6. Freedom on Hold
Freedom on Hold
After a ten-hour night shift, I thought I’d be exhausted, especially when the ER was crowded with tourists.
Two surgeries had had to be postponed because the surgeon had an unexpected death in the family, no one was paying attention to the sign above the photocopier that clearly stated no card could be used, and I had to diffuse a professional disagreement and soothe the egos of two department heads over who had booked operation room nine.
But despite all that, I was smiling, still riding high from the three exquisite orgasms I had received from the hottest masseur alive yesterday.
“Buongiorno, Aria,” Nita greeted as she walked into the staff lounge and dumped her handbag in her locker.
She was the daytime hospital administrator, arriving fifteen minutes early for her shift so we could do our handover in person and on my time, which only made me love her more.
“On a scale of one to ten, how homicidal are you feeling so I can prepare myself?”
I huffed, shoving my handbag onto my shoulder and fluffing my flat hair. “Solid seven. Would have been a six, but then I just had to find beds for three backpackers who decided that shots of limoncello counted as hydration.”
My hospital radio came to life. “Amministratrice Caruso, we’ve got a situation in Orthopaedics. A patient is refusing discharge.”
I rolled my eyes as Nita giggled, shaking her head and putting on her badge.
“Tell him he can refuse all he wants, but the bed has already been promised to someone else who needs it, so he’ll be sleeping in the corridor.”
“It’s alright,” Nita said. “I’ll deal with it. Is there anything else I need to know?”
“I’ve rearranged the doctors’ schedules for this week to cover absences and signed reports, but two more are expected in the next hour. If I were you, I’d remove any card within a mile of the printer, or you’ll end up tearing your hair out.”
“Got it,” she chuckled. “Are you going to the fundraiser tonight?”
“Si, I’ll be there.”
She left, and I followed her out. I kept my head low and my attention on my phone so I wouldn’t get roped into any more chaos before I made it to the exit of the hospital.
I opened my messages to reread the texts I’d sent Allegra in a panic during my midnight break.
I couldn’t believe I’d left my mother’s necklace behind at the spa.
What an idiot. Hopefully, she could collect it before she checked out this morning. It was already eight a.m.
“Pronto,” her drowsy voice groaned down the phone. I smiled.
“Sorry, did I wake you from your heavenly sleep in your self-rocking bed at your luxury hotel?”
“Si. And I hate you for it.”
“I’m assuming you haven’t seen any of my messages then?”
“Not one. What’s wrong?”
“I left my necklace at the spa yesterday. I hope Cesare handed it in at ?reception. Can you check? You know how much that necklace means to me.”
“Of course, don’t worry. I’ll go downstairs and ask before I check out. Oh, that means I might get to see, in your words, the sexiest man who has ever walked the Earth, because I don’t believe you. I need to see him myself. I might book a Cesare Special based on your recommendation.”
My smile dropped as I tried to ignore the tiny spark of irrational jealousy that stirred at the thought of him doing what he did to me to my best friend. Or to any woman, actually. God, that was pathetic.
“I stand by what I said. Whoever designed that man clearly had no mercy for us women.”
“That should be in your online review.”
I laughed as the orange glow of the morning sun warmed my face. I headed through the car park to walk home, loving the crisp autumn freshness.
“I’m not writing a review, can you imagine?
I didn’t stay at this hotel, so I can’t comment on the rocking beds or balcony bathtubs, but I did test out the spa’s gigolo, Cesare’s, sexual skills, and all I can say is a five-star massage and infinite stars for the mind-blowing orgasms. His tongue should win a Nobel Prize for the amount of peace it brings women—”
“Aria!”
I spun around as the black window rolled down at the back of the armoured electric Maserati limousine, and my father’s face appeared. I froze, muttering under my breath and praying he didn’t hear all of that. How did I not notice the massive statement car pulling up beside me?
“Papi!”
“What?” Ally questioned, still on the other end of the phone.
“Um, I’ve got to go, Ally. Let me know how you get on with the necklace, please. Ciao.” I ended the call, giving my father a bright smile I hoped hid the mortification I felt inside. One of his drivers stepped around and opened the back door for me. Clearly, I was getting a ride home.
“Luce mia,” he greeted, kissing me on both cheeks and holding out a flask. “Decent coffee? I thought you might need it.”
“Grazie,” I moaned, taking a sip and sighing with bliss. “Although I’m now fuelled solely by caffeine at this point.”
He chuckled, running his hand down his immaculate three-piece suit. It must have been exhausting to dress your best every single day, but being the Mayor of Rome was my father’s dream. He lived and breathed for this city and always showed up for the people.
Although I didn’t see him much after my parents separated because he’d stayed in Italy, he’d always called weekly and inspired me to fight for what I wanted.
He taught me that with hard work and perseverance, one could do anything.
He was now in his second year as Mayor of the Italian capital, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.
His current political campaign focused on sustainability and reducing crime in the city.
Although I didn’t really involve myself too much in politics, I knew that it wasn’t an easy task.
Everyone knew there were major criminal operations at large in our city, men who not only profited from illegal dealings but also controlled authoritative figures.
My father was trying to put an end to that.
“Good night?”
“Hard night,” I replied, relaxing back into the soft beige seats and letting the tension leave my muscles.
It felt easier to do than usual after that heavenly massage.
“But I don’t have another shift for two nights, so there’s that.
” I twisted in my seat to look at him. “As much as I love seeing you, what are you doing here?”
For the first time, he held my gaze, and I frowned. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened with concern, and I didn’t like the unease in his eyes.
“I expect you missed the news last night because you were busy, but...” he sighed, tapping his fingers against the car handle.
“We had a breakthrough. The authorities raided several warehouses at the docks and made a number of arrests. We’re suspecting this was a major criminal operation we just intercepted, and although I don’t have proof yet, if I can get it and tie it to the Del Brenta, we may have enough to at least take down a top dog. ”
My eyes widened, and I grabbed his arm. “That’s amazing, Papi. Isn’t it?”
“Si,” he exhaled, rubbing his forehead.
“Then why do you look so concerned?”
“Because I took a public stand last night and made it clear that I was the one who ordered it.”
I released his arm and moved back, my stomach twisting with realisation. “You’re scared they will come after you?”
“Not me so much. They’d be foolish to come anywhere near me with the publicity I have. But you, on the other hand….”
“Me?” I slammed my hand against my chest. “What do I have to do with any of this?”
“You are my only daughter, Aria. They will look for my weaknesses, find any way to control me, and blackmail me into stopping the investigation. I’ve tried to keep my life as private as possible for this reason, but it won’t be long before they dig deeper.
And it’s not unknown that I have a daughter.
After last night, I worry Italy is no longer safe for you. ”
I swallowed my fear, fully aware of what he was implying. “You want me to leave? Are you serious? Surely it doesn’t need to come to that, Papi. My life is here! My friends, my job, you. I don’t want to go.”
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “I don’t want you to have to leave either, but if anything happened to you because of my fight against these criminals, I’d never forgive myself.”
“I’m not leaving Rome.” I shook my head, crossing my arms over my chest while still holding my coffee cup in one hand.
“Have they even threatened anything? I’m a nobody, Papi.
A hospital administrator with a coffee addiction and a fixation on watching cleaning videos.
I doubt they’ll bother wasting their time threatening me. ”
“You’re the mayor’s daughter. I don’t want to wait until the situation becomes too dangerous, Arianna.
You have no idea what these people are capable of.
These aren’t petty thieves or small-time drug dealers.
These are criminal masterminds capable of unspeakable things.
They have covered their tracks so meticulously that it is nearly impossible to find anything that can take them down.
But last night was the first big chance we had to dent their armour.
I had to take it. But in doing so, I have just declared war and put myself forward as the city’s defender. ”
“So what you’re saying…” I tried to fight back the sudden, overwhelming emotion that threatened to take over.
This wasn’t fair. My life was in Rome. I’d never stayed in one place for long, but Rome was the first place that made me want to.
I was happy here. “If I stay, I jeopardise your campaign and the investigation, as well as my life being at risk?”
“Si. But I don’t want you to leave either, luce mia. There might be a way to keep you protected in this city, but I don’t think you’ll like it.”
“What is it?” If it meant not having to uproot my entire life and start over, then I’d consider anything.
“Round-the-clock state protection for now.”