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“Costa,” I growled his name, remembering the way he and his men had hurt her. “Where is he?”
“He’s dead. Leo killed him.” He didn’t even blink when he told me Marco’s dad had killed his rival. “That little shit Matt ran straight to Gabriel after he saw… Well, after he saw you. Marco and Leo tracked him down and found out that Gabriel had come for me at the restaurant. They got to us in time to save you.
“Leo’s in lockup at the moment,” Dad added. “We couldn’t fully explain everything away as a robbery gone wrong, but he’ll post bail and be out in no time.”
I nodded, not really caring about Marco’s father. He always managed to get out of serving jail time. I was sure he’d manage it again.
“What about you?” I asked. “Have the cops been hassling you?” I might not like my father’s criminal lifestyle, but I didn’t want him to go to jail.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me, son. Just focus on getting better.”
But I couldn’t focus on that. I couldn’t focus on anything but Ashlyn. I wouldn’t be able to rest until I saw she was safe.
“Where are Ashlyn and Marco?”
Dad sighed, his expression drooping with disappointment. “I told them they couldn’t see you yet. I wanted to talk to you.” His pale eyes glinted, his jaw firming with anger. “And they’re not your family.”
“They are,” I countered. “I know you don’t understand, but they are my family, Dad.”
“No, I don’t understand. But I don’t want to see my only son murdered because he’s… Because of his unorthodox choices.” I knew he was swallowing a dirtier word, and I appreciated his tact.
“Once you’re better, you’re going to have to leave New York,” he continued. “All of you. Ashlyn doesn’t belong here, and Marco’s not welcome here anymore, either.”
I knew my father would think of my exile as a punishment, but he had no idea the gift he’d just given me: a way out.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said earnestly. “Are we alright? I mean, I know you’re not happy about all this, but we’re still on speaking terms, right?”
His eyes sparkled with a glimmer of tears. “I thought I was going to lose you. I thought you were going to bleed out on the floor while I watched. Maybe if that hadn’t happened, I’d throw you out and never speak to you again. As it is…” He swiped at the wetness on his face. “Call me anytime, son. If you ever need anything, just call me.”
“I will,” I promised. “What about Mom? How is she taking all this?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Your mother is furious at Ashlyn for stealing you away. Give her some time, and she’ll cool off. She loves you too.”
“Can I see her? Ashlyn, I mean. I want to see her and Marco.”
Dad’s lips thinned when I mentioned Marco’s name, but he nodded. “I’ll go tell them they can come in.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, more grateful for his loving nature than ever. My father might be a ruthless criminal, but he loved me and cared about my happiness.
Dad slipped out the door, and a minute later, Ashlyn burst into the room. She held a handful of colorful get-well-soon balloons, and she pulled Marco along in her wake. From the bemused expression on his face, he was happy to be pulled wherever she wanted him to go.
Ashlyn rushed to my side and released the balloons in her haste to grab my hand. Marco caught them before they could float away and knotted the ribbons to the guardrail on my hospital bed.
“Joseph,” she said my name on a relieved sigh. She looked like she wanted to fling herself on top of me, but she stopped herself, settling for holding my hand. “I was so worried about you.” Tears spilled from her lovely sapphire eyes.
I reached up and wiped them away. “I’m okay, angel.”
I caught her chin between my thumb and forefinger, turning her face so I could inspect her. One of the last things I could remember was Ricky hitting her with his gun.
I locked eyes with Marco, knowing he’d give me an honest answer. “How is she?”
Physically, she looked fine, but my memories were hazy, and I couldn’t recall everything that’d happened after I got stabbed.
Marco wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Our girl’s a fighter. She’s okay.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she insisted. “But you need to rest,” she told me firmly. “I’m going to call the nurse to get you more pain meds.”
“Don’t,” I insisted. “I want to talk to you. Both of you.”
Marco hit the call button for the nurse. “Talk fast. Then, rest.”
I glared at him for being so high-handed, but I didn’t waste time arguing. “We’re leaving New York,” I told them. “Dad says we have to.”
