Footsteps(112)
“He’s going to the ICU now,” the doctor was saying as Carlo moved in. “He’s not stable yet, but his vitals are stronger, and he’s fighting. I’d say there’s more reason for hope now than there was an hour ago.” As a whole, the group relaxed, but the doctor wasn’t finished. “Until he regains consciousness, if he does, we won’t know the full extent of the damage from not only the bullet but the blood loss and shock.”
Carmen asked what Carlo assumed they were all thinking. “Are you saying there could be problems?”
“I’m saying that it’s likely there will be. But I can’t tell you more than that at this point. For now, let’s focus on getting him stable. Then we’ll focus on getting him awake. And then we’ll see.” He looked at the large group of Joey’s family surrounding him. “The ICU rooms are very small, and there is a lot of equipment. The doctors and nurses there are doing serious work with very ill patients. I’m sorry, but we can’t have so many of you even in the ward at once. Two at a time, please.”
“I’ll go up with Pop.” John put his hand on their father’s shoulder. “Okay, Pop?”
Carlo Sr. nodded, and Carlo realized that, although he himself had been distracted and out of it, he wasn’t sure he remembered the last time their father had spoken. That thought brought with it a powerful sense of bitter nostalgia. Their father had disappeared into himself for years after their mother died, and his absent presence, as much as the loss of their wonderful mother, had changed all their lives.
As John took their father and followed the doctor, Luca and Carmen came over to Carlo and Bina. Carmen tugged on Bina’s hand. “Come with me to the bathroom?”
Bina nodded and took her hand from his to follow Carmen. Carlo was surprised. Carmen was not the kind of woman who needed a powder room partner. But then he looked at Luca and understood.
Luca gave Carlo and appraising look. “You pull yourself together okay?”
“Yeah. I just…I need to do something. Standing here while Trey’s out there makes no fucking sense.”
“What would you do, Carlo? What could you do? People are on it. The Uncles, too, I guess, right?”
“Yeah.” He knew Luca was right. He knew they were all right—he was helpless. There was nothing he could do but sit. Maybe that was one reason he felt so compelled to be the one who handled Jenny. Because he needed to do something. Because he needed to act on her the way she was acting on him and Trey.
Luca huffed. “Christ. They’ll tear Jenny apart.”
“No, they won’t. They won’t make her suffer. Uncle Ben wouldn’t tolerate it. I don’t think there’s anything a woman could do that would make him hurt her. They’ll put a bullet in her head and bury her deep.” He hesitated and then added, “Or I will.”
“Fuck, Carlo. I knew it. They want to bring you in. Don’t do it.”
“This is why you had Carmen take Bina off, right? She could have stayed. I told her about this.”
Luca’s brows went up in surprise at that, but then he nodded. “You don’t think clearly when people you love are fucked up. I’m putting myself between you and a stupid decision you’ll regret. Think what you need here.”
“I need my son back, and I need her gone for good.”
“Exactly. The Uncles can handle that. Shit, the cops could handle it, too. They could put her away.”
“Right. They have a great track record with justice.”
“Then leave it to Ben and Lorrie. What you don’t need is to send your life down the tubes out of some idiotic idea of responsibility. You’re not a killer, big brother. And Trey’s father shouldn’t be. Let the people who know how to carry that shit carry it.”
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened. Pete and Rosa came out, just as Carmen and Bina returned from the bathroom. Carmen pulled Rosa into an embrace, but Rosa pushed herself free and came straight to Carlo.
“Trey? Do we have him back?”
Carlo shook his head and offered his baby sister the hug she’d rejected from Carmen. This one she took, crying into his chest.
“I can’t believe Joey let this happen. That asshole!”
Carlo pushed her back and looked down at her. “Hey. Watch your mouth, Peanut. Joey did what he could.” Saying it, Carlo finally believed it. Joey hadn’t done as much as he should have, but he’d done as much as he’d known to do. He’d put his life on the line for them. Carlo should have known that Joey wouldn’t know yet how to be a good guard. But Carlo hadn’t thought there was any more danger than simply Jenny showing up somewhere and trying to see Trey. That, Joey could have handled. Joey and Bina.