Free Bella (A Sagatori Family Saga a Mafia Romance Book 4) by Kimberly Blalock

Bella
    The window fogged over from the rain as the water streamed the glass.
    “Bella, do you hear what I’m saying to you?” I could hear Chase asking me questions, talking at me and not to me. I wanted to rip his freaking throat out.
    My fists clenched then I snapped my head into his direction. “I’m not taking him off of life support... now or ever. My fingers laced with Jax’s. My grip tightened and my jaw clenched.
    Jax had been lying in the hospital bed for one week. He hadn’t woken up or fluttered his eyes no matter how many times I’d begged or prayed for him to do so. The bruises on his face and body were turning into a dulled black. The bullet wounds were mostly healing, the doctors said, but they were still horrible to look at.
    I hadn’t left Jax’s side since he’d been here, and I hadn’t planned to leave as long as he was here. He’d get better; he had to. My family depended on him coming back from this. So I’d wait right next to him, holding his hand and praying every minute of every day until his eyes opened.
    I knew that Chase was trying to do the right thing, but that was only the right thing for him. For me, the right thing was protecting Jax and our baby until he was able to do it himself.
    Chase and his mother argued in the hallway. She, of course, didn’t want me to take Jax off of life support, but Chase said he’d never want to be seen like this. He said that Jax had made him swear a blood oath that he would do what needed to be done if something like this ever happened. I hadn’t shared with anyone that I, in fact, was pregnant. Jax and I would tell them together. Soon . I was hopeful because hope was all that I had.
    I stood, released my hand from Jax’s, and stepped toward the door. Mrs. Moretti and Chase’s eyes pinned me. I drew in a deep breath. “Jax doesn’t need to hear that you’ve given up on him, Chase.” I stood tall while my hand clutched the door for support. “Do not mention this again in our presence. Jax needs everyone to be strong for him now more than ever, and if you can’t do that.” Mr. Moretti, Sal, Tony, and Emily also stood just outside the door with their eyes on me. I drew in another deep breath, this time for courage because I wasn’t sure I actually believed the words that came from my own lips. “Then I want you to leave and never come back. That goes for each and every one of you.”
    “Of course, Bella, of course. My Jax is strong, very strong and he will heal soon.” Jax’s mother had stepped forward. She was a very nice woman, but we hadn’t gotten close. Her boys were mammoni. She was a dedicated wife and mother I’d thought. She seemed to lack the power to overrule the men in her life. I’d never let that happen to myself. I’d always stand up to anyone for the things I believed in.
    “Bella, you can’t let him lay there like this. He wouldn’t want that.”
    I crossed my arms. “ I am his wife, Chase, and I’ll do as I see fit and you’d be wise to remember that.” I turned, trying to hide nausea that had been building and the vomit that lurked in the back of my throat.
    “He’s my brother, Bella! I’m blood, and I know what he’d want.”
    I didn’t know if I was nervous when my heart pounded in my chest or if I was angry, but either way, I was not going to let him continue to belittle my status as Jax’s wife. I’d put an end to that behavior.
    I held the doorframe as I turned back into his direction holding the vomit back. I swallowed and spoke, “I am Jax’s wife. I’ll be respected as such.” I held my ground, knowing as a woman in this life it meant that speaking my mind would certainly get me into some sort of trouble, but I had never let that stop me in the past and the future was no different. I held my ground meeting his glower.
    “Chase,” Mrs. Moretti held her arm out as Chase stepped closer to me. Anger flashed in his eyes. Was he going to hit me? “Time to go. Isabella, you call with any