Page 1 of Sins and Secrets

1

BILLIE

“We are calling to inform you Mr. Arturo Carbone has been in an accident and has been admitted to our urgent care.”

My entire world comes to a screeching halt as I pull my car over to the side of the road and stare at my phone in shock. The nurse’s words play over and over again in my head but I can’t make sense of them.

“Miss? Hello? Are you still there?”

“Wh-what? Yes, yes. I’m sorry, who is this again?”

“This is Nurse Hopkins calling from General Hospital. Is this not Billie Carbone, daughter of Arturo Carbone?”

This cannot be happening.

“Yes, I’m Billie. I’m sorry. Can you tell me what happened? How is he?”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. We are unable to give further information at this point. We are calling you because you are his emergency contact. If you want to come over, I’m sure the doctor will be able to provide you more details later tonight.”

“Thank you. I should be there shortly. Can you please at least tell me if he is going to be okay?”

“I’m sorry, miss, but the doctor will have more information for you.”

I fight the urge to scream and instead take a deep breath. “Alright. Thank you. Who do I ask for when I get there?”

“Doctor Michaels is the one handling your father’s case. He’s finished with your father’s surgery and will be heading into another, but he should be done by the time the tests come back.”

Surgery? Fuck, that’s not good.

I know this life is dangerous, especially for the Consiglieri for the famiglia, but Papa was supposed to be at home.

I hate this life. Why couldn’t he have listened to me?

“Thank you.” I look at the little speakerphone icon still glowing brightly. “Is there anything I should be prepared for when I walk in?”

“I really can’t discuss anything more with you. Doctor Michaels will have more information for you later tonight.”

“Look, I know that you’re doing your job, and I appreciate that, but this is my father. Isn’t there anything else you can tell me about how he’s doing? Please? Something?” I hate begging, but Papa is my world. He’s the only parent I’ve ever known. I can’t lose him now.

“I’m sorry.” The nurse doesn’t say anything else, disconnecting the call. I stare at the phone in disbelief.

Papa can be dying right now and this bitch just hung up on me.

I toss my phone onto the passenger seat with my wallet and try to remember how to breathe.

This isn’t the first time that my father’s been close to death. Nearly dying every year comes with the territory of being the consigliere to the most dangerous man in Atlanta.

It’s time to be done with the mafia for good. This time, I’ll make him listen.

For years I’ve been telling him that he’s getting too old to keep following younger men and being the first one into a fight. He doesn’t see it that way. He’s always thought that it’s an honor to be as close to Alessio Marchetti as he is.

I know better, though. Being close to Alessio is a death sentence. Always has been, always will be.

After calming my racing heart, I pull away from the curb and head to the hospital. Throughout the entire drive, all I can think about is how I’m going to save my father once he gets better.

This life is killing him. It’s killing me. We have to do what we must to survive, but the cost is getting too high to sustain.

The drive to the hospital is short, but the walk to the ICU feels unending. I glance at the names on the doors, looking for my father’s room. Finally, I see one door shut at the end of the hall.

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