Page 26 of Hot Moves

The ride to the hospital is a blur of frantic thoughts and pounding adrenaline. Antonio drives with a sense of urgency that matches my own, weaving through the city streets with a precision born of necessity.

My mind is a storm of fear and determination. I can’t lose her. Not now. Not ever.

Arriving at the hospital, I barely wait for the car to stop before I’m out, striding through the entrance with Antonio at my heels. The sterile smell hits me immediately, the bright lights harsh and unforgiving.

“Where are they?” I bark at the nurse behind the desk, my voice commanding and leaving no room for hesitation.

“Who are you looking for?” Her bored, quiet professionalism makes me want to slam my fist through the goddamn window she’s standing behind.

“Fucking hell,” I growl as Antonio steps up and takes over for me.

“We’re here for Mira and Lila Jones.” Before the nurse can answer, Renaldo walks over and signals for us to follow him.

As we approach the last room at the end of the hall, I catch sight of Mario standing guard outside the room. His expression is grave, and he straightens as we approach.

“Are they okay?” I ask, my voice a blend of authority, barely contained terror, and rage.

“Stable, but Mira was unconscious for a while,” Renaldo says. “Lila is mostly unharmed, but they’re both shaken.”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. “I need to see her,” I say, pushing past and entering the room.

Mira lies on a hospital bed, her face pale but peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos I’m feeling inside. Lila is sitting in the chair next to the bed, awake but looking dazed, her eyes widening with relief when she sees me.

“Mira,” I say softly, crossing swiftly to her side and taking her hand in mine. She stirs slightly, her eyelids fluttering.

“Lorenzo,” she whispers, her voice weak but unmistakably hers. “I knew you’d come.”

“I’m here,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion. “I’m right here. You’re safe.”

She tries to smile, the effort both achingly beautiful and heartbreaking. I brush a strand of hair from her face, my heart swelling with a mixture of relief and fierce protectiveness.

Lila looks over, her eyes filling with tears. “She… she called out for you. It was all she could think about.”

I nod, choking back the lump in my throat. “I will always come for her.”

Antonio and Renaldo step into the room, their presence a reminder that even in this sanctuary, the outside world waits. But for now, for this moment, I focus solely on Mira, my fierce resolve solidifying into an unbreakable promise.

“Rest now,” I say softly, leaning in to press a kiss to Mira’s forehead. “I’m here. We’ll get through this. Together.”

As her eyes close, finding solace in my presence, I sit by her side, my hand tightly holding hers.

As Mira drifts off to sleep, her breathing evens out, and I gently release her hand. Each step away from her bedside feels like I’m leaving a part of myself behind, but there are questions in need of answers and actions I need to take. I walk to the door, casting one last glance at her peaceful form before stepping into the hospital hallway.

The fluorescent lights cast a stark, unyielding glow on everything, amplifying the sterile scent of antiseptics. Antonio and Luca are waiting just outside, their faces a mix of concern and steely determination. Renaldo stands a bit further down the hall, talking quietly with one of the nurses.

I motion for Antonio and Luca to follow me to a more secluded corner, away from prying eyes and ears. I need answers, and I need them quickly.

“Tell me,” I say, my voice low but charged with an intensity that brooks no interference. “Was this accident deliberate? Was Mira targeted?”

Antonio shakes his head, his eyes meeting mine with unwavering seriousness. “We don’t think so, Lorenzo. From the initial reports, it looks like a careless driver ran a red light and hit the SUV. Renaldo overheard a paramedic telling a cop the asshole was drunk off his ass.”

Luca nods in agreement. “It doesn’t appear to be a planned attack, but we’re not taking any chances. We’re going to investigate thoroughly, and I’ve already put some of our best men on it.”

I swallow hard, the tightness in my chest easing but not disappearing. “I want surveillance footage pulled from every camera on that street. I want the driver’s identification, background checks, everything. We can’t assume this was random.”

Antonio’s eyes mirror my own intensity. “Agreed. We’ll start with traffic cams and local businesses. If there’s anything suspicious, we’ll find it.”

“And increase security for Mira and Lila,” I say, my voice firm. “No gaps. I want them covered at all times.”

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