Page 49 of Dark Desire

“Attacked?” I repeated the word back, not grasping what he was saying.

“It’s bad, Riley. I need you to come with me.”

Unable to move or speak, I just stared at him. He had to be wrong. Vincenzo was on his way home. “You’re wrong. He promised he'd be right back.”

“Riley.” He stepped forward and gripped my arm. “Please. I need you to get dressed. We have to go.”

He guided me to the living room and sat me down. He must have grabbed some pants, because the next thing I knew, he was pulling a pair of Vin's sweats up my legs. "Here, stand up." He tugged them up, securing the tie at my waist. Shoving my feet into a pair of flip-flops, I let him guide me from the house to his car. It wasn’t until we pulled into the emergency room parking lot that I fully understood the gravity of the situation.

“We’re here.” I glanced out the window, surprised to see Madison rushing toward me.

“Oh my God, Riley. I’m so sorry.” She extended her hand and helped me out. “Let me walk with you.”

“Can someone tell me what’s going on?”

“Massimo didn’t tell you?”

“He just said Vincenzo had been attacked. Is he hurt?”

“Oh, Riley,” Madison sobbed. “He’s not going to make it.”

Her words struck me like an arrow through an apple. My whole body seized up, and I stopped in place. “What did you say?”

“The doctors said we needed to get the family here. They don’t think he will make it through the night.”

My knees gave out as the air left my lungs. “No.”

Thankfully, Massimo was there to catch me, or I would’ve face planted onto the cement. He guided me into the busy hospital and through a set of doors. I leaned into him as we climbed onto the elevator and ascended toward the floor they had moved Vincenzo to.

My voice echoed against the metal walls. “What happened?”

“Someone stabbed him in the neck. It nicked his carotid artery, causing him to lose a significant amount of blood. I don’t know how he did it, but he got back inside Bellissimo. Kevin found him just as he collapsed. I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner… I just—”

I held my hand up, silencing him. “No. Don’t apologize. You did the right thing.”

“They did surgery to repair the damage, but the blood loss caused too much damage. They don’t think he'll wake up.”

“I don’t believe them. He wouldn’t die on me—on us.” My hands pressed against the swollen reminder of our future.

The hall was filled with forlorn faces as we stepped off the elevator. Antonio and Michael were leaned against the wall. They were huddled up and talking in hushed voices. Catarina was wrapped in Donny’s embrace, her sobs reverberating through the waiting area. “What about your parents?”

“They’re on their way, but it takes hours to get here from Italy. I fear they won’t make it in time.”

“Shut up.” I screamed. “Just Shut up. He isn’t going to die.” I fought back the tears threatening to rip through me. “I need to see him.”

Massimo nodded and led me down the narrow corridor. He stopped in front of a closed door and sighed. “He looks bad, Riley. Prepare yourself.”

I swallowed and forced a nod. I needed to see it for myself. Massimo pushed open the door and stepped across the threshold. Taking baby steps, I followed him inside.

Nothing in a million years could have prepared me for what awaited. Vincenzo was hooked up to every machine made. He had a breathing tube protruding from his neck, right above his chest. The rest of his throat was wrapped in gauze, hiding the knife wound. I moved to the edge of the bed and pulled his hand in mine.

“Vin. If you can hear me, I’m here, baby.”

The door opened, and a young doctor joined us in the room. “Mrs. Anastasi?”

“Yes.” I whimpered, nausea threatening to make me throw up as I looked back over to my husband's still form.

“I’m Doctor Hicks. I need to tell you about your husband’s injury.”

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