Chapter 13 - The Secret Recovery
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Over the next three months, the Russo mansion became a highly secretive fortress.
Dr. Sterling had completely vanished after a very brief, very painful "conversation" with Anthony at the warehouse. The DeLuca family, realizing their plot had been discovered, retreated to their heavily fortified compounds, bracing for a mafia war that seemed inevitably looming on the horizon.
But Damian didn't attack. Not yet.
He had a much more important battle to fight first.
With the toxic nerve blockers completely flushed from his system, Damian began aggressive, secret physical therapy. He brought in a trusted, private specialist from Europe who lived on the estate.
And Mia was there for every single session.
She had been officially promoted from a maid to Damian’s personal, highly-paid executive assistant. She managed his daily schedules, coordinated with his lieutenants, and stood by his side during his grueling recovery.
“Push, Damian,” Mia encouraged softly one late evening in the private estate gym. “You can do this.”
Damian was gripping the parallel walking bars, his muscular arms shaking with the effort. Sweat poured down his face. He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and focused every ounce of willpower he possessed into his dormant legs.
Slowly, agonizingly, he lifted his right foot. He moved it forward three inches and planted it on the mat.
He let out a ragged gasp of pain and triumph.
“Good,” the European specialist nodded approvingly. “That’s enough for today. The muscle memory is returning rapidly.”
Damian collapsed back into his wheelchair, his chest heaving, but a fierce, triumphant smile broke across his face. He looked up at Mia, who was beaming with pride, tears shining in her eyes.
“I took a step,” he breathed.
“You took a step,” she confirmed, handing him a towel.
In the quiet moments after the doctor left, Damian reached out and gently caught Mia’s hand. He didn't grip it with the terrifying strength of a mafia boss; he held it with the tender reverence of a man holding his salvation.
“I wouldn't be here without you,” he murmured, his dark eyes searching hers.
May you like
Mia’s heart fluttered dangerously. “You did the hard work, Damian.”
“No,” he disagreed softly, pulling her slightly closer. “You were the spark that woke me up in the dark.”
