“Why the fuck are you naked?” Vincenzo barks, yanking up the bedsheet when he notices my gaze traveling down Roberto’s back.
“I woke up this way. Ask Anton,” Roberto chuckles. “She’s a doctor, she’s seen a few bare asses, I’m sure.”
“It’s fine,” I say. “I need a bowl of soapy water and another bowl of clean water.”
Vincenzo studies me for a moment then gives a hard nod.
“Roberto.” I lean over and whisper in his ear while Vincenzo is preoccupied in the attached bathroom. “I need you to help me. I have to get out of here.” I look over his back toward the bathroom door while pleading with him.
He pushes up slightly, wincing from the pain it caused, then levels me with a hard stare. Not scary like his older brother, but sincere. “Don’t try to leave, Stephania. He’ll catch you. I can’t help you; you’ll have to wait it out. You’ll see, it’s going to be fine.” There’s hope in his tone, but it seems like he’s reaching for it, not offering it.
“Here.” Vincenzo comes back into the room with everything I need. He places the bowls on the nightstand and picks up the drink, tossing it back in one swallow.
“Hey!” Roberto protests.
“You can have another after.” Vincenzo points to me. “Get started.”
I do my best to forget he’s there and get to work. The stitches are holding well, but the wound still looks nasty. If he gets an infection that spreads, I can’t treat him here in the house. Once I have the wound clean, I smear a thin layer of petroleum jelly over it before pressing a clean gauze pad to it and secure it.
“Okay, roll back over. Easy now, it’s going to hurt.” I help him maneuver onto his back and stifle a smile when Vincenzo lurches forward to grab the sheet, keeping his brother’s private area private.
“I’m hungry,” Roberto complains as I secure the last bandage onto his chest.
“He needs IV antibiotics. It’s not something I can just call into your local pharmacy. He should be in the hospital.” I stand up, stretching my back, and face Vincenzo. “I missed my shift today. I’ve never been even a minute late. The hospital is going to notice. My boss is going to look for me,” I point out.
Vincenzo has his phone in his hand and he’s tapping out something on the screen.
“What do you need?” he asks; his thumbs pause over the phone.
“Well, besides the medication there’s the IV supplies,” I say with a heavy sigh. He’s just not getting this. It would be easier to just let me go.
“What’s the medication called?”
“Zosyn. It’s given intravenously.” I put my hands on my hips. Let him sort that out with his little text messages.
His thumbs move over the screen and then he puts the phone away. “Everything you need will be here in an hour.”
“Like a shot?” Roberto asks, appalled.
I stare at him for a long moment. “You were shot with a gun, and you’re scared of a needle?”
“I’m not scared,” he defends then tugs his blankets up to his chest with his good arm. “I just don’t like them.”
“He’ll do fine. While we’re waiting for the supplies to get here, you can wait in your room. I’ll have some dinner brought up to you.” Vincenzo grabs my arm.
“I don’t need you dragging me all over the place.” I tug free. He raises his brow but doesn’t grab for me again.
“Your attitude is going to get you in a lot of trouble,” he warns me.
I roll my eyes and head for the door.
“We’ll be back once the supplies come and get you situated,” he tells Roberto as he follows me to the door.
Once I’m in the hall, I step to the side, so he walks in front of me. He gives me a curious glance but starts heading down the hall, fully expecting me to follow him.
But he’s wrong.
This is my only chance.