I pick Zaira up and carry her as we leave the room and head down the stairs. I head toward the front door while Ricco goes to the back to get Rebel. I put Zaira down and pull out my phone to send a text to Ice.
“We’re coming out.”
I open the front door, pick Zaira up again, and start to move forward, but I hesitate when I notice two men rustling in the bushes. They open fire, but they aren’t shooting us. They are shooting at Ice and Hawk who can’t seem to see where the gunfire is coming from in the dark. It’s like a turkey shoot, and they are open targets. One of the men has his gun aimed directly at Ice. Before I can utter a word to warn him, the sniper shoots.
I know that bullet is headed directly for Ice, and I cry out, “Ice, take cover!”
Ice isn’t paying attention, but Hawk is. Everything moves in slow motion as I watch Hawk jump in front of Ice. Holy fuck! Blood pours from Hawk’s chest.Fuck, fuck, fuck!
After that, everything happens fast. Gunfire explodes around Zaira and me as I tried to shield her. Once I am able to get my wits about me, I realize Ricco and Rebel have joined us.
Both of the Gallardi men are dead. Ice is on the ground kneeling at Hawk’s side. “Hawk! Hawk!” He holds his hand on Hawk’s wound, somehow trying to keep his blood from leaving his body. Ice watches in horror as the blood seeps through his fingers and trickles down. “Come on, brother, stay with me. You’re gonna be okay. Just stay with me.” Rebel rushes to Hawk and kneels at his other side.
I place Zaira down and steady her. “Can you stand on your own?”
She nods.
I look around and inspect our surroundings. It appears we have taken out the Gallardi men who were already here. I rush toward Ice and Hawk, and Zaira follows. “How is he?” I ask
Ice looks up at me and says, “Fuck, this is not good. They fucking shot him, Michael! They got him in the chest. I don’t know what they hit. I don’t know if any vital organs are damaged. I don’t know shit! But fuck he’s having trouble breathing. We’ve gotta do something, Mikey!”
“First, let’s get him outta here.”
He looks up and nods. He pulls out his phone and types as fast as he can manage. I assume he’s texting Spike. Within seconds, Spike pulls up to the front of the house. Ice, Rebel, and Ricco carry Hawk to the car. Once they get him situated in the back, we all get in and make our way back to Long Island. I know there will be retaliation for this. I know they will come at us now with everything. We’ll be ready. I’ll pull in all the other families if I have to. After all this, I am convinced now more than ever that I don’t want to do business with these people.
Ice is up front with Spike, and Zaira and I in the next seat back. He turns back toward me, “He needs a fucking hospital. He’s barely hanging on, but you know with a gunshot wound, they’ll report it, and I will have cops up my ass. You’ve got to fix this. I’m out of my element here. I don’t know the locals.”
“I know, man. I’ve got this. We’ve got a family doctor who helps in these types of circumstances. I’ll call him now,” I reply.
“Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
“Bullshit, this-owe-me-owe-you crap. We’re friends, Ice. We do shit for each other and help each other out. Nobody owes anyone.”
He smiles and nods. I pull out my phone and call Dr. Siegel. He wasn’t pleased about the late-night call, but he’s used to it. The last time he was disturbed this late was when Zaira hit her head.
Spike drives as fast as he can to get us back to the compound. Every minute is crucial with Hawk hanging on in the back. Ricco stayed in the back with him, and I know he’s doing everything he can to help stop the bleeding. While we’re driving, I send a quick text to Vince.
I’ve got Zaira.
She’s safe.
She will be staying at the compound tonight.
After about forty-five minutes, we get back to the compound. Dr. Siegel is waiting in the front drive for us with a couple of his orderlies and a stretcher. Once we pull up and Spike runs to the back and opens it, the doctor is ready to have Hawk moved. “Get him on the stretcher and get him inside!” he hollers.
The orderlies work quickly and rush to get Hawk situated on the gurney, while Dr. Siegel barks orders. They get him wheeled into the house, and Dr. Siegel says, “Take him to the den.” He turns toward me. “Sorry, Michael, I didn’t know where to treat him. I hope that is okay.”
I nod. “Of course. It’ll be much easier than wasting time trying to get him upstairs to one of the bedrooms.”
We all rush in behind Hawk and wait while Dr. Siegel checks his vitals, gets him on oxygen, and looks at his wounds.
I turn toward Zaira. “Why don’t you go up to your room and rest. You can get cleaned up if you want. After you left, I found some of your things that were left behind. Hopefully you can find something to change into and get comfortable. I’ll take you to Vince’s first thing in the morning.”
“If it is all right with you, I would like to stay and see how he is. After all, he helped save me,” she replies.
I nod. I look toward Hawk and see Dr. Siegel has come totally prepared. Hawk is hooked up to several machines monitoring his heart, lungs, and hell, I have no idea what else.
“I know it’s not my place,” Dr. Siegel says, “but would someone like to tell me how this happened?”
