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My heart is in my throat, and I’m frozen in place as I notice numerous other officers standing just outside the door. Something has happened, and I’m terrified it has to do with me.
Nico appears by my side.
“Wh-what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
“But something…”
Vincent lets out a sound that’s a cross between a wail and a howl.
Nico leaves me to go to his uncle.
I follow him, even though I’m afraid to hear whatever this might be.
“What’s wrong?” Nico asks Vincent, who’s now in tears.
“Milo.”
Every muscle in Nico’s body goes rigid. “What about him?”
“He was shot while stopped at a light on Coral Way. They’re taking him to Miami-Dade, but they said it’s bad. I… I need to go tell your parents.”
Dee, who’s come out of the office to see what’s going on, let’s out a scream I’ll never forget when she hears Milo’s been shot.
I can’t breathe or think or do anything other than silently shriek at the possibility that people related to me have harmed Nico’s beloved brother. I can’t bear it.
And then Marlene is there with her hands on my shoulders and tears in her eyes. “Go with him, cariño. He’s going to need you.”
“My… My tables. I can’t… Oh God, Marlene. This is because of me. They thought he was Nico.”
“Unless you were the one to point a gun at our Milo and shoot it, this is not because of you. Go with Nico. He needs you. I’ll finish your shift and collect your tips for you.”
I want to tell her I don’t care about the money, but I don’t have that luxury.
Marlene squeezes my arm. “Breathe, Sofia.”
Nodding to her, I take the hand that Nico extends to me and follow him out to the back door, practically running to keep up. Just before we reach the door, Carmen and Jason come in, all smiles until they see us rushing toward them.
“What’s wrong?” Carmen asks.
“Milo’s been shot. They’re taking him to Miami-Dade.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Jason says. He’s on the medical staff there, and having him with us will help tremendously.
“Thank you,” Nico says, his voice wavering with emotion.
We jump into his truck and peel out of the parking lot seconds later.
Nico is so tense I fear he might explode. I wouldn’t blame him. I don’t know what to say or do or think. My skin feels too small and tight to contain the emotional storm raging inside me. If he loses his beautiful brother because of me, I’ll die. I’ll simply cease to exist in any meaningful form.
It takes thirty grueling minutes of tense silence to get to the hospital. We park in the emergency lot and run for the doors. I’m aware of Carmen and Jason behind us, as well as Vincent, Vivian and Livia. We’re there a few minutes, waiting for information, when Nico’s distraught parents and sisters arrive with Austin and Wyatt.
Everyone is so upset.
I want to disappear.
Jason goes through the double doors to the trauma unit to find out what he can.
