Meanwhile, at the outside world where people weren't confined to the four corners of a particular place;
Matteo sat in the uncomfortable hospital chair beside Rafael's bed, scrolling through his phone while Rafael dozed lightly.
The private hospital room was luxurious, more like a hotel suite than a medical facility because it was a Lombardi on the sickbed.
Rafael stirred and opened his eyes. When he saw Matteo watching him, a small smile curved his lips.
"Hey, beautiful," Rafael said, his voice still a bit hoarse.
Matteo immediately put his phone down and leaned forward, taking Rafael's hand. "Hey yourself. How are you feeling?"
"Better. Much better than yesterday." Rafael shifted slightly in the bed, wincing just a little.
"Good." Matteo squeezed his hand. "I'm so glad the injury wasn't worse. When I saw all that blood, I thought-"
"I know." Rafael cut him off gently. "But I'm fine. The doctor said I was lucky. The bottle hit just above... well, let's just say my favorite parts are all intact."
Matteo let out a laughed that sounded slightly nervous but genuine. "Trust you to worry about your dick even in a hospital bed."
"It's a valid concern. Especially since I have such a beautiful fiancé waiting for me." Rafael said with a grin.
He pulled Matteo closer and kissed him softly. Matteo melted into it, relieved and grateful that Rafael really was okay.
When they pulled apart, Matteo's expression turned more serious. "What about... him? Elian?"
Rafael's expression hardened immediately. "What about him?"
"I mean... what's going to happen to him? He's still in jail, right? At the police station?" It was more of statement from Matteo than a question.
"Oh, he's in jail alright. And he's going to rot there until I have a change of heart and decide to forgive him." Rafael said darkly.
"Which will be...?"
"Never." Rafael's voice was cold. "He attacked me in my own home. He could have killed me. Why the fuck would I forgive that?"
Matteo nodded quickly. "You're right. You're absolutely right. He deserves everything he gets."
And he meant it as he pondered in his mind that Elian had ruined everything with his dramatic entrance, his pathetic declarations of love, his violent outburst. If he had just accepted the situation quietly, none of this would have happened.
"Besides," Matteo added, "it's not like anyone's going to ask after him. He's an orphan, you know. He came to this city alone like a stray cat with no owner. No family, no real friends. Nobody's going to wonder where he went or care that he's locked up."
Rafael's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Perfect. Then he can die there for all I care."
Just then, Rafael's phone beeped on the nightstand. He reached for it, wincing slightly at the movement, and read the message on the screen.
His expression immediately darkened into a deep frown.
"What's wrong?" Matteo asked with concern.
Rafael stared at the phone for a long moment, his jaw clenching. Then he looked up at Matteo, his eyes cold.
"There's someone I need to get rid of."
The way he said it so casual made the hair on the back of Matteo's neck stand up.
Matteo swallowed hard, but he kept his expression neutral. He didn't look scared.
Well, he couldn't afford to look scared.
Because he knew exactly what being in the midst of the Lombardi family meant.