Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Thinking about Claire’s godmother, I turn serious. “I need my phone.”
“Livy will bring it. She should be back any minute.”
“Is it safe to go to the house?”
“The cops are all over our friends and enemies. Raphael will lie low for a while. I sent a man with her just in case.”
I nod my gratitude. “I have to call Tersia.”
“You can use my phone while you wait for Livy.”
Scrubbing my hands over my face, I admit, “She must hate me. God, I almost got them killed. How do I even explain what happened?”
“Just tell her the parts of the truth that you can. I checked. She’s a bit spooked, but she’s fine. Baby too. She called the hospital several times for news. I told her you and Claire were fine, but I asked the nurses to give you a bit of time before bombarding you with telephone calls and visitors.”
“Thanks.” I catch his gaze in the reflection of the mirrored wall. “I don’t know what we would’ve done without you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Now I’m grateful my mom wasn’t there.” Not that Saverio would’ve invited her. We haven’t been on speaking terms since the day she humiliated me in front of him.
“You better let her know you’re all right. The attack has been headline news since yesterday.”
The doors open on the maternity floor.
“When can I see Saverio? Dr. Loter said soon. Has he left a message while I was with Claire?”
Dante doesn’t reply.
“Dante?” I say when he pushes me past the visitors’ lounge where two of Saverio’s men stand with paper cups from the coffee vending machine in their hands, looking ill at ease in jeans and sweaters instead of their habitual suits.
They’re not making a good job of blending in.
“Dante,” I say again, a little louder this time.
He stops in front of my private room. “It’s too early.”
My heart beats out of rhythm. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He opens the door and wheels the chair inside. Dinner waits on the trolley at the foot-end of the bed—spinach and mashed potatoes.
Hooking a hand beneath my armpit, he hoists me to my feet and helps me to the bed. “He doesn’t want to see anyone just yet.”
Every heartbeat that falls between my ribs turns into a dull ache. “Not even me?”
Dante’s tone is apologetic. “Give him time. His injuries… He’s got a lot to deal with.”
I clench my jaw not only against the discomfort when I get onto the bed but also because the rejection hurts worse than any physical pain.
“Want to use my phone to call Tersia?” he asks, reaching for it in his pocket.
I know what he’s doing. He’s using a diversion to avoid talking about why Saverio doesn’t want to see me when my husband of only a few hours came as close to dying as he’ll ever get.
“Thanks, but I’ll wait for Livy,” I say. “You need to go home and get some rest.”
He scratches his head. “I’m good.”
“Dante.”
He looks at me and waits.
“You have to speak to the men,” I say.
His expression sobers.
“You have to call a meeting and keep up the morale,” I continue. “Tell them Saverio is doing great.”
“Anya,” he says, shaking his head.
I harden my voice. “Tell them he’s going to make the men responsible for the attack pay. They need to hear that.”
A muscle ticks in his jaw.
“Take money from the safe at After Dark. Go see the families of the men who died. They must be compensated.”
“Anya—”
“That’s how it works.” My tone is harsh. “Funerals have to be arranged. The women have children to take care of. I’ll visit the families myself when I’m discharged tomorrow. In the meantime, I want a list of the dead and the injured. I’ll pull the records with their next of kin and employment history at work. Luigi took out life insurance for every man who worked for him. I’ll deal with the insurance company.”
Spreading his hands, he says, “You just had a baby. It’s too soon.”
“Just do it, Dante. This is what Saverio would’ve ordered if he was in the right state of mind. Make sure the people you see know that Saverio sent you. Tell them he’s recovering but strong. Tell them he’s determined to make this right.” I hold his gaze. “We have to keep the organization together now more than ever. We can’t let the men believe Raphael weakened us. What our men need most now is hope. Luigi and Giorgio are gone. Someone needs to take over, and that someone is Saverio. Make sure everyone understands that. They trust him. They have faith in him. Make sure they know he’ll avenge every man who died.”
Dante purses his lips.
“The next few hours are critical,” I say. “If no one takes charge, there will be chaos. We have a better chance at protecting the territory if we align the men and communicate a clear strategy.”