AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dad snorts into his glass before taking a sip. “I wonder if Patrick knew that.”
“Doubt it.”
“Where did Enzo take her?”
I glance away. “She’s back at the penthouse.”
“That’s good.” Dad nods, and I know the wheels are turning in his head already. “Who else knows?”
“Just you and me, as far as I know. I don’t know if she’s told anyone else.”
Dad nods again. “Let’s keep it that way for now. We need to be careful here.”
He’s referring to the fact that Rose is technically still in a marriage contract with Igor, and I broke that when I slept with her and got her pregnant. “I didn’t know who she was when I met her, Dad.”
“I believe you. Even you’re not that stupid.”
“Thanks?”
He either doesn’t hear me or doesn’t care because he just barrels on. “Have Rose and Liam stay at the penthouse for now. I’ll need to talk to Patrick and—”
My phone rings, interrupting Dad. I pull it out of my pants and say, “It’s Gabriella. She’s with Rose and Liam.”
“Answer it.”
I swipe the green button. “Gabriella? What—”
“Michael!” she shouts, her voice choked with sobs. I’m immediately on edge, and Dad mirrors my anxiety having heard his youngest through the speaker. “They-they shot Enzo. And they took them!"
"What? Who?"
"The Irish. They shot Enzo and took Rose and Liam."
30
Rose
“The good news is that nothing appears broken.” Dr. Gonzalez prods my hand, and for the second time tonight, I’m tempted to slap another asshole in the face. “Place an ice pack on it in twenty-minute intervals. Twenty on, twenty off until the swelling goes down. You can take some ibuprofen for the pain, and if it gets worse, I’d like for you to come in and get an X-ray done.” He packs up his supplies before he smiles at me comfortingly. “Be careful, my dear, and try not to slam your hand in any more doors.”
I nod to show I understand, feeling guilty for lying to him, but when he asked me how I injured my hand, it was the first thing that came to mind.
“Thanks, Doc,” Enzo says before he walks the older man to the elevator.
“Here you go.” Gabriella hands me a baggie of ice wrapped in a kitchen towel, two orange ibuprofen pills, and a glass of water.
I swallow the pills and carefully set the ice on top of my hand. “Thank you.”
Gabriella watches me from the corner of my eye. She’s curious. They both are. But I’m still reeling from Michael’s reaction, and honestly, I’m scared they’ll react the same way if I tell them the truth. And if they do…then Liam and I really will be alone.
My eyes focus on the sleeping infant tucked inside a cocoon of blankets on the couch. He’s too young to roll over, but I don’t want to take any chances. Besides, if he were to get hurt, Michael will no doubt blame that on me too.
Enzo returns with a glass in one hand and a bottle of scotch in the other. He wiggles them suggestively out to me. “Care for something a little stronger?”
Logically, I should say no because being inebriated is the last thing I need right now, especially after taking pain meds, but my heart and mind are too heavy and tired to say no. The idea of feeling numb is extremely tempting.
Balancing the ice bag on top of my hand, I beckon with the other. “Please.”
Enzo fills one glass generously and hands it to me. The alcohol is a delicious and smooth burn down my throat. But to be honest, he could hand me home-brewed moonshine, made in the back country swamps, and I’d still drink it because I’m desperate for that numbing sensation.
