Page 13 of Giorgio

Giorgio stiffened in anger and had to remind himself that the man was entitled to his insults. This was new for him.

He was accustomed to people kowtowing to him, bending over backwards to please him. He was the son of Alfredo Russo, from a lengthy line of important people in society. He was Italian royalty, but right now, none of that mattered one bit.

“I understand…”

“You don’t understand shit! I might be a lowly American lawyer, but I know the goddamn law and if my sister suffers from any lasting consequences, I will make certain you and your lofty family feel the effect of my wrath.”

Giorgio closed his eyes and took a breath. “I am sure you want to come and check on her yourself. We will make the jet available…”

“I am due in court and cannot very well hand over the case to someone else.” The frustration in the man’s voice was evident. “I need to speak to the doctor.”

“Of course. I assure you Mr….”

“Campbell.” Was the terse reply. “I was the one who persuaded my sister to take that trip. We just lost our dad almost a month ago and she… Never mind that. Get the doctor on the phone.”

*****

“Was he threatening to notify the authorities?” Giorgio was slumped in one of the armchairs in the waiting room, a brooding expression on his face.

His father had tried to persuade him to go home and get some sleep, but he wasn’t budging.

“No, but that is an incredibly angry young man. I took his details and promised to give him round the clock update.” The doctor looked from father to son. “He wants to fly into the country as soon as he is able.”

“She just lost her dad.”

The two men stared at him in consternation.

“Cristo!” Alfredo muttered, making the sign of the cross.

“I am going to suggest that you both go on home and get some rest.” The doctor suggested. “I will call if there are any changes, which I doubt will happen for the rest of the night.” He directed a glance at Giorgio. “You have my word.”

“He is right son; you look like hell.”

He nodded and pushed himself out of the chair. “Call me the minute there is anything to report.”

“Of course.”

*****

Nightmares chased him for the remainder of the night, and it was close to dawn before he succumbed to sleep.

But even though he had gotten but a few hours of shut eye, he was awake at dawn and a glance at his phone indicated thathe had not received any calls. Swinging his legs off the bed, he dragged restless fingers through his hair. He had insisted on driving the vehicle home last night, much to his father’s distress.

“Don’t worry papa,” he had told the man sardonically. “I have reached my quota of accidents for the year.”

That remark had not sat well with him, and he had simply turned and walked over to his own vehicle.

They had both arrived home within minutes of each other and met in the marble foyer. To his credit and to Giorgio’s immense relief, there had been no accusations or lecture. In fact, his father had not said anything at all except that they should both retire and get some sleep.

Now sitting on the edge of the bed, he was waiting with trepidation for the phone call that would herald the awful news that he had taken another person’s life. That he had not received any late-night call was of no comfort to him.

That young woman who was visiting their country had been mowed down by him and was lying on her back with tubes attached to her and a cast on her leg. She had just lost her father, and he had compounded her problem, by taking his vehicle out and carelessly driving above the speed limit.

He deserved to be flogged within an inch of his life. What was even worse was that there wasn’t a scratch on him. The seatbelt had tethered him, only straining against his chest and his clothing had protected his flesh from the imprint. While that young woman was lying in a clinic with possible brain damage.

The car had sustained minimum damage, a mere fender bender. She had taken everything. He had hit her from behind and sent her airborne before she landed hard in the embankment, jarring her with enough force to dislodge the helmet and breaking her leg against some rocks.

His nightmare had been vicious as he kept wondering what if she lost her memory permanently or became brain dead? Would he be able to live with himself if that happened?

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