Page 32 of DeLuca: The Devil

He disconnects the call and says, “There’s a Jane Doe that was transported to the hospital two hours ago. She matches the description of Giada, but she’s badly beaten, Domenic. They need you to come in and try to identify her.”

My heart stops. Have we found her? And what condition will she be in? “Let’s go.”

Max says, “Can my team stay here? The rest of us can go in my van.”

I nod, “Yeah, that’s fine. Make yourselves at home.”

We rush out of the house, just myself, Max, Damian, and my security team following behind us.

Damian slides into the back with me, and Max drives us to the hospital. My brother grabs my shoulder affectionately, “It might not be her, brother. Please don’t convince yourself it is until you see her for yourself.”

I nod, “I know.”

“One thing I can’t figure out is if it’s Giada, why would they dump her body to be found? Why wouldn’t they dispose of her like anyone else?”

I run my fingers over my jaw while I contemplate his question, “Maybe they thought she’d die and wanted me to find her body?”

Damian sighs loudly, “Some answers we may need to get from her.”

I agree, but I don’t know if she’s even going to live long enough to answer questions. I never should’ve started this war. I’ve never backed down from a fight before, but my wife is the one who has paid the price for it. They didn’t come after me. They came after her. Having to buy another house because they destroyed the old one was nothing. The injuries I had from the bombing, also nothing. My wife is fucking everything. Living a year without her has been hell.

Silently, I say a prayer, “God, please let it be her and let her live. If you do, I'll leave the business. I just want my wife back.”

My brothers would be pissed if I stepped away, especially Damian, because most of it would fall on his shoulders, but I don’t care about any of that right now.

We finally arrive at the hospital, and I open the door before the van comes to a complete stop. I run through the emergency room doors and head to the desk.

“I’m here to identify a Jane Doe.”

The receptionist gives me a sad look, “Mr. De Luca?”

“Yes.”

“Dr. Jacobsen will be right with you.”

I grip the counter so hard I’m sure you can see the white on my knuckles, “Can I just see her? I’ve been searching for my wife for a goddamn year. Do you know what that’s like?”

My voice is rough and drenched in emotion but it does me little good. She looks at me and steps back, “It has to be the doctor that brings you in. Take a seat, or I’ll have to call security.”

I hold my hands up to let her know I’m not a threat, “I’m going to sit down now.”

I’m aware that at six-foot-seven and decorated with tattoos, I look like a physical threat to most women. Hell, I’m a physical threat to most men. Getting kicked out of this hospital is not an option right now. After I take a seat, she sits back down exhaling a deep breath.

Damian and Max come in and sit beside me, “Anything?” my brother asks.

“Nope. We are waiting for the doctor. He has to be the one to take me to see her.”

They both sit with me silently, knowing anything anyone says might set me off right now.

Chapter Twenty-Five

DOMENIC

Three fucking hours later, the doctor appears and sits beside us.

“I’m going to take you to see our Jane Doe, but I wanted to have a conversation with you first, Mr. De Luca.”

I’m about to jump out of my chair and throttle him, so he might want to get to it sooner rather than later.

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