Stefan carried her cradled protectively in his arms to the guest room opposite his room, that the staff had prepared for their arrival and gently placed Lilly on top of the silk sheets that covered the queen-sized bed.
"The Doctor's here Boss shall I send him in?" Marcus asked and Stefan not taking his eyes off his angel or letting go of her delicate hand nodded in
response.
"Mr. Marconi, what seems to be the problem, have another of your men been shot or stabbed?" The doctor asked as he entered the room trying to assess what supplies he will need but as Stefan and Lilly's unconscious form came into view the doctor gaped open-mouthed at the terrifying Mob Boss kneeling on the floor who was looking so lovingly at the unknown woman on the bed, it was not how he ever imagined seeing a man with Stefan's fierce and bloodthirsty reputation. The doctor's mouth was quickly closed when Marcus stood behind him and gave him a gentle shove in Stefan's direction and he remembered despite the current soft domesticated appearance of Stefan if he annoyed him he would kill him without a second thought and so the doctor walked towards Stefan quickly.
"Mr. Marconi, how can I be of service today?" The doctor asked carefully to keep his curiosity about the girl and Stefan's domesticated appearance off of his expression and out of his tone.
"Thank you for coming so quickly doctor, this is my ... guest I am afraid she recently received some rather shocking and distressing news and she fainted afterward." Stefan said in a tone filled with worry.
"I see, how long ago did she faint, and did she hit her head when she
did?" The doctor asked.
"About twenty minutes ago and no she didn't."
"Okay then if she didn't hit her head you don't need to worry about a concussion when she wakes, may I check her vital signs?" The doctor asked getting the distinct impression that Stefan had some sort of claim over the woman and not wishing to anger him by touching her without his permission.
her.
"Yes," Stefan said still holding Lilly's hand and not taking his eyes off
The doctor proceeded to take Lilly's blood pressure, listen to her heart, and check her pulse. " Everything seems normal there is no cause for alarm, however, she may be distressed when she wakes as she starts to ...recall...the news she received, it is unlikely she will faint again but if she does make sure she doesn't hit her head and make sure she drinks plenty of water to stay hydrated-slow sips. I will leave you a week's prescription for some sleeping pills and some antidepressants- they are commonly used to treat anxiety in case they are needed. If she is still feeling anxious in a week call me again and I will do another house call to check on her and I can
recommend a therapist if needed to help reduce any ...stress." The doctor said keeping his tone respectful and his eyes submissively lowered.
"Are you sure that's all she needs? She will wake up then it's nothing serious?" Stefan asked to assure himself.
"Yes there is nothing to worry about, MR Marconi, as I said her vital's are normal and from the sounds of it, it's nothing more serious than a fainting spell brought on by stress, shock, or panic. She will recover well enough just ...be patient with her and try to provide as stress-free of an environment... as possible to prevent it from happening again." The Doctor assured him and Stefan wanting to be alone with his angel now he knew she would be okay signaled to Marcus who paid the Doctor then escorted him from the property.
"I have never said this to anyone before but I am truly sorry Lilly," Stefan said as he sat in the chair next to her bed to wait on her waking up, and an hour later she started to do exactly that.
Lilly's eyes began to flutter open and as she came more alert she noticed a strong male hand seemed to be holding hers... 'odd, is it Matt?' she thought still confused.
Her gaze slowly traveled up the owner of the hand's arm, as she didn't want to make the headache she seemed to be suffering from worse by moving too quickly. His wrist was adorned with an expensive-looking designer watch and whilst it was no doubt fashionable and would be something Matt would wear, Lilly didn't think Matt could afford it...could he? Any thoughts of it being Matt completely vanished as her stare traveled above the mystery mans wrist up to his arms.
The mystery man's arm was definitely not Matts, it was tanned and extremely muscular, whereas Matt's although well-toned, had nowhere near
as well defined muscles- in fact, no man she had ever seen had that
well-defined muscles. The arm also had a large tattoo of a knight in amour in front of vivid green and dark grey swirled background that had a green flag with a majestic, life-like eagle on it and it was truly stunning. So stunning that Lilly couldn't help but gawk at it admiringly.
"It's a tattoo of my family crest, the Marconi's. In Italian, the meaning of the name Marco or Marconi is Mars, Roman god of war, hence the small roman solider under it." Stefan explained seeing Lilly's interest and using it as an excuse to try and engage with her to keep her calm.
Upon hearing Stefan's sexy voice Lilly snapped her gaze upwards, where she made eye contact with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen that seemed to stare back at her with an odd mixture of lust, protectiveness, and dominance and the haziness in Lilly's brain suddenly cleared "You're the Mob Boss... I am your prisoner!" Lilly gasped as all the memories came flooding back to her and she scooted as far back as she could on the bed to protect herself.
"Lilly, it's okay... I am not going to hurt you, you're safe here," Stefan said as he tried to approach her to give her comfort and she flinched and whimpered in response.
"I promise no one will hurt you here, I know you're frightened but there's no need to be your not a prisoner but my guest for the next week and under my protection," Stefan said in a tone so soft that Lilly began to relax a little.
"I am not a prisoner?" Lilly questioned confused and Stefan shook his head and gave her what he hoped was a friendly smile.
"Then I can go home, tonight?" Lilly asked confused but hopeful causing Stefan to frown before he responded.
"NO. As I explained your brother and I made a deal and the deal was, in
exchange for me not killing him straight away I would give him a chance to
recover the money he owed first and you would be my guest for the week as
collateral. I am many things but I am not a liar, when I give my word I keep it
...ALWAYS." Stefan replied stiffly trying to control his temper.
Tears fell down Lilly's face as she was reminded of her brother's
betrayal." And if my brother doesn't manage to get the money he owes or
doesn't even come back?" Lilly asked remembering his threat earlier in the
day but holding out hope he had a change of heart.
Stefan sighed and paused briefly "If he runs i will track him down and
make his death even worse and if he doesn't get my money ... either way,
you both will die." Stefan replied coldly before he left the room without
warning, thinking as left that this may be the first time in his life when he
doesn't keep his word.