Page 32 of Unbreakable Connection (Connections Duet)

Edric

I needed air and time away from Ellen to clear my head. After our talk and hearing her thoughts about the person responsible for her accident, I felt like I couldn't breathe. Nai said his behavior was creepy, and most of the nurses agreed with her opinion on the sneaky security guard. I’ve thought about it many times, and I don't believe he could have pulled off a car bombing on that big scale. No, he would have needed resources to do it, which means money, people in power, and the knowledge of explosives. I needed answers, and it was way past the 24-hour window I had given him. I was back in my truck and dialing his number. He didn't answer, and I left a message.

“Gio, if you don't want me to plow down your door with a tank big enough to bring down your newly renovated mansion, then you best call me back.” I placed my head back against the headrest and banged it a few times in anger, and then the passenger door opened with me reaching for my gun, ready tofire, but I didn't have to because it was Patch making himself at home. “What the fuck are you doing here? I could have shot you,”

“Doubtful, and since I knew you were too bloody stubborn to ring me back, I came to you. Now, have you worked your shit out yet? Or do we need to take it to the ring? I don't care where we go, but we must make peace to work together to bring down the fucker who almost blew your woman up.”

I let out a sigh and hit my head again before I stuck my fist out to his. “Patch, I trust you with my life and Ellen's. I had no right to blame you for any of it. I was reacting to my failures for not protecting the very thing that was most valuable to me. I'm sorry, brother.”

“I hope you're not expecting to hug or some pussy shit like that because I'll have to lay you out.”

“I'm glad you haven't lost your way with words,” I said, and then he let out a side-splitting laugh and punched me dead in the arm.

“I forgive you, asshole; let's get to work.”

After I filled Patch in about Paolo, he began typing furiously on the laptop, gathering all we could find on him. It would take some time, but with us both on it and Pierre working from his end, I knew we would have a lead by the end of the day, if not sooner, since Patch was on top of it.

“We have a hit; Pierre is sending it now,” Patch said as his eyebrows furrowed together, reading what was on his screen. “Okay, here are the details on Paolo Vincent Sabato, 22 years old, not married, no parents to speak of, and one older brother, unknown whereabouts at this time. We have a mile-long rap sheet and then some on Anthony Sabato, 39 years old and an ‘alleged’ mob enforcer for, wait for it, the Santoro Family.”

“Great work, Patch. Now, we have the confirmation we were looking for, at least some of the information we needed, whichtells us that Paolo also has mob connections. He either is on the outs with the family or maybe starting a rumor about an 'alleged turf war' is his way of earning his way back in. When I questioned Gio about having a stray in the mix, he unequivocally denied it and was surprised I even asked him such a question.”

“Come on, Edric, it’s a bit of a stretch but also pretty clear that if he comes out the hero and takes down obstacles that dare to threaten the family, they let him back in, and all the troubles that have been surrounding Ellen's clinic go away too.”

“Makes sense, and now it seems to all fit together, but the one missing piece is,” we said together— “Gio.”

“Let's storm the castle again; last time was so much fun,” Patch pounded his fists together, eager to take the house of lies down.

“Not yet; I have to bring Ellen home first, and I can't leave her alone. Her health is too fragile right now, no matter how much she tries to convince me she's fine.”

“I can go,” he said.

“No, not yet; I must wait for Gio to call me back. While I do that, we will call Bourne. Are you at the safe house?”

“No, I came right to you from the airstrip,”

“Okay, let's go inside and get Ellen, and then we will all return to her house. We will figure out our next move once I settle her for the night.” Back in Ellen's room, she was waiting for me along with Kyle. She had cleaned up and put on fresh clothes, looking much better thanks to the antibiotics working through her system. “You ready, baby?” I asked as I pulled her in for a hug.

“So ready, and who's this?” She asked, looking over my shoulder to Patch.

“This is Patch, a member of my team, and if you don't mind, will be staying with us.”

“I don't mind at all,” she said, stepping out of my hold to say hello to my friend. I watched the exchange between them, with Ellen extending her hand to him and Patch shaking it in return. It wasn't customary for Patch to be so formal, but since she was recovering from the accident and being sick, he was careful and said hello. Patch drove us back while I stayed in the backseat with Ellen. Our hands remained linked while I kept my eyes focused on the road and all that was around us. Finally, we arrived with no issues, and Patch checked out the house before we went inside.

Ellen suddenly had a burst of energy and wanted to talk to Patch, but I said no and insisted that she go upstairs to rest while I prepared something for her to eat. She pouted but didn't argue with me.

“I'll be back in a few minutes; you can set up over there and get started,” he pulled out his computers and began going to work. Ellen was peering over the railing, but I tapped her ass and guided her back to the bedroom. “Now, behave and remain up here, okay?”

“Yes, bossy man, you know I'm feeling much better; maybe I can help?”

“No, all I need you to do is rest and get stronger. I'll take care of everything else. But, please, baby, I have had enough scares with you to last me a lifetime and then some. I need to work, and I can't do that if I'm chasing you back to bed every five minutes.” I tried to keep the frustration out of my tone, but I was tired and moody, which is not a good combination.

“I promise I will rest; go take care of whatever you need to do.”

I leaned in to kiss her and said, “Thank you. I'll try not to be too long downstairs with Patch. I will bring a tray up when it's ready. You have your medicine and water. Is there anything else you need before I go?”

“All I need is you, so hurry back.” She smiled, and it took all my control not to climb into bed with her. Damn, we've come so far, and once this nightmare is over, we will begin the first day of the rest of our lives together. Our “happily ever after” can begin as soon as this is over. Ellen is a doctor and can do what she does anywhere in the world, and I'm hoping to convince her of that simple fact and move my lovely doctor back to London with me.

In the beginning, the clinic probably was a great thing, and I'm sure it has helped many who needed it, but also, it's dangerous, and with the mob activity in the area, you never know who will burst through the front doors. Hell, when Sabina got hurt, we did.

---