Page 11 of Go Deep

My sister Eva’s tearful voice makes my gut twist. “Vince, it’s me. Daddy was just rushed to the hospital. He’s had a heart attack.”

Chapter 6

Vince

The blacked-out Expedition slows in front of Northern University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where my father lives. It’s one of about five that are parked nearby, flanked by police cars and television camera crews.

When a powerful U.S. senator suffers a heart attack, the media comes out in full force. And when said senator had led the charge on banning gay marriage in the state of Ohio, the opposing party has to wonder if they’re finally going to get a crack at his seat, a chance to make thingsright, ironically enough.

I thank my Uber driver and hop out of the back seat. Cameras point in my direction, flashes popping, fast and furious.

“Mr. Castro! Any word on the senator?”

“What does this mean to the party?”

“Do you think your dad will retire now?”

“What does this setback mean for his campaign?”

“Will the gay marriage ban be overturned without your dad championing it?”

Fucking reporters. They have no remorse, no boundaries. I ignore the questions peppering me from all directions, even though they’re the same ones that have been looping through my mind since I got the call. I rush through the doors and into the Emergency Room where Eva paces. Her face is tear-streaked, eyes bloodshot and puffy, but she’s still a beauty. Stunning, just like Mom was before she’d passed away.

I know that’s contributing to her distress, too. We haven’t been here since the night Mom died years ago, and I’m sure just sitting in this waiting room is dredging up those horrifying memories.

I pull her in for a tight hug. “He’s a tough old bird, E. Everything will be okay.”

“I just never expected it, you know? He’s so active and athletic, always goes for his medical checks.” She sniffs and wipes away the stray tears. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”

“It took me a little while to beat off the reporters camped outside of my building.” I grasp her hand, letting her lead me toward the elevator. “Is he awake?”

“He’s in the Coronary Care Unit. They gave him some medication to help him rest after all the testing was done, but the doctor said he should be up soon, if he’s not already.”

“If he’s awake, you know the nurses are going crazy right about now.”

Eva manages a small smile. “He’ll have a few dates lined up by the time he leaves, no doubt about that.”

We take the elevator to the second floor, where we’re greeted by a police officer manning the lobby. I shake his hands. “Officer Jackson, thanks for being here. It means a lot to me and my sister.”

Eva nods without a word, her eyes still watery, and I notice the cop’s gaze linger on her. My spine stiffens. It was definitely not a friendly “just doing my job” acknowledgement.It was more of a “I want you on your back in T-minus ten seconds” look. If my stomach wasn’t rolling before I stepped into the hospital, it sure as hell is now.

I grab her hand, pulling her toward the patient wing. That cop had better not be checking out her ass. A quick glance over my shoulder makes my gut clench.

Goddammit.

“Stop murdering him with your mind. I’m a big girl, Vince,” she whispers, squeezing my hand as we approach the room. “And perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“You’re still my little sister. Forgive me if I don’t like guys undressing you while I’m standing right next to you.” My voice is gruff, and the urge to run back to the cop and beat him down with his own club is powerful. Stupid, but still tempting.

“Only by three minutes. I think you should focus on your own love life instead of terrorizing anyone who dares to maintain eye contact with me for longer than a hot second.”

That sounds a hell of a lot like a challenge. “No issues here.”

Christ, the volume of lies is going to bury me one day.

Eva lifts a perfectly arched eyebrow. “Don’t you see? You just admitted to your biggest one.” She drops my hand and walks into the room.

Like I don’t already have all my issues fully catalogued. Between the two of us, we have enough baggage to fill all the luggage carousels in the Midwest.

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