Chapter 39
Who’s Left
Rico
“I’m looking for Rico and Oni Gallo,” the nurse calls into the waiting room where we’ve been waiting for news.
I’ve barely been containing my rage. Instead of dancing with my wife at our wedding reception, we’re here in a hospital. Of all the days to pick to do this shit, they would pick today.
I stand and look down at Oni. She’s still in her blood-stained wedding gown. I took off my tux jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders hours ago.
She looks up at me and blinks a few times. I give her a tight smile and hold my hand out for hers. Oni stands as if on autopilot and places her hand in mine, then we walk over to the nurse who called our names.
“That’s us,” I say.
“Mr. Gallo would like to see the two of you, but you can’t stay long. He needs his rest.”
I close my eyes and nod. My uncle nearly gave his life for Fredo, Oni, and her mother. I still can’t believe what he did.
He should have taken cover and stayed close to his men. The interesting thing is, I’m not sure who he was trying to cover. His nephew, my wife, or her mother.
Whoever it was, he earned a new respect from me. I prayed the old bastard would pull through. We’re not ready to lose him.
Oni gasps as we walk into my uncle’s room. I don’t blame her. I’ve never seen him look so fragile in my life. Tubes and machines are everywhere.
We move to the side of his bed and Oni takes his hand in hers. Uncle Emilio opens his eyes. It takes a moment for his gaze to focus on us.
With his other hand, he reaches to pull the oxygen mask down. He swallows thickly and frowns. I squeeze Oni’s waist as she begins to tremble.
“Fredo?” he says, barely above a whisper.
I shake my head. “Still in surgery. They said the bullet hit his spine on the way in, then nicked his lung on the way out. We’re still waiting to hear if he’ll pull through.”
“He might not be able to walk again,” Oni sniffles.
Uncle Emilio gasps in a breath of air. “Find out who did this and you kill them and their entire family,” he wheezes out then places his mask back on.
“Already on it,” Oni replies before I can.
Uncle Emilio nods firmly then closes his eyes. There’s nothing else to be said. I kiss Oni’s temple and lead her out of the room.
When we get back to the waiting room, Mario is waiting with a somber look on his face. He comes to my side and leans to whisper in my ear.
“This was a play by Sullivan. He’s hiding behind old connections, but it’s him, no doubt,” he whispers.
“I want a meet with McFarlan. He should know what his boy has done.”
McFarlan is the Irish boss in Ireland. He’s the one Sullivan has to answer to. We went to McFarlan to have Sullivan stripped of everything here in New York.
He was reluctant until he learned how fucked up things were in my city. Sullivan and his boys weren’t reporting back like they should have been. There are more parties that haven’t been happy with Sullivan and his dealings for a while now.
They just didn’t have the balls to speak up. Once Abato was out of the way and Sullivan didn’t have a way to cover up his shit, McFarlan was more than happy to strip it all away.
“So we’re changing our honeymoon to a trip to Ireland?” Oni says.
“That we are. I have an old dog I want to put down. We’ll need his owner’s signature on a few things.”
Oni
We’re finally home from the hospital. I think I’m still in shock. This was the last outcome I expected for my wedding day.
“Let me get you out of this dress and into the shower,” Rico murmurs.
I have to admire how strong he’s being for the both of us. This is his uncle and cousin, who risked their lives for me. I will never forgive myself if Fredo doesn’t pull through.
My mother is a wreck. She refused to leave the hospital. Once they got Emilio to his private suite, Emilia and Mom settled in and stayed for the night. I almost laughed at how happy Emilio looked as we walked out to head home.
My mother better be careful. Once Emilio is healthy again, she might be in trouble. In a matter of hours, so much has changed.
“Talk to me, baby. What’s going on in your head?” Rico asks as he places me in the shower and turns the spray on.
I turn to him and wrap my arms around him. I could have lost him today. Hearing his heart next to my ear goes a long way to calm me.
He wraps his arms around me and holds on tight as the water cascades down around us. A single tear falls before I can stop it.
“I’m here. Whatever you need, I’m here. You don’t have to be strong for me, Oni.”
“They don’t deserve my tears. They took one of the most important days of my life from me. The only thing they will receive from me is my rage.”
“I promise you, we will find a way to make this day right. All that matters right now is that you’re here in my arms, still breathing.”
“They have to be okay. Fredo doesn’t deserve this.”
“He’s going to pull through. Uncle Emilio is too stubborn to die. Besides, now that he knows your mom still cares, he’s going to be back with a vengeance.
“We all know how he can be about her. My mother-in-law might be my step-aunt soon,” he chuckles.
“Ew, please don’t.”
He pulls back and looks down at me, lifting my chin with his fingertips. Searching my face with his gaze, he then drops a kiss on my lips. I sigh into the kiss as my body melts against his.
“I just wanted to get you to smile.”
“Thanks, Rico. I love you.”
“Anytime, I love you too.”