Page 35 of Revenge of Sin

I get out of the car, walk a couple car lengths down the road, and hit the number that will reroute at least three if not four times before connecting to my father on the other side of the fucking world.He answers on the first ring.“What’s wrong?”

“Mom had a heart attack.She’s alive but going under.Doc has her in the underground hospital.The place you know about.”

Silence … too long … too much fucking silence.“Papa?”

“I’m on the next plane out.”

This fucking day… Far be it from me to try and talk him out of being with the love of his life while she’s lying halfway on her death bed but he and I both know what this means.Another war, another family coming for him and us, for a debt that in no way he can repay.

I walk toward the car, needing to hear one voice and only one voice right now.Jeoffrey answers his cell.“Put Anna on the phone.”

24

Anna

The minute I open the door and he hands me the phone my heart sinks, praying it’s not bad news but knowing that every minute right now could be touch and go.“Vincenzo.”

“I’m on my way to my mom.You saved her life, princessa.Thank you.I owe you for that.”

“As a mafia don’s daughter you grow up knowing things you shouldn’t ever have to know, but I’ve never been so glad for training before in my life.Do you know how she is?”

“Stable but probably needs surgery.Not sure what yet.On the way there.You okay, princessa?”

“I’m okay but your sister, she was pretty shook.Took it pretty hard.I told her if she heard anything to let me know but then I realized there’s really no way she can do that except through your goons.”

He sighs.“That’s my fault.I’ll fix it.I’ll get you a line of your own.”

“Thank you.”

“My own fucking soldiers didn’t know what to do … what does that say about the training they get,” he growls.

I smile.At least he’s letting some of his pent-up frustration out.“Well, it’s not like you’re training them to be doctors or to save lives, right?Besides, they did the right thing.Called your doc right away and let me go to her side.”

“Yeah, how’d that happen, princessa?You weren’t sweet talking one of my soldiers, were you?If you say yes I’m going to kill him in the most gruesome of ways.”

My belly should not be filling with dancing butterflies but there’s no way to stop them or the smile that lights my face.“Umm, maybe I should let them tell you, and don’t be mad at them or me, but … I didn’t know what was going on.I heard men yelling in the hallway and then Lanah scream.I got your gun, and I made them take me to your mom.”

“The fuck?You held my soldier at gunpoint?”

“I said don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad, baby.I’m in fucking awe.My mother wouldn’t be breathing right now if it weren’t for you.”

“Go see your mom, and Vincenzo, try to relax.Your family, they’re going to be safe soon.You wouldn’t have a doctor that you didn’t trust.You’ll see, everything will work out for the best.I promise.”

I disconnect, because there’s really nothing left to say.There is no way that after what I saw on Lanah’s face and heard in his voice that I can put him or his family in jeopardy anymore.

It’s time for me to face the music that was always mine to face…

25

Vincenzo

Just hearing Anna’s voice, her reassurance calms my nerves as we head to the safehouse.I text the man I trust with her life and then proceed downstairs to the underground clinic and hospital that no one but our family knows about.No one, not guards, no one, except for Terry who’s been with us since the beginning of fucking time knows about this spot.

Nicolo is right on my heels and I’m sure Gianni and Agosto are not far behind, because everything else, even things back at the warehouse, they take a backseat when Mamma’s life is on the line.Even Pa’s life became secondary to hers the minute he heard the love of his life was in trouble.

Doc walks out and his eyes meet mine.“She’s going to be okay, Vincenzo, but we need to get this taken care of right away.The EKG and lab tests confirm what we suspected.She has blockage to the heart.”