Page 103 of Hot Momosa

Ignoring every fucking one of them, I wrapped Gunnar in the shiny blanket and pressed his head to my shoulder. The least I could do was hide his face from the vultures. If everything went to shit, there wouldn’t be photos of me carrying him into the hospital the night he lost his mother.

He struggled to look around, but I held him tight. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

I’d said something similar to Dahlia. Fat load of good it’d done. In the end, my promises had been empty. Someone had gotten to her. And Enzo.

Shanna’s pregnant. Damn it. She must be a basket case.

Once inside, I peeled the blanket back to give Gunnar some air and speed-walked down the corridor.

“Daddy?” He glanced around wide-eyed. “Where we at?”

“We’re going to meet your Uncle Gabe. Remember him? He’s going to take care of you for a little while. Okay?” I wove through the maze of a hospital.

Gunnar nodded and shoved his thumb in his mouth.

The emergency waiting room was standing room only, but I didn’t recognize a soul.

Where the hell are they?

I strode toward the desk, but Dante caught up to me midway.

His eyes were red and swollen, but he managed a smile. “They’re both going to be okay.”

“Thank, Christ.” I struggled to hold back my tears for Gunnar’s sake. “Where is everyone?”

“This way.” He nodded to the woman at the desk, and she pushed a security button.

The set of double doors to the right whooshed open to reveal more chaos than I’d encountered in the parking lot. Doctors, nurses, and who-the-hell-knew what else darted in all directions. Some wheeling patients, some carrying handheld computers, and others had their hands full of meds and IV bags. No one stood still.

Dante led us through the beehive of medical staff to a small waiting room.

My entire fam damnily turned and stared—including my mother.

Shit.

Evelyn Marchionni sat in the middle seat facing the door as if waiting. Even from a distance, I could tell she muttered a prayer as she glanced from me to the child in my arms.

Maggie gave me a sympathetic smile, as did Gabe, but no one could save me from what I was about to face.

Marco took a step in my direction, but Nico, his wife, put her hand on his arm and shook her head.

“I need to see Dahlia.” I’d spoken to the group, but the declaration was for my mother. We’d have plenty of time to discuss her grandchild later.

“Mamma is here?” Gunnar perked up. “I see her?”

“Soon, but I need to talk to her first, okay?”

He tensed and made his pre-tantrum face, eyes narrowed, mouth open. Much to my surprise, he sighed and rested his head on my shoulder.

Shanna walked into the room, stiff and stone-faced. “Enzo’s in surgery to remove the bullet. There doesn’t appear to be any damage to his internal organs, but the docs will know more once they get in and look around.”

My mom pressed her hand to her chest and hung her head.

“Is Dahlia back there? Can you take me to her?” I locked eyes with Shanna. Besides needing to see my girl, I had questions. About a million of them. If anyone knew what the hell had happened, she would.

She nodded to Gunnar.

Message received.

---