Chapter 24 | Michael
Michael
Irushed inside the hospital and headed to the ICU desk. “My wife was in a car accident. Bianca Caruso.”
The nurse behind the desk consulted the computer. “Yes, she’s here, sir. Please have a seat in the waiting room and I’ll send someone out shortly.”
“Can I see her?”
“Have a seat, please. I’ve paged a nurse and she’ll be out soon.”
Fear thrummed in every nerve of my frazzled body as I sat in the one of the ugly waiting room chairs, Enzo and Rocco close behind me before sitting in nearby seats.
“Mr. Caruso?” a woman wearing scrubs called as I rose.
“Yes.”
“Your wife is in emergency surgery,” she said, compassion lacing her features. “She has injuries in multiple organs, mostly in her mid-section, and they need immediate attention.”
I covered my mouth as the words sank in. “I need to see her.”
“The surgeon will come out and update you when he’s finished, mostly likely in two to three hours. Until then, we have a cafeteria on the seventh floor where you and your...” she eyed Enzo and Rocco, “friends can get some coffee.”
“Is she...” I swallowed thickly, terrified to lose Bianca when I’d only just begun to build the life I desperately wanted with her. “Is she going to be okay?”
“The surgeon is one of our best. I know it’s distressing, but that’s all the info I have. He’ll come and find you when he’s out of surgery.”
She gave a sympathetic nod before turning and heading through the double doors that led to the ward.
I slumped in the chair and buried my head in my hands, praying to every god in the universe that Bianca would pull through. And then, fraught with worry, I waited for the surgeon to appear.
Three hours later, I was still waiting when I received a text to my burner phone.
BC: Simon Ferretti is dead. Bianca shot him. There was one other man in his car. The driver, who was in and out of consciousness, saw it unfold.
MC: Good riddance.
BC: Word will spread that Bianca shot Simon. I know you didn’t want a war, but you’ve got one now. Be vigilant. I hope Bianca’s okay.
MC: Thanks. At the hospital now. Please give Katia updates if you have any.
BC: Will do.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes, understanding that things had gone from complicated to fucked. A man appeared through the double doors and approached. “Mr. Caruso?”
I stood and asked with dread, “How is my wife?”
“Can we...” he eyed Enzo and Rocco, “talk privately? Maybe over in that corner?”
I nodded and we walked to the far corner, both taking a seat beside the window.
“Mr. Caruso, your wife had extensive injuries to several organs in her abdomen. We were able to repair most of the damage, but her previous D&C presented us with some challenges.”
“D&C?” I asked.
“It’s a surgical procedure to remove an unviable pregnancy, usually after a miscarriage. Did your wife have a miscarriage in her past?”
My brain scrambled to comprehend the information. “We’re newly married. Perhaps with her first husband.”
The surgeon nodded. “Sometimes, a D&C can lead to extensive scarring in the uterus, and that damage, combined with the injury, made it impossible for us to save her uterus.”
“What does that mean?”
“We had to perform a hysterectomy, Mr. Caruso. I’m sorry, but there was no other choice.”
“But will she be okay otherwise?”
“She’s severely bruised and has a few sprained ribs, but with proper rest, she should heal within a few weeks.
I suggest bed rest for the first week once you take her home.
After that, she’ll need to walk daily to encourage blood flow so she can continue to heal.
I’m going to recommend Dr. Paul Spano, a physical rehabilitation doctor who will help with the recovery. He makes house calls.”
I expelled a deep breath. “Thank you. Home visits are important in my line of work.”
“I’m familiar with your profession, Mr. Caruso,” he said with no judgement in his tone. “Dr. Adrian Zappa,” he said, extending his hand. “My family is Italian, and some of my distant cousins work for you. They say you’re loyal and show a morality some others don’t. I appreciate that.”
“Thank you,” I said, shaking his hand. “What about Chris and Joaquin? I haven’t been able to get an update on them since I’m not family.”
“Chris had a concussion and will be fine, and my partner removed a bullet from Joaquin’s upper arm. He’ll be fine too. Simon Ferretti is dead, although the man driving his car survived. The police report states that Joaquin shot him.”
I gazed into Adrian’s eyes, grateful that he’d ensured Bianca wasn’t associated with Simon’s death—on paper, at least. That would save us a police investigation, although everyone in the families knew the truth: Bianca had murdered one of Victor’s top remaining associates.
“As far as Bianca’s recovery, does she need something special for the hysterectomy? Will it affect...” I dropped off, not knowing how to ask the question.
“Bianca can resume normal sexual activity in a few weeks. I suggest consulting with Dr. Deborah Strong. She’s a concierge gynecologist who also does home visits. But hysterectomies are a very common procedure for women Bianca’s age, and she should recover just fine.”
“Thank you,” I said, exhaling a breath of relief at the doctor’s overall prognosis. “I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“She’ll have a few weeks of intense recovery, but I expect Bianca to bounce back exceptionally. She’s in good health and it’s obvious she takes care of herself.”
“She likes to run, although I’ve kept her locked up so she’s resorted to the treadmill. This exact situation is why I was trying to keep her in the house,” I said, covering my mouth as I contemplated all I could’ve lost.
Adrian stood. “I understand. Keeping those we love safe is an arduous task. Cathy will write my cell on the discharge papers when you all are ready to leave. She’s the nurse you spoke to when you arrived.
I plan on discharging Bianca tomorrow morning, and she’ll be moved to a room on the sixth floor in an hour.
You can see her then. Once you get home, if you notice anything alarming, please call me. ”
“Will do,” I said, shaking his hand. “Thank you, Adrian.”
“You’re welcome. Best of luck.”
As he strode away, I lowered back into the chair and contemplated the weeks ahead.
I would ensure Bianca had everything she needed to recover as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Recalling the doctor’s words, my eyebrows drew together as I wondered about Bianca’s D&C.
Had she experienced a miscarriage? When?
Had Victor known? He must have if she’d entered the hospital to have a procedure.
Realizing I wouldn’t have any answers until I talked to Bianca directly, I pulled out my phone to make some calls. It was imperative I stay on top of what was spreading amongst the families so I was aware of the narrative.
My wife had inadvertently sped up my turf war, and whether I liked it or not, there was no turning back.