Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

KATE

ICU is my least favorite place on the planet, which is exactly why Raymond sent me here. His suggestion of studying is a complete joke as the patient to nurse ratio is small for a reason.

“It says here, Angelo Cavaletti is the leader of the Cavaletti crime Family. Born and raised in Boston, he and his brother Dante were adopted by the former Don, Joseph Calveletti.”

I roll my eyes as I listen to Tiffany, a nurse I attended college with, read from the screen of her phone. According to Andi, she’d become a nurse solely to land herself a rich doctor, so far the only thing she’s landed is a case of gonorrhea.

“They are crazy if they think I’m going to take care of some…” She trails off, bringing her phone closer to her face. “Holy fuck, he is hot!” She exclaims, turning her phone to share with the rest of the staff who surround her.

She’s right about how attractive Angelo is, but dead wrong if she thinks she can get out of taking care of a patient because he’s a criminal.

“What about the brother, does it show his picture?” Lizette, one of the lab techs leans against the counter, her deep brown eyes wide with anticipation.

I wanted to tell her Dante was hot enough to melt her panties. Instead, I kept my mouth shut as I approach the counter. If I play my cards right, I could get in a ton of studying.

“He probably has a girlfriend, one of those possessive bitches. Those mafia guys always do. I, for one, am not willing to risk this face when she loses her shit over me innocently touching him.”

I want to laugh, as any innocence Tiffani possessed was lost a long time ago.

“Does it say what happened? Were the police involved?” Marie, one of the few LPNs this hospital employs. She is as sweet as can be, has all the innocence TIffani chucked, and sadly is scorned by the other nurses due to her lack of what they consider a “proper” degree. Personally, I’d rather have her at the bedside with me than any of the other nurses.

“Of course the police were involved, you idiot.” Tiffani chastises as she pockets her phone. “Honestly, the best outcome would be for him to die on the table.”

Unable to hold my tongue any longer, I step around the corner, tossing my bag onto the counter. “Best outcome for whom? Certainly not our patient.”

Tiffani studies me with her judgmental eyes. Her top lip curls up in disgust for a moment before her disposition morphs into something sinister.

“Fine, you take care of him.”

This is too easy, I thought to myself. “Fine,” I echo back. “On two conditions. One, Mr. Cavaletti is my only patient, and second, Marie is on my team.”

With a smile on my face, I stare at Tiffani, waiting for her to challenge me, a response I know won’t come. For as hard as she barks, her bite needs work.

“Marie and I will be getting room three ready for Mr. Cavaletti.” I nod toward the room on the opposite side of the room, grabbing my bag before Tiffani can figure out she’s been outsmarted.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Marie whispers as she falls in step beside me. “Tiffani may have her flaws, but she also has certain privileges in the unit.”

Keeping my focus forward, I round the first corner as I make my way to the supply closet.

“If by privilege you mean sucking doctor dick, then you should hear how they talk about her lack of oral skills.” Pressing my shoulder into the wooden door, I send Marie a wink as I push it open. I wasn’t being mean when I said this, guys are dogs when it comes to passing women like Tiffani around.

“No,” Marie draws out the word, her eyes growing wide as her hand clamps over her gaping mouth.

“Remember that the next time she tries to talk down to you.”

Marie and I fall into comfortable silence after we prepared the room. I anticipate Mr. Cavaletti will be in surgery for at least two hours and another one or two in recovery.

Tiffani passes by the door several times as I wait for word from the OR, her scowl growing deeper as she fails to gain my attention. No doubt she figured out she’d been outsmarted.

Twenty minutes before my shift was over the elevator doors open, two nurses and an exhausted looking Dante follow the gurney carrying Angelo. Snapping my attention toward Tiffani, I roll my eyes as I found a smug look on her face. Clearly the OR had called announcing their impending arrival. She assumed she was clever, however she’d clearly forgotten what I’d studied to be.

Marie hurried around the room, assisting the team in transferring Angelo to the bed we’d prepared. I listen as the nurse gives her report, while I do my initial assessment.

“Also, Mr. Cavaletti,” she nods in Dante’s direction. “Has been given special permission to remain by his brother’s bedside.”

I didn’t need to ask for details, only one person in this hospital has the ability to grant such a request. The Chief of Staff, Tabitha Donaldson. A smile splits my lips as I mentally picture her fanning herself as Dante pleads his case. Knowing Dr. Donaldson, she made him sweeten the deal with a generous donation to whatever cause she’s currently chairing.

Once the transfer was complete, I turned to Dante, “Mr. Cavaletti.” I begin, keeping my back to a no doubt nosy Tiffani. “I understand you will be staying with your brother.”

“Dante.” His voice was deep with exhaustion, dark skin beneath his intoxicating eyes confirming his fatigue.

“Dante,” I correct, offering a smile I hope appears genuine. “I can order a rollaway bed for?—”

“That won’t be necessary,” he interrupts, dropping his body into the lone chair in the corner. “I’m not here to rest.”