Stefan and Angelo staggered into the room a few minutes later. They must have overheard our conversation from their beds.
Thank God they were okay.
I cared for the twins as if they were my children and couldn’t bear the thought of losing them, too.
“Daddy’s awake,” Angelo joked, moving past Nico to stand at my bedside.
He started that shit after Ava arrived to annoy me. They both gained pleasure from torturing me with their childish humor.
“Don’t call me that,” I hissed.
“All better, I see.” Angelo laughed. “Almost dying didn’t change your attitude one bit.”
Ignoring his stupid comment, I tried to get out of bed, but it hurt like fucking hell. I groaned, clutching my right side.
Nico pushed out his hand to stop me. “Let me help you.”
I gave him a warning look to stay the fuck away from me. “I can do it myself.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m only trying to be nice. It wouldn’t kill you to accept help from us.”
“I’m fine,” I tossed back with even more anger in my tone.
“No, you’re not.” Ava sighed. “I’m getting the doctor. Don’t move.”
“I’ll go,” Nico offered and disappeared into the hallway.
I pointed at the chairs across the room. “The two of you sit. We have a lot to discuss.”
“You haven’t been awake ten minutes,” Ava protested. “Rest and get better before you start plotting revenge.”
Maybe she hadn’t learned enough from me. Avenging my father’s death was all I could think about. By some miracle, the three of us survived. And I wasn’t going to waste my second chance at life.
I gripped her chin until her eyes met mine, even though it was painful to raise my arm. “I’m the boss of this family now. And you listen to me.”
A cute smile touched her lips, a defiant look in her pretty brown eyes. “Yes, Daddy.”
I shook my head, letting my hand drop to the bed. “One day, I’m going to kill you for calling me that.”
“No, you’re not.” She kissed my cheek. “I think you secretly love it.”
ChapterSix
AVA
Five days had passed since Dante woke up. He tried to get out of bed and leave the hospital dozens of times. Dante even threatened the doctor, who insisted he stay for more observation. But after I convinced him to stay until the end of the week, he stopped fighting everyone.
Dante passed out from the pain meds an hour ago. So I curled up beside him and tried to take a nap. It was hard with all of the people walking by the room. The loud voices over the intercom in the hallway didn't help. But Dante was dead to the world, his chest rising and falling in the perfect rhythm.
He was alive.
The twins were with the physical therapist. Nico was at Salvatore's apartment with Paulie, planning the funeral. They went over the entire estate, including Salvatore's death plan. He was a very meticulous man and wanted everything a certain way.
His funeral would be a televised event. Not by his choice but because he was a local celebrity. People loved Salvatore and were coming from around the world to say goodbye.
After an hour of trying to sleep, I slid off the bed and stretched my arms above my head, yawning. Turning to look at Dante, I said, "I'm going to the cafeteria for coffee. I'll be right back."
He didn't move an inch.
