Page 15 of Cherished Union

I have no doubt that if I hadn’t walked into that godforsaken house, he would have.

“I’m calling Rocco,” I tell her, my anger pushing through my body. Never have I felt so fucking angry. I should have put a bullet between that fucker’s eyes.

“Don’t,” Vivi cries. “Don’t, please, Elio, not until Addie wakes up.”

I grit my teeth. “I’m sorry, Vivi, but he needs to know, as does Dario.” I’m not fucking holding this off. My brothers need to know what’s going on and then we need to come up with a plan of action.

“Okay,” she whispers softly, her voice trembling.

“Don’t be afraid, Vivi,” I tell her.

I’m fucking ashamed of myself. These are my sisters, and I had no idea what the hell was happening. I should have known. I should have seen the pain in their eyes and known that something was gravely wrong.

“Is Addie going to be okay?”

“Yeah,” I say hoarsely, not entirely sure myself. She’s been passed out for twenty minutes now and hasn’t made so much as a peep. She’s still bleeding from both her nose and mouth, and I’m praying no damage has been done.

I put my cell on the dash holder and hit Rocco’s number. “Yeah?” he grunts.

“Roc,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. I’m close to fucking crying, something that never happens to me. Not ever. But Christ, my sister is fucking unconscious and bleeding.

“What?” he hisses. “Elio, what the fuck has happened?”

“Meet me at my apartment and bring the doctor. Get Dario too.”

“I’m on my way. I swear to fuck, Elio, you had better not be fucking dying.”

I’d laugh at any other time, but right now, I’m not in the mood.

“Bring the convict too,” I tell him, knowing we’re going to need Jade’s help when Ade wakes up, not to mention when her brother discovers what’s happened to his fiancée. He’s going to hit the fucking roof.

“Fuck,” he grits out. “I’ll be there in fifteen.”

I end the call and continue to keep my gaze on the road in front of me, my eyes drifting to the mirror where Vivi and Ade are. Vivi’s hand is still running through Ade's hair. She also now has her sweater pressed to Ade’s face, where she’s trying to stop the blood from seeping out.

My hands tighten on the steering wheel, and I grit my teeth. I want nothing more than to turn this car around and go hunting. I don’t give a fuck that they’re my parents. What they’ve done to Ade is unforgivable, and I, for one, am down with having them taken out.

By the time I reach my apartment, Rocco, Jade, and Dario are waiting for me. The moment I step out of the car, they’re racing over to me.

“What’s going on?” Rocco questions, his eyes narrowed and filled with rage.

“It’s not me,” I tell him as I open the door, and their gazes swing to Vivi and Ade.

“What the fuck happened?” Jade demands, her voice soft but angry.

“Fuck,” Dario whispers torturedly. “Christ, I fucking knew that she didn’t fall.”

“Let’s get her upstairs,” I instruct them, and with the help of Rocco, I lift her into my arms again. She’s still passed out.

“Why is she losing so much blood?” Dario questions.

I turn and see that Rocco has lifted Vivi into his arms. She’s clinging to him as she sobs against his chest. Jade’s eyes turn dark with rage as she focuses on Ade, who’s not moved once.

“Where the fuck is the doctor?” I hiss as I enter the elevator.

“He’s coming, Elio,” Jade says softly. “He’ll be here.”

It takes the fucking bastard ten more minutes to arrive at my apartment, and when he does, he goes into the main bedroom where I laid Ade down, Vivi sitting beside her, holding vigil.

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