Chapter Eighteen
Gio
As soon as I left Carly’s I headed to University Medical Center. Stepping up to the reception desk in the emergency room, I waited for the woman behind the counter to finish with her phone call before I spoke. “Carlos Sanchez was rushed into the ER earlier with a gunshot wound. Can you tell me if he’s been admitted yet?” After a few clacks of the computer keys the woman returned her attention to me.
“Mr. Sanchez is in surgery. The trauma surgery center is on the fifth floor in Zone A.”
“Grazie.” I nodded at her and made my way to the surgery center. There I came face to face with Carlos’ parents and his girlfriend. “Signore e SignoraSanchez. I am so sorry this happened.” I’d met both his parents and his girlfriend, Savannah, when his parents celebrated their anniversary earlier in the year at the restaurant. “I want you both to know that any medical bills from the shooting will be taken care of. Don’t worry about anything. The man responsible will pay for his crimes.”
“Gracias. You’ve been very good to ourfamilia.”
I nodded at his father. “Is there any news, yet?”
“No. We are still waiting.”
“Do you mind if I wait with you?”
“Of course we don’t mind.”
I took the seat next to Carlos’ mother and sent a quick text to my Pop.
One dead, another critically wounded. The shooter tried but failed to kill himself. The deceased has three children. We need to insure they aren’t separated and are taken care of.
The reply from my father was quick.
I will see to it they’re taken care of. All of them.
I knew he meant more than just the children. Their mother’s murderer wouldn’t live to see a courtroom.
Hours later, Carlos’ parents were finally approached by a doctor. “Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez? I’m Doctor Whittaker. The surgery went well. The bullet caused a lot of internal damage but we were able to repair it. He lost a lot of blood and will be in ICU for at least the next few days.”
“Gracias a Dio.”
When Mrs. Sanchez nearly collapsed in relief at hearing Carlos had survived the surgery, both her husband and I caught her and supported her until she got her feet beneath her again.
“When can we see him?”
“He’s still in recovery, Mr. Sanchez, but I can have someone escort you to his room to wait for him.”
“Gracias.”
“Signore e Signora, I will leave you to visit with your son.” I pulled a card from my wallet. “Should you need anything at all, do not hesitate to call this number and it will be taken care of.” I turned to his girlfriend. “That goes for you, as well,” I said and handed her a card also. With that I left to first check on the clean up at the restaurant and then head to my home to shower, eat, and get ready for another night at Dangerous Curves.
“Tony. Sorry I didn’t make it in for the inventory. I had business to take care of.”
“Not a problem, Gio. Carly and I took care of it. I need to talk to you about that, though.”
“I don’t like that sound of that. What’s wrong?”
“Some of the stock was missing, according to the shipment orders. I’m keeping a close eye, without letting on to the staff, to be sure it isn’t an ongoing problem.”
“Fuck. Keep me posted. Have you seen Carly, yet?”
“You got it bad for her,cugino.”
I snorted. “She’s sexy and feisty, of course I do. Answer the question, Tony.” his chuckle irritated me but I pushed the irritation away.
“She’s backstage taking care of a minor problem one of the dancers had.”
