“Rocco called. He told me everything that happened. He said you were in a motorcycle accident and you needed surgery. When I arrived, doctors and nurses filled the room trying to revive you. Luciano lost it. He had his men carry Rocco out of the room. I don’t know where they took him.”

“Yes, you do, mother. You’ve gone there with Dad. I have, too.”

Ameer strolled the wheelchair toward me. “It’s time for a fun spin to the back door.”

They chuckled. These guys clearly loved an adventure. Mom quickly kissed my head and stared at me a moment longer. “I love you so much, Ryah.”

The tears burned the backs of my eyes. “By mother,” I choked out.

I loved my mother, but she put my father’s needs above mine. That was the absolute last time they’d treat me like a child.

Ameer whipped past the nurses’ station. “Not a nurse or doctor said one word to the man wearing a suit pushing the patient down the hall, still wearing a hospital gown. In a normal situation, they would’ve sent security to stop us. They wouldn’t dare lift a finger if they valued their lives. Dominic Magarelli was feared in Philly and New Jersey. They knew what was best for them, so they turned a blind eye.

I’d seen Dominic a few times recently. His friend Marco, owned strip clubs here. Whenever he was in town, he touched bases with me. He asked about school and if Rocco was still treating me right. The answer was always the same. He treats me like a princess. He’d smirk and end the conversation the same way every time. If you need anything at all don’t hesitate to ask. I was lucky I had a cousin like him. One who’d fly from Palo Alto to Philly in the middle of the night to free me and help find my boyfriend. Dead or alive. I swallowed hard at the thought that my boyfriend was dead. Dad wasn’t at the hospital much because he probably had to deal with his best friend. They were quite possibly at war.

Ameer climbed into the back seat behind me and draped a wool coat over my body. Lying on the seat, I curled into myself, trying to ignore the pain.

Dominic peeked at me from the front passenger seat. “If I would’ve known you didn’t have a change of clothes, I would’ve broken into my soon to be girlfriend’s apartment and borrowed a few things,” he said, with a straight face.

My brows lowered. “What do you mean ‘broken’ into her place?” I air quoted with one hand.

“You know, I would’ve sent one of my guys into her apartment while she was sleeping to collect an outfit for you.”

“Does she know you like her?”

“Yeah, she does. Carmen’s a workaholic. Her focus is her research. Never thought I’d compete with science for a woman.” He shook his head.

“I’m taking my time with her. She’ll crack sooner rather than later.”

Dominic pointed to Walmart. “West, park near the door.”

He peeked at me again. “I know this isn’t Neiman’s, but it’s the only place open this early. Something tells me we need to get to your boyfriend quickly.”

“We do before my dad moves him.”

I rattled off my sizes to West. “Just grab a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans. You’ll find everything near the front of the store.”

“Got it.” West vacated the truck.

“I didn’t know the rich girl shopped at Walmart,” Dominic laughed.

“It’s not far from campus. Like you said, you can shop here anytime.”

“Ryah, once you become a made woman, put your grandfather down,” he said matter-of-factly, as he stared out the windshield.

“Rocco said before we have children he had to go.”

“Smart guy. I’ve always liked Rocco. Ever since I heard that he told the world you belonged to him. That’s a move I’d make.”

I snorted. “It is. When are you moving back to Jersey?”

“In two years. I’ll be back in Philly soon. We’ll hang out.”

“I’d love that.”

***P***

Twenty minutes later, West rolled the SUV to a stop outside dad’s warehouse.