Page 9 of Fierce Protector

KATERINA

Iunderstand why Stefano came to the hospital, really, I do. The Cosa Nostra protect their own, and I’ve had thirty-four years to adjust to their way of doing things. Right now, anyone inserting themselves into my life is a problem. The Syndicate is about to tear itself in two. Lines will be drawn, and people are going to be hurt. I need to be able to fly under the radar, not be under constant watch by some misguided crush.

It's only been two days, and Danny has already backed off. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him on my last shift. I feel a little bad, but I’m not a people person, and having to be consistently professional while he was refusing to take the hint was grating on my last nerve.

I wish he’d cut it out with the notes though. It’s unsettling knowing he’s been creeping into the doctor’s lounge to slip them through the vents in my locker everyday. It’s beginning to feel more and more like a violation. Today's was a bit much, even for him.

I’m disappointed in you, Doctor Mancini. He’s not good enough for you.

I crumple the paper and throw it in the trash, fighting off a shiver at the tone. The difference between sweet and unnerving is persistence in the face of rejection. The last thing I need is for Stefano to see this. I’ll admit the notes are crossing a line, but if I show it to Stefano, he’ll overreact. I can’t have him hospitalising James Costello’s son.

I’m doubting myself, because I really thought Danny had got the message when I said no to a second date, but that can’t be the case if he’s still sending me these notes. How did I read him so wrong?

I’m just changing out of my scrubs when my phone echoes in my locker. When I check the notifications, the bottom drops out of my stomach. I have six missed calls from Sinclair and no voicemails. Members of criminal organisations tend not to leave messages when the contents could get them put away for years. The volume of calls doesn’t bode well, so I call him back immediately, and he picks up on the first ring.

“We need you,” Sinclair shouts down the line. His voice is urgent and strained as he goes on to give me the details of where I’m needed. It sounds like an absolute clusterfuck of a situation and there’s no way I’m not dropping everything to help them. It’s an all-out siege between the Bianchis and the De Lucas. I gasp when hedrops the bomb that the De Lucas have captured Aurora. I worked my ass off to save her when her psycho husband left her for dead and I’ll be damned if I let them finish the job.

“Shit, I’m on my way. Where?”

“Stefano is on his way to you. We have basic med-kits. Bring anything else you think we might need for triaging an all-out assault.”

“Got it.” Hanging up, I throw the phone down on the bench and grab a fresh set of scrubs. I don’t have anything else with me that would be appropriate. Digging out my sneakers and pulling them on, I tie my hair back before grabbing a hoodie from the long-neglected gym kit at the bottom of my locker. I turf out everything else in the bag, then grab my phone and slam my locker shut, turning and nearly jumping out of my skin when I discover Danny standing in the doorway.

“You scared the shit out of me, Danny. What are you doing in here?” I snap. It’s late, and even though I told Stefano he’s not a real threat, catching him watching me is more than a little unsettling.

“Sorry, Doctor Mancini. Is everything okay?” he asks, his voice laced with a little too much concern, so much it sets my teeth on edge. He doesn’t move out of my way as I head towards the door and despite his over-familiarity, he does look genuinely concerned, but I really don’t have time for whatever this is right now.

“Family emergency,” I say, and I barge him out of the way. As I head down the hallway towards the supply cupboard, I can hear the squeak of his thick-soled running shoes following me. Acutely aware that I’munder a time crunch, I opt for ignoring him and hoping he doesn’t get in my way. I shoulder open the door, stepping into the room, and grabbing anything I think will be useful. Should I be using the hospital as my personal dispensary? No, but I don’t think the kits I designed for our teams to carry with them will be enough. I have a stockpile of supplies at home that I can grab later if necessary, but you can never have enough gauze or suture kits when you’re launching an assault on a rival family. I start cherry-picking a few smaller items when the door behind me opens.

“You going to tell me what’s going on?” Danny presses. His brow is drawn in what looks like worry as opposed to judgment. I deserve judgment. I’m stealing from the hospital after all.

I turn, cocking a hip and resting the holdall on it, checking what I’ve already got. “Wasn’t planning to.”

“You keep a lot of secrets,” he says. It’s a statement and not a question, and I have no doubt that he’s also referring to the recent revelation of my newboyfriendas well as the fact I’m about to walk off shift with a bag full of stolen supplies.

“Ones I’m not going to elaborate on, Danny. I have to go.” I zip up the bag, throw it over my shoulder, and elbow my way past him. “I’m sorry. If Icouldtell you… I still probably wouldn’t.” When I look back, my apology appears to have softened his expression, and he nods before turning and letting me go without uttering another word.

Stefano isquiet as he drives us across town. With every passing minute, the tension grows, leaving me worrying my lip and picking at my cuticles. This is not how I saw today going. I’m only called in after the action, never before it.

“You’re to stay out of harm’s way, in a van with your father’s men. Any injuries will be brought to you, and when we find Aurora and Nico, you’ll get them to safety. You’re not to be within a quarter mile of the compound. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.” I fail abysmally to hide the ‘fuck you’ in my tone. I want to be doing more than just hanging back and picking up the pieces. Doesn’t he realise this whole situation hurts me just as much as it hurts him?

We’ve been betrayed. Sold out to Salvatore De Luca. I may not be a foot soldier, but I was born and raised in this life and there’s no way I’m standing by and letting monsters like the De Lucas slaughter us.

“What about Dad?” I try to hide the tremor in my words and fail, my voice breaking.

“We’re hitting the De Lucas with a rapid response and reduced numbers. Your father is coordinating back up from Zo’s safe house.”

“Does he know I’m on the ground too?”

Stefano doesn’t reply immediately. “He knows you’ll be on the perimeter.” He turns his head briefly and raises an eyebrow. “Don’t make a liar out of me.”

“Don’t start with me, old man.”

There’s a barely audible growl from the driver’s seat, though I don’t know if it’s because I’m arguing with himor because I called him old. I’m nervous and taking it out on him, so I feel a little bad about both.

“Sorry,” I say meekly. “I didn’t mean to snap. I know you’re only trying to protect me.”

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