Page 66 of Memento Mori
“I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual,” Alessandro said. “We just need to make sure we keep an eye on Viscuso and Puglisi.”
I was in agreement. I wouldn’t get comfortable in my position. I already had one person after me, I was sure I needed to add these two men to the list.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
PLAYING GAMES
Aaliyah
The doctor’s assurance that Tony’s surgery was successful brought me immense relief. All that was left was to wait. The doctor believed he wouldn’t be at risk of paralysis as long as there were no complications.
As of right now we were just waiting for him to wake up. They were gradually bringing him out of sedation, and I hoped to see him before the night was over. I just wanted him to know he wasn’t going through this alone. Although I was mad, he kept me from going with him to Grasso’s estate, I understood why he did what he did whether I agreed with his decision.
“I’m going to get some coffee,” I said as I stood.
“Let me get that for you, Donna,” Luca said, standing.
I waved him off. I needed to walk. I needed time to myself. The constant stares and inquiries about my well-being were wearing me out. I had no choice but to portray the strong and capable Donna, even though all I desired was to be his wife.
Chantal and Daniel had left a few hours ago. Alessandro would return later tonight, and these men had been here with me 24/7, taking breaks only for food, a few hours of sleep, and showers. They shared responsibilities, ensuring I was never left alone. At this moment, Luca, Franco, as well as a few more soldiers were here. I’d already sent Abel away so he could get some sleep even though he was also reluctant to do so. While I was glad to have all their support, I just needed to be alone to just act like a wife who had experienced one of the worst moments of her life, not the Donna of the Rizzo family.
“I need some time to myself, Luca. I promise, I’ll be fine.”
Even though he didn’t look happy about my decision, Luca nodded.
I left the waiting room, walked past the nurses’ station, and reached the elevators. When I pressed the button, the elevator door immediately opened. I entered the elevator and pushed the button for the cafeteria on the second floor.
“Could you hold the elevator!” someone shouted, her voice thick with an accent.
I used my hand to stop the door from closing. In a hurry, a tall woman with dark skin and long hair that nearly reached herwaist made her way to the elevator doors. She was impeccably dressed in a black pantsuit and strappy stiletto heels.
I stepped back so she could step on.
“Thank you,” she said, breathing a little hard.
“No problem.”
Resting against the elevator’s rear, I inhaled deeply, mentally planning all the preparations needed for Tony’s arrival. Our home here in Italy, as well as the one in the United States. The doctor mentioned that he would need to use a wheelchair for a few weeks during his recovery. Which I knew he was going to bitch about, but he’d have no other choice.
The doctor insisted we stay in Italy for a few more weeks before we returned to Chicago. I wasn’t too happy with that decision because I was ready to return home. If I had the choice, we would have taken the earliest flight back to Chicago, where he could recover in the comfort of our own home.
“How is your day going?” the woman asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
Her accent was very thick, but I could understand her.
“Good, considering,” I said.
“I hate hospitals,” she said, taking a step back and getting way too close to me.
There was something unsettling about the way she smiled. The hairs on the back of my neck stood upright. I shifted to the side, creating some space between us. The elevator was spacious, and it was just the two of us inside. There was no reason for her to stand so close to me.
“You’re not the only one,” I said. “I can think of a million other places I rather be.”
“Are you visiting someone?” she asked.
I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. Not to be rude,” I said when the elevator reached the second floor. “I’m not in the talking mood, so you’ll have to excuse me.”
I exited as soon as the elevator doors opened.
