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Tiruff tih the sadness of the room As one, we all leapt forward Axel and Levi ran to one side of his bed, and I the other

Stroking le to s and open his eyes A tear froht on his crucifix tattoo I used my thu his jaw line, I felt that delicious sensation of a pair of Italian dark eyes watching lanced up tointo a hooked smirk, Axel opened his split lips and rasped, "Carina…" with a relieved sigh

The endearment sounded like an answered prayer to ave him a watery smile, "Welcome back, querido…"

"What… What?" he tried to ask I shushed hi’s okay, you’re okay" I looked up at Austin and Levi standing anxiously on the other side of the bed And reassured, "We’re all okay"

Axel slowly followedhim to Austin and Levi "Fratelli…" he said quietly, slowly lifting up his hand

Austin was the first to reach for Axel’s hand, his head lowering until his forehead touched their clasped fingers "Axel… I’ sorry…"

"Vai bene," Axel replied He next looked at Levi "Lev…" he said with feeling I could see Axel’s eyes shining with unshed tears He loved that kid to death

Levi sluht, then his head hit thewith the force of his tears "I’m sorry, Axe… I’m so sorry…" he cried Austin released Axel’s hand Axel laid it on Levi’s head

Levi looked up as he did so and wrapped it in both of his hands "We should have trusted you"

Axel closed his eyes then opened theiven… you et it"

Austin shook his head "You’ve only ever protected us, Axe… I get that now…" Austin wiped his eyes with the heels of his hands and asked, "those sculptures, Axe… why didn’t you tell us…?"