Chapter NineCalista
Chapter Nine
Calista
I practically ran from his room before I made a bigger fool of myself. I can’t believe what Ian said in front of my boss. I could chalk it up to the meds, but I should know better. He carried himself with pure confidence and power. I knew it that night at the club and after knowing who he is, there is no doubt in my mind that he meant what he said, so I’m going to take his words seriously.
“Run,” he uttered with those beautiful eyes full of warning and hunger.
If he finds me, then I’m his. Why is it both tempting and terrifying? The idea of him chasing and catching me has so much merit, I want to take off already in the hopes he’ll give chase.
Still, there are other things to be concerned about; like I’m not sure how my father will feel about another mafia family trying to claim me.
I shake my head, trying to stop myself from crying. My emotions are flying all over the place. Seeing Ian after all this time has been a rush, but seeing him injured like that made it hard to keep my emotions in check.
When he pulled me to him, I didn’t want him to let me go. I nearly caved to the temptation, but I remembered what came with the lifestyle, and I don’t want to marry a mobster.
“Ms. Vitale.” I clamp my eyes and lips shut tightly, freezing in place as Dr. Fisher coldly calls my name. Spinning on my heel, I face him. “We need to speak,” he says.
I move my gaze away from him so I don’t have to face his angry eyes. As I ignore his laser-focused gaze on me, I spot two women heading toward Ian’s room, but only the backs of their heads. I do my best not to be jealous, but my heart doesn’t agree with me. Dr. Fisher yanks me by the arm and drags me toward the small waiting room, closing the door behind us.
“Ms. Vitale, your behavior in there has just cost you your position,” he says, not waiting a full two seconds after we enter the room.
“What?” I ask, completely flabbergasted.
“You heard me. We can’t have our students fraternizing with criminals. It reflects poorly on the program and the hospital.”
“I…I can’t believe this. I’m the best student you have, and you’re letting me go because I met Mr. MacNamara at a club and haven’t seen him again until today.” It’s more information than I need to share and less than what happened between us, but it’s none of his business what happened between Ian and me.
“It’s clear he has other ideas, and we don’t need that kind of trouble in here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave immediately. You’ll be removed from the program, but the college will have to determine your eligibility after receiving my report.” He opens the door, waving his arm for me to go first.
I walk out of the room, and he lifts his arm above my head and waves over the security guard. “Please escort Ms. Vitale to get her belongings from the locker room and then out of the hospital.” My shoulders raised and my body tensed as my temper heated up. A different person just washes over me and the sweet med student that I’ve been just evaporated. The young New York Mafia princess invaded my bones. Sinister thoughts of punishing him flood my brain.
I want to tell him that he fucked with the wrong woman because my father isn’t going to appreciate it, but I remember that I’m not a part of that life. I take a deep calming breath and let it out. It’s one thing if I screwed up on my own merit, but my acquaintances cost me my career, and my father won’t like to hear it.
By the time I arrived at my car with my few belongings, which were a change of clothes along with toiletries inside my duffle bag, I had lost my composure. Unable to hold back the tears, I press my forehead on the top of my Mercedes.
My entire career and education are down the drain.
There’s a tap on my arm and I jump back with my keys in hand, ready to stab someone in the eye, only to find one of my father’s men standing there. My eyes meet the affable Andre. “Your father is on the phone,” he says gently, seeing me upset.
“Princess…” my father answers.
I cut him off right away. “Why the hell are your men here? I thought I asked you to send them home.” I found them following me months ago and found it annoying because I’m an adult and feel like it draws more attention to me.
“Sweetheart, just because you ask for something doesn’t mean it’s within my power to grant it.”
“You can’t tell them to go home?” I challenge his bullshit. He laughs as if what I just said was funny, but I’m too pissed to see it that way.
“They are always there, sweetheart. I’m worried about you. Andre said that you’re crying, and I can hear it in your voice.” Of course I have to have the most observant and loving father. There isn’t anything he misses. I love and hate it at the same time, although I could be unfortunate enough to have Ian’s dad.
“I was just kicked out of the program,” I confess through my tears.
“Why? Did you accidentally kill someone?” he asks. I suppose it’s a valid question.
Andre’s eyes don’t leave me as I answer, “No. It’s because I know Ian MacNamara, who is a patient.”
“What the fuck? I don’t give a fuck if you were married to that mick, that’s not a logical reason to send you packing.”
“Well, apparently they don’t want trouble. And apparently knowing a mobster is trouble,” I teasingly scoff. My dad chuckles lightly because if they only knew the truth I wouldn’t have been selected at all.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. Do you want me to deal with it?” I knew he’d offer, and I’m sure he’ll know my response.
“No. It would only prove his point. He didn’t want that kind of atmosphere in his hospital. He made it clear that he wouldn’t mind if Ian was dead.”
“Are you fucking serious?” My father snarls on the other end as if his favorite baseball team has lost.
“Don’t even think of it,” I warned him. If anything happens to Ian because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.
“I wouldn’t start a war with the MacNamara Family,” he responds with a mixed tenor, and I can’t tell if he’s being serious.
Out of nowhere, I hear commotion behind me. “What the fuck are you doing with her?” Jack says, approaching us. Andre immediately reacts to protect me. Jack lands a punch on his jaw.
“Dad, I have to go.” I end the call and move closer to the two men.
I shout, “Stop it, you idiot.”
“He’s going to kidnap you,” Andre grumbles, itching to reach for his piece as both men actually listen to me. I’m sure something is going down, but I’m not sure if it’s positive.
“No, he’s not. Here is your phone, Andre.” I pressed it into his chest. “Go home. I’m fine, and tell my father I’m fine.” I shake my head. It’s then I see the one woman with him. I don’t see the other brother and woman, though.
“Are you sure?” he asks me again, but my mind is on who that other woman is and why she is visiting Ian.
“Callie?” He waves his hand in front of my face.
“Yes.” He straightens his suit before walking away, giving Jack a dirty look.
“So who the fuck are you? You said you were neighbors with the governor, but that fucker is a New Yorker and so is your father.”
“Why are you all in my business? You all cost me my damn position in the program and probably my slot in the med school, so it would be great if you all leave me alone. It’s not my fault that your brother decided to hit on me in a club and we liked each other. Now, if you’ll excuse me; you’re in my way.”
“Be careful,” he mutters and then gently takes the woman by the hand.
“See you later,” she says. She waves and gives me a sweet smile as if she saw this situation in a different light. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head at her. Jack is an asshole, but it’s clear he’s looking out for his brother.
I drive back to my apartment and pack up my school things. I can’t look at them every day. Stuffing them into a tote, I slide them under my dining room table and then I head into my bedroom and decide the best course of action for me is to visit my family for a bit. Maybe a trip home would do me some good.
My parents would love to have me come home for a while. As I pack, a think about my father and our conversation and a thought strikes me; maybe I should have told the MacNamaras that the doctor was an asshole and didn’t have good intentions.
I don’t have their information or anything, but I decide to Google them. All mafia families have legal avenues or some way to contact them or their associates. One page catches my eye. Connor MacNamara is married to none other than Claudia Saunders. Smiling, I called her right away. “Hey, Claudia.”
“Hey, Callie. How are you? Are you okay? I saw you when you left,” she asks in rapid fire questioning.
“Oh. Was that you going into the room?”
“Yes. That doctor was a total asshole.”
“That’s actually why I’m calling. I didn’t realize how much it mattered because he’s a doctor and not a killer or anything, but he said something that bothered me.”
“What is it?”
“He said that maybe if we left him alone, someone would come along and finish the job. I assumed it was his dislike of mafia types, but I just thought you should know.”
“Thanks, but the guys felt the same way and they moved Ian. You’re a sweetheart.”
I didn’t feel that way. I should have told that asshole Jack when I saw him, but I’d been so pissed by his attitude and being fired I hadn’t even considered the risk. “Hardly. Congrats on the marriage.”
“Thanks. He’s wonderful.”
“Even though they hate your father?”
“Yeah, well, that’s complicated…really freaking complicated. You should have dinner with us tomorrow.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides, I’m going to see my father tomorrow.”
“Okay. Well, let me know if you want to go shopping or anything when you’re back in town. I’m always down for it, and maybe we could steal Nora away from Jack. She’s my future sister-in-law, and she’s the most wonderful woman in the world.” Somehow I don’t doubt that. She’s like the grumpy sunshine couple.
“Maybe we can. Talk to you another time.” I end the call and feel better about it.
I booked a flight to New York to see my father. It was expensive, but I used my family card, so it wasn’t a problem. My dad takes care of the payments. It’s his way to make up for losing my mom. Money. I only accept his money to make my life comfortable, but not lavish. Although, it doesn’t stop him from giving me massive gifts like the Mercedes.
I shoot him a message, letting him know when I’ll be arriving.
I’ll be there tomorrow around ten, but I’m sure you probably already know that.
I didn’t, Princess, but I’m thrill that you will be coming home.
It’s for vacation.
It’s still your home even if it’s just for a vacation. Always your home. My heart swells with his messages to me. It’s truly hard for me to stay mad at him. As crazy scary as my father can be, his love for me is truly unconditional.
I love you, Daddy.
I love you, Princess.