Page 67 of Capo

Ivan looks nothing like his usual powerful self, lying pale, plastic cords pushed into his veins, chest tubes, a ventilator hissing softly, smelling of antiseptic. I don’t even sit. Staring at him, taking in the beaten man, I then spin around and hurry out of the ICU, out of the hospital.

Standing in the dark, on the abandoned driveway outside the main entrance, waiting for Dustin to come back and pick me up, I have to take deep breaths to push back the nausea. In the chilly night, the air comes out as white clouds on every ragged exhale. He has to live. I need him. With a twitch, I remember Christian, pull up my phone and tap Nathan’s number.

“Uncle?” His voice is rough and he sounds as if he’s been through the wringer. “It’s one in the morning.”

“How’s Christiano? Is someone with him?”

He sighs. “Angela hasn’t left his side. They’ve pumped him full of meds.”

“But will he make it?”

“Fuck’s sake,” he groans, “can we talk tomorrow? I haven’t slept in forty-eight fucking hours, man!”

“Talk to me,” I snarl. “I’m having a really shitty day and I’ve just about had it with everyone and everything!”

“They can’t say, Luci! I don’t fucking know! All right?”

I grit my teeth as I try to exhale without it turning into a scream. “Did someone talk to you? Have you heard about what’s going on down here?”

“No, Uncle, I haven’t, and I can’t say that I—”

“They shot Ivan,” I grit out. “They shot up my club and my house.”

Nathan is silent. Along the street comes a black car at a high speed. Dustin is coming to pick me up.

“Who?” breathes Nathan, “who the fuck is attacking us?”

“Take care of your woman and your kid. See to Christian, make sure he has everything. Stay out of San Francisco. Call me as soon as the docs tell you anything. I’ll sort this.”

The black Mercedes comes to a halt in front of me and I disconnect the call. Dustin rolls down his window and leans out. “How’s the man?”

“Alive,” I growl. “For now. Take me to Carmen.”

If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it. I hop in the backseat and we’re off, chased by our demons, going fast, weaving in and out through the sparse traffic.

The Moreno-Payne household is quiet. The windows are dark. I have my finger on the doorbell but think better of it. Waking up the whole house would be counterproductive. Instead I throw Carmen a quick message. It takes a few moments, then it’s being read. She doesn’t answer, but I soon hear movement from inside and the door swings open.

“What are you doing here, Luciano?” Carmen’s eyes flash, black and fiery, as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“We need to talk. Pronto.” I cock my head for her to let me enter.

“I don’t like having you in my house.”

I explode. “After all these fucking years, Carmen!”

She clenches her jaw and then yelps as I grab around her waist and lift her. Moving inside, I kick the door shut and let the squirming little woman back down.

“Luci! You piece of shit!” she hisses.

“David’s in danger. You all need to relocate. Today. Use that brilliant mind of yours,” I put my finger to her forehead, “and don’t leave one single trace.”

Her mouth falls open as she widens her eyes. “Wha—”

“Everything’s been shot to hell. I’ve been attacked in my own home. They disabled my guards. I’m gathering everyone, and I mean everyone. We’re going to war.”

“War?” Her voice raises a pitch. “Ahh, Dio! I don’t want to know! What do we do? They’re going for David?”

“They will for fucking sure. I need you all out of the country. I can’t be distracted. I need to be invulnerable.”

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