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“My gut. She said things were going to plan until they didn’t. She’s been at this game a long-ass time. Too long for shit to turn sideways like this. Add that to the hit being local—”
“Local?”
“How else could she have gotten to us in her condition? She was close enough to survive a lot of blood loss.”
I nod because I can’t find any holes in his logic. “From the looks of her, she would have left a mass of bodies in her wake, but there was no massacre or mass killing on the news.”
“Exactly. Don’t you wonder why that is? Sloane has always cleaned up after herself, but she couldn’t this time. So who cleaned the mess if not someone who’d had her in their sights from the beginning?”
“What will you do and how can I help?”
Valentino’s eyes clear at my offer. “Help by sticking close to Sloane. Make sure she doesn’t leave.”
I begin to nod my agreement.
“I mean it. You can’t let her use your feelings for her against you. You’ll fold like you always do.”
Although I want to shy away in guilt, I can’t. “You and I both know she’s oblivious when it comes to how we feel about her. We were supposed to clear things up, but then she showed up in her condition.” I clench my hands into tight fists, overcome by the memory of her lying limp and bleeding in Valentino’s arms.
“You’re impatient to set the record straight as well.” Understanding shines through Valentino’s blue gaze.
“We’re not getting any younger. We’re twenty-eight now. How much longer must I wait while you two—”
“I know, amico. We haven’t been fair to you, but I’m asking for you to wait until I get back. In the meantime, keep her ass in the house and don’t tell her I’m out of town.”
“Even if she wanted to work her wiles on me, she’s too weak to follow through.” I sigh, not looking forward to the days that I must continue to mask my true feelings. “How long will you be away?”
“No longer than a week.”
I don’t ask him what his business is. Whether Douglas business or DeLuca business, I don’t need to know what dirt he fills his days with. As long as it never touches Sloane.
I may not have Valentino’s connections, but I’ve reconciled myself to the sacrifices I’m willing to make for the two most important people in my life. And there will be many.
* * *
My chair beckons my tired body. Between surgeries and being on call, I’ve been on my feet for almost thirty-six hours straight. I still have to stop by the clinic before I can call it a day and head to Valentino’s place.
I decide not to sit because I may never get up again if my ass touches a soft surface. Instead, I check my schedule for the following day. I’m not on call, so I’ll spend all day at the clinic.
Santa Lupita is a low-income medical center in one of Douglas’ neediest neighborhoods. Its existence is thanks to Valentino’s support and my vision. I may not run the clinic, but everyone, including the director, defers to me whenever I have an opinion or need. They’ve given me full access, though surprisingly I haven’t found the need for it.
I head there now.
When I pull up to my parking space, I notice the flashy Maybach and I scrub my face to reinvigorate myself for the conversation ahead. I enter my office, the size of a small walk-in closet, and find Sansone DeLuca sitting with his feet propped on my desk, juggling my paperweights.
I clear the medical journals from the seat facing the desk and ease my tired body onto the plush surface. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Slow down. You know I can’t sign as fast as you,” Sansone reminds me. He studied ASL when he learned Valentino learned it for my sake.
I repeat my question aloud for his benefit.
Sansone DeLuca is Valentino’s younger brother. They share a similarly painful past. He joined the family a year before Valentino and became Giulio’s legitimate heir when Giulio married Sansone’s mother, Martina. Soon after legitimizing Sansone, Martina disappeared, just like Valentino’s mom. I’ve always believed their shared tragedy is the reason Sansone is the only DeLuca Valentino trusts.
Sansone places the paperweights on the desk, lowers his feet, and wipes his easygoing demeanor and effortless smile from his face. The swift transformation is not new. Sometimes I wonder if his affable personality is a front for a dark side he doesn’t show often. My only evidence is the almost cruel twist to his lips that appears and disappears at odd moments.
“I need to get in touch with my brother. Have you seen him? He’s not answering his phone.”
I frown at the news. Although I have no idea what caused Valentino to leave, Sansone’s admission disturbs me. If Valentino isn’t on DeLuca business, Trevor should be with him, which is not the case based on the text message I received a few days ago.
