Chapter 7 Caterina
Caterina
Harlow was losing too much blood that she lost consciousness three minutes away from the hospital.
She was breathing, that was the main thing I was worried about, but she needed to get into surgery, now.
I hated going to hospitals because it always caused a mess.
My dad was friends with the police commissioner, and I knew a pretty surgeon who owed me a favor, so the police wouldn’t show up.
She better be in the ER waiting with a stretcher.
Emilia witnessed something she shouldn’t have, and instead of reporting it or telling someone, she pretended it never happened.
That quickly led to a bounty on her head.
I handled the problem and saved her from a bullet between the eyes.
Now if she saved my wife, the debt was repaid and she would never see me again.
The other car pulled up and I opened the door, seeing Lizzy in Luca’s arms and a death glare plastered on Luca’s face. He was pissed. Cornelius took Xavier back to my home and was getting him comfortable in the basement. He was about to have a miserable last days of his life.
“She won’t let the doctors check her out until she knows Harlow is safe. She’s blaming herself.” His words were angry.
“Elizabeth, look at me,” I told her. She shook her head.
I looked at Luca and he positioned himself so Elizabeth had to look at me.
Her eyes were red and tears were streaming from her face.
“This is not your fault. I don’t care what you were doing or what y’all did.
It is not your fault. Do you understand me? ”
“I-it was m-my idea to le-leave Vito and Raul.”
I hovered my hand over her, and after Luca gave me an approving head nod, I brushed her hair back.
“And I sent them back to you. They were there. This dumbass was waiting. If it wasn’t at the store, it would’ve been in the parking garage.
Harlow is alive and you’re alive. I don’t blame you, and Harlow surely doesn’t. ”
She nodded, sinking further into Luca’s chest. “Let the doc check you out, babe,” he encouraged.
“I’ll get a female doctor and nurse for her. Bring her in when she’s ready.”
I walked into the hospital with Malachi on my tail. He was itching to ask questions, but I didn’t want to deal with mafia shit right now. I stormed into the hospital, looking around until I saw a short, dark-haired woman in a white coat and a pretty blonde nurse.
“Excuse me, I have a friend that was hurt with my wife. She needs to be checked out, but no men. Please.” They both nodded as Luca carried Lizzy inside. She wouldn’t let him put her on the bed, so Luca continued to hold Lizzy in his arms.
“We’ll work around, but we need to put her in a gown,” the doctor said.
“Luca, let me know if you need anything.”
Three hours later, Emilia found me alone in a room.
I needed to find something to concentrate on other than the fact my wife was an operating table getting bullets pulled out of her.
I deep dove into the various torture methods I would use to make this bastard pay.
My own methods would be enough to end his pitiful existence, but I already knew Luca had his own up his sleeve for him taking Lizzy.
Vincenzo already knew his plan was foiled and his second was captured, but he wasn’t the type to negotiate.
It wouldn’t have worked, anyway. Xavier’s fate was sealed.
Emilia removed her mask and folded her arms across her chest. “She’ll make a full recovery.
The bullet in her hip was lodged into her acetabulum, but there is no fracture.
The bullet in her shoulder fractured her right clavicle.
We had to secure it with plates and screws to help the healing process,” she said in a somber tone.
“She has several broken ribs and bruises on her back, as well. Unfortunately, we can’t do anything about ribs.
Rotate heat and ice, and try to make her comfortable. ”
“Is there anything I need to do at home?”
“She needs to keep her arm in a sling. Medicine. Ice. In three weeks, she can start PT to help the movement. Her hip will cause her pain, but once she is healed, she will be okay to walk. If anything changes, bring her back or call your personal doctor.”
“I have a personal doctor, thank you. Consider your debt paid. And don’t go witnessing murders anymore. You have my family’s gratitude. If you ever need something, call me at no charge.”
Emilia nodded gratefully and took me to Harlow’s hospital room.
She was sleeping peacefully right now with a sling on her right arm and a nasal cannula in her nose.
It could have been worse. She could have a tube down her throat from not breathing on her own, so I’d take this.
I told Malachi to go home to meet with Lena to get our bedroom ready for her. Harlow wouldn’t be here much longer.
Three hours later, Harlow stirred in the bed, groaning before her eyes flew open and she attempted to sit up. I was at her side in a heartbeat, running my hand through her hair.
“Hey, it’s okay, baby. Take deep breaths.”