“Just do it. Give Massimo some bullshit excuse. It’s not like he’s going to punish you for it.”
“That kind of attitude does you no favors, Caleb.” Alesso plants himself in front of me, pinning me with a sharp look.
He has never been my greatest fan. He hates his daughter has feelings for me and hates that his cousin cheats on her husband with me. Anais is the one who is married, and the main instigator, so I find his attitude more than a little hypocritical. Since Elisa cut me out of her life, her stepdad has barely tolerated me, which suits me just fine. I’m not his biggest fan either, even if Lili dotes on him and he’s been an amazing father to her.
“You can’t ignore a direct instruction from the president,” Alesso says.
“Don’t tell me you actually agree with this?”
“They are his family, and Calabro was a don.”
“They’re all treacherous scum, and they don’t deserve any respect.”
“That may well be the case, but it’s not our call to make. It’s our job to follow orders.” He drills me with another sharp look, irritating the fuck out of me. Who the hell is he to lecture me? I’m a fucking don, and he’s only aconsigliere.He would do well to remember that.
“Let’s get this over with.” Joshua throws Primo Greco over his shoulder. “We need to get to the hospital, and we’re wasting time.”
Chapter Two
Elisa
“Can you take these supplies to Dr. Kerrigan, please.” Natalia hands me a box filled with gauzes, surgical tape, hydrogen peroxide, saline solution, and other medical supplies. “And check if they need more water or food.”
“Will do.”
“Thanks, Elisa. You’ve been a godsend tonight.”
I smile at Caleb’s mom. She’s my surrogate aunt, and I love her to bits. I give her a quick hug before taking the box and walking off, ignoring my protesting calf muscles. I’ve been on my feet for hours, dashing all over the emergency room, doing whatever is needed of me. I have zero medical expertise, but I wanted to help, and Natalia accepted my offer without hesitation. Mom and Sierra stayed behind to mind the kids while I traveled with Natalia by helicopter to the new private hospital.
We have been inundated with patients. All with gunshot wounds, and some with additional knife wounds. As much as Mom and Dad have tried to shelter me and my siblings, there is no escaping the world we live in. I’m not naïve. I know the things that go down, but it’s still been a shock. I spent the hours we were holed up in the panic room worrying about everyone welove. Now I see the devastation wrought by the big battle, I’m more acutely aware of the danger they were in. I’m so grateful they all made it out alive.
Reaching the section under Dr. Kerrigan’s command, I pull back the first curtain and hand over the box, purposely not looking at the semi-naked man lying on the table. Bloody bandages litter the floor and he’s groaning as the medical team attend to his injuries. “I have the supplies you requested,” I confirm, handing the box to a male nurse. “Do you need anything else, Ken? More water?”
“We’re fine. Thanks, Elisa.” He shoots me a quick smile before rummaging in the box.
I turn around, to see where else I’m needed, almost face-planting into a toned chest and broad shoulders I would know anywhere. “Excuse me,” I say, not looking up at him. It’s hard to hold on to my resolve when I see his gorgeous face or peer into his stunning blue eyes.
Remember what he did, an inner voice whispers in my ear, and suddenly it’s not so hard. “Move, Caleb,” I say, glaring at him when he doesn’t budge.
“You look dead on your feet. You should take a break.” Concern splays across his face, but it’s as fake as the promise he made me.
“It’s busy and I don’t need a break.” Lowering my eyes, I move sideways, to walk around him, but he follows my movement, blocking me.
“Caleb,” I grit out. “Quit this shit. Look around? I’m needed, and you’re interfering.”
“You can’t avoid me forever, Lili.” He grips my chin gently, forcing my face up so I’m looking at him. Tingles dart across my skin, and my heart gallops like a racehorse just let out of the gate. I hate how much he still affects me. Why can’t my body just get with the program?
Gia has been right all along.
Caleb is bad news, and I’m a gullible fool for thinking he would ever develop feelings for me. He truly doesn’t care if he hurts me, and I’m done being his punching bag.
“Watch me.” I drill him with a resolute look as I fold my arms over my chest.
“Leave her alone.” Gia shoots daggers at Caleb with her eyes as she loops her arm through mine.
“Just tell me.” There was a time I would have fallen for his pleading tone, but that time has passed. “Please, Lili. Tell me what I did so I can fix it.”
“Fuck off, Caleb.” Gia shoves past him, knocking into his arm. “Lise has told you she doesn’t want to speak to you anymore, and if you care for her at all, you’ll respect her wishes.”
