Chapter 100 Burns
Dakota's P.O.V.
There are a ton of people waiting for us when we pull up. They separate into four teams. I check on Sarah, Noah, and Xavier, but they're all still unconscious. I hold Ari's hand while we run through the hospital.
"Miss Kondrati, please wait here. We'll let you know when we have news on any of them," a nurse says kindly.
"Thank you." I hate hospitals. I have too many bad memories. When someone puts their arm over my shoulders, I look up and lean my head on Galdino's shoulder.
"Ari was talking in the ambulance," I tell him as we sit in the waiting room.
"Thank God. How about your friends?" I shake my head.
"They're still unconscious. I need to call my parents." He stops me from reaching for my phone.
"There's no need. I sent my men to tell them what happened and bring them to the hospital. They should be here soon. Do you have any idea who could have done this to you?" he asks, and I shiver. I wouldn't want to be on his bad side.
"I have no idea, and I don't know who could have gotten into the compound. Ari's ex-girlfriend, Aubrey, confronted us last night. Apparently, she works for the Amedo twins. I don't trust those twins, either. They give me the creeps." I want to tell him as much as possible before our parents arrive. We may be adults, but to them, we're still four-year-olds.
"If Aubrey is back, then she's up to something. I'll keep an eye on the twins. Until we know what's going on, would you and your friends like to stay at our compound? It may be safer, and we have plenty of room." I want to say no because I don't want anyone running me out of my home, but I know it's for the best. We can't stay there, and I don't want to stay with my parents.
"I would appreciate that. I will talk to the others when they wake up." I sigh, and he strokes my head.
"You and Ari are in love, aren't you?" he asks.
"Yes. I can't believe it happened so fast, but I feel like I can't breathe when he's not around. I did warn him that if he lets another woman put her hands on him and kiss him like Aubrey did yesterday, then I will use my knife on both of them." Galdino chuckles lightly.
"I have no doubt you would. I'm happy he could find love with you. Who knows, maybe one day, even an old man like me will fall in love." As I open my mouth, I hear people running, so I stand. Here comes the circus.
"Dakota, what happened?" Mom asks as she and Dad both hug me.
"Did you hear about the explosion in the city?" I ask. Courtney, Bobby, Dina, and Gavin are with them.
"Yes," Dad answers while glancing at Galdino.
"Well, that was one of our SUVs. Someone planted a bomb on it, and it blew up right after Sarah, Noah, Ari, and me got out. Xavier, the security guy who drove us, was in the SUV, but he's still alive. So far, everyone is hanging on. They're supposed to let me know as soon as they have news." I'm glad they left all of our siblings at home. There's enough with just them. Courtney and Dina cry as their husbands hug them.
"Who is Ari?" my mom asks, narrowing her eyes at me.
"He is Galdino's son. Ari and I are seeing each other. He's the reason I'm still walking and talking. Ari pushed me to the ground and covered my body with his." I wipe my tears, and my dad looks like he's going to kill Galdino when he hugs me.
"I thought you wanted my wife and daughter dead. Why are you here?" Dad asks. I love how protective he is.
"Dad, Galdino has changed his opinion because of Grandma Gloria. Santino had a box he kept filled with mementos of their relationship. Let's just say Galdino now appreciates the power of love. I was planning on having a family dinner this weekend so you guys could meet, but that's not going to happen. I just hope they bring us news as soon as possible. I need to know that everyone is okay." Everyone keeps eyeing Galdino as if they're unsure, but we all look toward the door when a doctor walks in.
"Dakota?" he asks, looking around.
"Yes, that's me." I step forward.
"Ari refuses to let us do anything until you come back. Will you come with me so we can calm him down and show him you're okay?" I smile and nod before turning to my family.
"I'll be back. I have my phone. Let me know if you hear anything about the others." I follow the doctor, who has me wash up and put on scrubs, gloves, shoe covers, a surgical mask, and a cap on my head. When he takes me through a set of doors, Ari is lying on his stomach. He looks up at me in relief.
"I needed to see you. Can you stay with me?" I look at the doctor, and he nods. I walk over, and someone puts a chair near Ari's head. I sit in front of him and stroke his cheek with my gloved hand.
"I'll stay with you forever," I whisper to him.
"Okay, you can continue." He tells them. A doctor removes the paper sheet that was covering his back, and it takes everything inside of me not to scream or vomit. His entire back looks like burnt meat. There are pieces of his shirt and debris stuck inside his wounds.
"Why isn't he sedated?" I ask as they prepare to work on him. How can they do this and not put him to sleep?
"With certain types of burns, it affects how the body breaks down the medication we can use for sedation. Only a small amount could cause a seizure or even kill him. We have to clean the wound so we can see how deep it is and then determine what we can give him." The doctor who brought me to the room replies. As they begin to gently clean Ari's back, he screams in pain, and it feels like it's piercing my heart. My tears fall with his as I try to comfort him. Whoever did this is going to die a slow, painful death.