Page 46 of The Doctor's Promise
Bepi nodded and snuggled into her as she held him. They stayed there for a while, just hugging until there was a large crash, and they both jumped out of their skins.
Shocked, Bepi started to wail, and Noemi tried to comfort him. “It’s okay, baby.”
She heard Zani laugh from the foyer, and her face set with anger. “Whoops!” Zani cackled as he almost fell into the kitchen. He grinned widely at them both, and Noemi felt her heart sink. From his pinpoint pupils to the strong whiff of alcohol emanating from him, Zani was out of control, and Noemi didn’t want Bepi to see his uncle like that.
She got up, clutching the little boy. “Zani, grab yourself some coffee and stay here.”
“I smashed a bottle out there.” He waved in the general direction of the hallway.
“I’ll clean it up. Just let me settle Bepi.” She hurried Bepi, who had gone very quiet, up to his bedroom. “Sweetie, just stay up here for a while. I’ll come and see to you when Pa gets home.”
Bepi’s eyes were wide. “Is Uncle Zani okay?”
“He is, darling. He’s just tired.” She kissed Bepi’s forehead and went back down stairs. She saw the bottle of champagne smashed on the marble floor and gritted her teeth. Rafa would go insane that his security let Zani into the house in that condition.
She picked up the biggest pieces of glass then went back into the kitchen to find something to clean up the alcohol and small pieces. Zani was standing, facing away from her, bent over the counter. Noemi couldn’t believe it, but he was snorting up a line of white powder.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” She was yelling, but she didn’t care. She dumped the broken glass in the trash and pushed him away from the counter. Remnants of white powder were stuck to the granite as well as around the edge of Zani’s nostrils.
He laughed, then his eyes flared with desire as he looked at her. “God, I have to give it to my brother… you really are a gorgeous woman.”
He lurched at her, but she sidestepped him, and he fell against the counter. “Aww, come on, Noe, gimme some sugar.”
Was this guy for real?
“I think you’ve had far too much sugar, Zani. Rafa will be home soon. You want him to see you like this?”
She moved to grab a cloth to clean up the countertop, but he grabbed her around the waist and swung her around. “Dance with me.”
“No… let me go!”
Noemi struggled with him, but Zani was a big man, strong like Rafa, and with cocaine pumping through his system, her slight frame was no match. He grabbed her hand and ‘danced’ her around the room, quicker and quicker until she felt sick.
“Zani, let me go now, please.” She pleaded with him, but he just laughed. He moved faster as she tried to free herself, but then Zani stumbled and they both fell, Zani’s weight on top of Noemi. She felt her back smash into the cold tile of the floor, Zani’s elbow in her solar plexus.
Winded, she choked as she saw Rafa’s furious face from behind Zani’s prone body. He hauled his brother off of her and threw him across the room before scooping her up. “What the hell is going on?”
Noemi caught her breath, opened her mouth to speak, but then saw Zani convulsing, frothing at the mouth. Fuck.
“Rafa, call 911.” She darted to his brother, shifting him onto his side, making sure his airways were clear. Zani’s eyes were open and staring.
“What the hell?”
“He’s overdosing, I think. Zani? Zani, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand.” Noemi waited as she held Zani’s hand but felt nothing. “Shit. Rafa, get the paramedics here. I’m going to try to help him breathe.”
She blew air into Zani’s lungs, feeling for a pulse. It was there but weak. She would have to keep him breathing until the paramedics arrived.
“Pa?”
Oh no. Noemi looked up to see Bepi, his little face terrified. Rafa, talking to the paramedics, picked his son up and hugged him.
“It’s okay, slugger. Zani’s not feeling well is all.”
“Take him out of here,” Noemi said softly, “because I can’t be sure…”
She didn’t have to say the words. I can’t be sure Zani won’t die.
Rafa nodded and went out of the room. Noemi kept up her efforts until the paramedics arrived and relinquished her control gratefully as the first responders treated Zani.
