask, getting everyone's attention. “We have many enemies who will certainly want to harm her if they find out about her. I don't want all that to happen again, I know you don't either. My eyes itch, watery.

I look at Lorenzo, who wipes a tear that escapes on his cheek and doesn't say anything, staying quiet in his corner.

“I know that, brother, I know it very well. We're all worried about what they're going to do with her, but the problem is, I don't know what else to do, I really don't. Dylan responds, lowering his head.

We are silent in the face of the situation and I hear Lorenzo's sniffles. He can be cold and scary when he wants to be, but he's also very sensitive, after all, he's been through something similar in the past. I approach him and hug him.

“It's not the only fault, brother. In truth, we've all made mistakes about Elisa's safety, but she has us by her side and we're going to fight to get her back on her feet and feeling good again, even if it takes years.

Everyone nods.

“Dylan, when she gets released from this hospital, we're all going to travel and try to make her feel better. We can even take a friend to keep her company, I believe that having another woman around can make her feel good. Christopher proposes, drawing our attention to him. '' She deserves it.

“I think so too, Dylan, let's leave our work in Marcos' hands for a few days. He'll take care of everything here, that's for sure. '' Alex speaks.

'' All right, we'll organize this trip soon. We will also ask Jessica what she thinks about this, after all, she is a psychologist and knows what is good and bad for someone who has suffered terrible sexual abuse.

Everyone is in total agreement, we sigh and decide to return to the room to wait for our girl to wake up again.

****

A few hours pass, and our girl woke up. She was taken away for further tests, and meanwhile we discussed the supposed trip with her friend, anxious to hear her opinion.

'' I agree to this trip. It will be good for her to be distracted, I believe she will have enough nightmares about what happened. '' Comment, all crestfallen. “I'll be honest. I think it's great that she trusts you enough to allow you to be around her, just don't push your luck. Let her herself come to you and preserve her from the touches, this can affect her if you go overboard '' he explains, now with his chin up and looking seriously at each one of us.

'' All good. '' We answered in unison.

“And one very important little thing: no way let other men get close to her but yourselves.

We obviously agree with her. We would never allow another man near her, she would stay away from anyone who inhabits this world for too long.