Page 72 of Obsession

twenty-three

Damian

Leaving Lindy in the care of the guards, I step outside the hotel. My car waits for me right out front, a gunmetal gray Benz-E class. Luxury but not too flashy and fully loaded for comfort. I ease into the back seat, inhaling the familiar scent of the leather. I love this car. I relax as my driver winds through the streets of the city.

At the hospital, I move to the top floor, to the Bachman wing. There’s a gold plate as you enter that reads, Donated in memory of Brett Bachman. Doctor Thomas, part of our medical staff from the Village, waits for me outside my father’s door.

The slim, middle-aged man wears metal-framed glasses, his striped button-down shirt tucked into casual trousers. He flips through the paperwork he holds. I’m hoping for good news. I want him to tell me the accident was an accident.

Not what I fear it was…my dad’s attempt to end his sadness for good.

He greets me with a firm handshake. “Damian. Welcome home. Your father has a few guests now, but I’ll ask everyone to leave in about twenty minutes so he can rest.”

I wonder who’s here. I glance over my shoulder but there’s a thick green curtain pulled closed over the window. I’ll know soon enough.

“How is he?” I ask.

“We’re running some tests. I’d like to keep him here overnight for observation, but I’m pretty sure unless something out of the ordinary shows up in his bloodwork, he’ll be cleared to go home, hopefully tomorrow.”

“But he’s stable?” The question I really want to ask sits on the tip of my tongue, resting in the pit of my gut. “He won’t…”

Dr. Thomas puts a hand on my shoulder, holding my gaze. “He’s still heavily sedated from the trip. I won’t know more until we can get the blood tests back and the psychiatric team talks to him. So far, it looks like he had an accident.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “That’s good.”

“But I’m not ruling anything out.” The doctor’s hand falls from my shoulder.

The small amount of relief I felt dwindles. “I’ll go see him now.”

I walk in the room to see my dad sleeping peacefully, a fresh hospital gown on, a clean bandage wrapped around his head, a few layers of blankets pulled up to his chin. A woman stands at his side, her long dark hair hiding her face. She pushes it back, tucking it behind her ear.

Instantly, I feel better. “Aunt Sasha. What are you doing here? I thought you were in Connecticut.” I cross the room, taking her in a tight embrace.

“Damian.” She squeezes me tight, one hand rubbing my shoulder. “It’s just a few hours’ drive from the Hamlet. I had to see him. Paisley is here too. When she heard Uncle Dante wasn’t well and was here in the States, she insisted on coming with me.”

I glance around the room. “Where is she?”

“Just stepped out to call her mom. She wanted to let Paige know he’s settled and sleeping,” Sasha says.

“That was sweet of Paise,” I say. “To come see Pops.”

“I know. She’s such a sweetheart. I can’t believe she’s going to be twenty-one.” Sasha shakes her head. “I’m so sorry. We have to leave in the morning. I’ve got to get Paisley back. Otherwise, she’ll be exhausted for her gala.”

“I totally understand. I’ll arrange a driver for you,” I say. “I’m just happy you’re here now.”

She apologizes again. “Sorry it’s such a short visit, but Clara has already called twice, asking our ETA. The flowers just arrived and she’s not sure where they go.”

“With everything going on with Dad, I’d totally forgotten about the party. I hope Paisley has a great time.” I add, “And Paige.”

“I know. Paige has been planning this thing for the past year. I’ve only been in the whirlwind for a few weeks but long enough to know Paige has invited all of the Hamlet and half the Village. We hate it’s such a quick visit, but I wanted to lay eyes on him. And you.” She holds a hand to my cheek. “I remember your own entrance to the family like it was yesterday.”

I think back to the hardest but most fulfilling week of my life. “So do I.”

For the men raised in the family, we go through our initiation at eighteen. A grueling experience that takes several weeks, but when you come through on the other side, you’re a man, ready to learn all the secrets we hold, ready to take your place working for the family. A job is chosen for you, according to your strengths.

I began the program training the brotherhood in martial arts.

We fall into a silence, staring at my father. His breaths are steady. Peaceful. The monitor beeps softly, tracking his heart rate and blood pressure.

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