Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
DANTE
I waited until I felt her body still and her breathing even out before leaving her tucked safely in my bed. Sliding into my jeans, I smile as I catch sight of the side of her luscious tit.
Since losing Bella, sex had become something I did, not something I felt. Loving Kate changed something inside me, I could feel the cracks of my broken heart starting to mend.
Closing the door, I don’t want any of my men to walk in on a naked Kate. She needs rest, which was the only reason I was leaving the room. Tomorrow, I would talk with Frankie, see if we had any contacts at Boston General.
Entering the kitchen, I smell the remnants of Frankie's famous steak. Opening the oven, I find a plate tucked inside, my mouth watering with anticipation. Gathering utensils, I head for the refrigerator. As I open the door, I spy a case of beer on the top shelf. Recalling Kate’s story, I remove a bottle of water instead.
As I set my plate on one of the tables in Angelo’s room, I hear what I thought was a moan. Snapping my attention to the bed, my heart begins to race as I see Angelo looking back at me.
“Dante?” His voice is deep and gravely and I notice he winces as he speaks my name.
“Hey, man, don’t talk. Let me get Kate.”
“Where am I?”
“Just hold on,” I repeat, ready to wake the house to get Kate’s attention. “You were shot.”
“Fucking Chuy,” he rasps as he tries to sit up. Thankfully, he is too weak to move, even as I place my hand in the center of his chest.
“Please, brother. Let me get Kate,” I plead, keeping my hand in place.
He shakes his head, licking his lips. “I need water.”
Unsure if I should, and not willing to leave him to try and get out of bed, I do the only thing I know to do.
“Hold on, brother.” Reaching for my phone, I dial Frankie’s number. His bedroom is beside mine and I hope this is one of the nights where he can’t find sleep. When his voicemail picks up, I end the call.
Palming my brother’s face, I look into his tired eyes, “Don't move. I swear to fuck if you try to get out of this bed I will kick your ass.”
Not waiting for him to agree, I ran to the door, taking a deep breath, cupping my hands around my mouth and shouting as if my life depended on it.
“Kate, I need you!”
Glancing over my shoulder, I find Angelo in the same position I left him. Looking back down the hall, I hear tiny footsteps a moment before Kate comes running from my room, dressed in the shirt I wore earlier, hanging on her like a dress.
“What’s wrong?” She questions with concern in her eyes.
“Angelo is awake and is asking for water.”
Kate quickens her pace, pushing past me as she heads straight to Angelo’s bed. My screaming has woken most of the house as doors fly open and guns are brandished.
“What happened?” Frankie questions, lowering his gun as he begins walking toward me.
“Angelo is awake.”
Not bothering to wait for him, I turn from the door, rushing back to Angelo’s bed. Kate has her stethoscope to his chest, asking him softly to breathe in and out. I stand in awe as I watch her work, how gentle she is as she lays her hands on his skin. Her calm voice giving him instructions, offering praise when he completes the task.
“Why am I so thirsty?” Angelo questions as Kate drapes her stethoscope around her neck.
“You’ve been unconscious for quite a while now. The IV has been giving your body fluids, but the membranes in your throat are dry.” Kate moves to place her fingers on his throat.
“Try and swallow for me, please.”
Angelo closes his eyes, but complies, his features contorting as he does.
“Everything feels great, but you need to take it slow. Ice chips first and if you do okay, we can move on to water.”
One of the men, Anthony, steps forward, a cup of ice in his hand. “Here you go, Boss. My brother’s doctor did the same thing after he had surgery.”
Relief washes over me as I realize with Angelo now awake, the title would revert back to him. I was never so glad for a demotion.
Angelo struggles to raise his hand, something which instantly worries me.
“Here,” Kate offers, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “It’s going to take a few days to get your strength back. Surgery and the infection, can take a toll on your body. Give it a few days and you’ll be right as rain.” She smiles, but it wasn’t her usual smile. It was forced, which makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
“A word, Boss .” Frankie whispers, emphasizing the latter.
Moving to the corner of the room, Frankie pulls out his phone. “We have a problem.”
“What kind of problem?” I whisper, keeping my focus on Kate as she feeds Angelo pieces of ice.
“For one, Chuy sent a message. Dumb bastard is demanding restitution for the products he lost in the warehouse explosions.”
“Next.” Rolling my eyes, knowing we have big plans in the works for our resident idiot.
“You have another voice ma?—”
“Next,” I interrupt, knowing exactly what he was going to say.
“We have to call the Family, let them know Angelo is awake.”
I could tell by the tone of his voice there is more he wants to say.
“Just say it, Frankie.” Pulling my attention from Kate.
“He isn’t moving his extremities.”
“You heard Kate, this is to be expected.”
“But what if it’s not? Being conscious is only part of the requirements to lead this Family.”
Letting out a held breath, I lower my head. “I know. Which is why you are going to wait until the sun is up before placing the call.”
Laying his hand on my shoulder, “Whatever you say, Boss.”
Something deep down told me this wouldn’t be the last time Frankie called me that.