Page 23 of Deadly Intentions

She paused, seeming to mull over my words for a moment. “Ok.”

“Ok?” Her compliance surprised me.

“Yes. Ok. I don’t think I can deal with anything else right now. Waiting a day won’t hurt anything.”

I stood and tugged my pants back into place. After slipping on my shirt, I moved to stand beside her. My finger traced her jaw, and I placed a kiss on her lips. “I love you, Catarina.”

“I love you too.”

thirteen

CATARINA

Sittingbeside Michael’s bed waiting for my family felt surreal. After my shift ended the night before, Donny had taken me home and put me to bed. I woke wrapped in his arms later that morning, knowing today was going to be hard. Donny had guided me into the shower, taking complete care of me. Even now, I sat staring at Michael with Donny’s hand laced in mine.

A commotion outside the room told me my family had arrived. Donny stood, breaking our contact.

“Catarina.” He looked at me with concern.

“I know. They’re here.” I stood and moved to the door. “You ready?”

Donny nodded and slid the chairs out of the way. I opened the door and stared at the backside of my brothers. All three of them were gathered around Harley, demanding access to Michael’s room.

“It’s ok, Harley. They’re family.”

Massimo turned abruptly at the sound of my voice. Immediately, I was engulfed in three sets of arms. I couldn’t stop the tears from pouring out of me. My body shook against them as they patted and stroked my hair.

“Catarina.” Vincenzo stepped back, the first to break the embrace. “You’re ok.”

“Yes. I’m so sorry, Vincenzo.” The tears dribbled down my face.

“Stop. You’re here and that’s all that matters.”

I turned to Antonio, whose eyes were equally red. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He broke against me, his sobs filling the narrow hallway of the hospital.

“He’s alive, Antonio.” I stepped back and held his gaze. “Michael’s alive.”

Antonio swiped at his tears and smiled. “Where is he?”

“Come on. I’ll take you to him.”

I held onto my brother’s hand and led him into the room where Michael laid unconscious. Antonio froze at the sight of his lover, fragile and broken. Donny nodded to him, pressing his hand to his back as he stepped into the hall to greet Massimo and Vincenzo.

“What can you tell me?” Antonio whispered as he stepped to the bedside.

“He was here before I came to Oregon. A group of hikers found his body and alerted the police. When he was brought into the ER, it was touch and go. He suffered crushed fingers, three missing from the left hand; both wrists were broken, and his right shoulder. On top of that, he had a punctured lung and ruptured spleen. The damage to his face was extensive. Michael was tortured to the point of death. In fact, I think they had left him for dead. He should be dead.” I spoke matter-of-factly. “The swelling on his brain took some time to go down, but he still hasn’t woken up. The last CT showed normal brain activity, but his injuries were so severe, the doctor isn't sure what kind of long-term damage he’ll have.”

Antonio tugged Michael’s bandaged hand into his and pressed a kiss over the gauze. “I didn’t believe Massimo when he told me you’d been found and that you were with Michael. Rachel and I prayed we’d find closure regarding his disappearance, but the longer we waited, the more we accepted he was likely dead. This is a miracle.” He leaned his head down and rested his forehead on the bed beside Michael’s body. “I don’t care if he’s got problems. I love him and nothing will change that.”

“And Rachel?” I stepped closer and rested my hand on his back.

“She wanted to come. But I needed to be sure. If it hadn’t been him, I was worried how she would react. She’s pregnant, you know.” Antonio lifted his head and watched Michael’s stillness. “It’s his. The baby. We found out not long after the twins were born. Rachel and I cried when the doctor told us. Even though we thought we lost him… we still had a piece of him to hold on to. And now.”

“Now you have him too.” I rubbed my brother’s back. “I’m going to step outside and give you some time alone with him.”

“Thank you, Catarina. I was so mad at you for leaving like you did. But if you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have him back. I think it was supposed to happen this way.”

I slipped from the room and closed the door, giving Antonio privacy. Michael was alive, but his recovery was going to be a long and difficult one. We still didn’t know what his cognitive state would be, or his physical capabilities. He’d lost half of his hand, not to mention a shit ton of nerve damage. His face would heal, but he’d have reminders of his torture both externally and internally.

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