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“No!” When she tried to jerk up, the machines went crazy. Then she started coughing up blood.
“Mama. Are you okay? Mama!” Within seconds, several people rushed into the room, pushing me away.
“No. Mama!”
The memory was one I hadn’t allowed myself to experience since her death. It had served no purpose. I felt wetness on my cheek and rolled my finger through it as I thought about what she’d been trying to say. Maybe I’d remembered the agonizing memory for a reason.
Important. What did that mean? Is that why Constantine had mentioned I had a trust fund? I needed to ask more questions, or I’d never know the truth. If I had to guess, I’d say he was looking for the same answers.
I thought about the picture I’d brought with me and headed to the closet, throwing open the door then dropping to my knees. As I pulled it from my bag and into the light, I rubbed my fingers across the glass. The photograph was taken in a tropical location, obviously before I was born. My mother looked so young. In fact, she looked exactly like me. They seemed so happy. I’d never really studied the picture before, but as I brought the photograph closer, I realized that it hadn’t been taken in the United States.
I realized something else I’d never noticed before.
My mother was wearing a wedding ring just like the one on my father’s finger. Wait. My mother had never been married before. Had she? I leaned against the closet door, more confused than ever.
What in God’s name had happened?
More important, just who was my father?
CHAPTER15
Constantine
“I’m fucking fine,” Daniel snapped, which meant he was anything but fine.
“What the hell were you doing without at least one of your men?” I challenged as I paced the floor of the hospital. “You fucking went against the rules.”
“Your rules. And by the way, it doesn’t appear you had one of your men with you either.”
“Yes! My rules. They’re in place for a goddamn reason.” I half laughed because he was right. “When I heard what happened, I left immediately.”
“You’re the one who needs to be more careful,” he teased.
“Bullshit!”
“Keep your voice down,” he cautioned.
I rubbed my eyes, my anger almost getting the best of me. I’d come this close to ordering a hit on Fantini and his bastard son. I’d needed Drago to talk me down from the rails. I’d yet to tell another damn soul, including Tristen. At this point with as enraged as I was, I knew it was not in the man’s best interest to be anywhere near me.
“I had some things to take care of. Can you give me a hand with my jacket?”
I snapped my head in his direction, wanting nothing more than to wring his neck. “They almost beat you to death. They broke your fucking arm like a toothpick.”
“Yeah, but they didn’t kill me, and thanks for reminding me I’m not as buff as you are.”
Daniel had called me instead of anyone else, which was the right protocol. There was no need further worrying our parents or Danika for that matter.
At least not until I had a handle on what the hell was going on.
“That’s not the point, Daniel.”
“You only call me by my full name when you’re pissed at me.” He laughed, then pressed his hand against his swollen eye.
“Consider me pissed. You’re fucking lucky one of your damn neighbors heard the commotion and called the police.” I’d made a few phone calls, making the complaint disappear from the books. It had taken nerve to go after my brother. That meant the Grassos were trying to make a point of their own. The tit for tat was getting out of hand.
“As if I wanted the fucking police involved. Are you going to help me or not?” he hissed then eased off the gurney.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake. Hold on.” I grabbed his jacket, putting it over his shoulders like I’d done with Jade. “You can’t get the cast through the sleeve.”
