Chapter Ninety Eight

*Domenico*

“You’re staying here.”

He stares at his cousin in anger. “The hell I am. There’s no way I’m going to sit here while you get the chance to kick Moretti’s ass. Look what he had done to my face, Enzo. I’m not going to let him get away with it. I’m coming with you.” He states heatedly.

“Dom, you’re in no condition to do anything. And you’re not going to fight me on this. You’re staying.” Enzo empathizes with a tone that broke no argument.

He clenches his fists, not caring that that movement alone caused pain to go through him. How could he possibly sit back and do nothing while the rest of his family did everything? Moretti had it coming to him damn it and he wasn’t going to miss out on getting his revenge as well.

“This is such bullshit!” He yells angrily wanting to throw something but there was nothing nearby for him to grab.

Gabriela had left to take the tray of empty dishes, sitting there making sure they both ate everything she provided for them. It wasn’t until she closed the door that Enzo immediately spouted that nonsense. How did he expect him to just sit back and do absolutely nothing?

“I know you don’t like me saying this Dom. But I can’t have you getting yourself killed. You’re in no shape to help with anything. I’m stating a fact, and you know it.”

It didn’t make it any less irritating. He knew he was right. Hell he could barely even move without causing any pain to go through him. But he couldn’t just accept this. But it wasn’t like he had any choice in the matter. Enzo will make sure he stayed put, even if he had some of the men to hold him down and lock him in this room until everything was settled.

“What if you’re going to need me?” He attempted a desperate plea that he knew was useless.

Enzo’s shoulders deflated a little as he gave him a small smile. “I’m always going to need you Dom. But I can’t risk it. I won’t risk it, not with you.”

He couldn’t lie, that Enzo confessing that, didn’t make him feel wanted. He just wished his cousin was a little more embarrassed to say shit like that where he didn’t always have to feel like succumbing to his demands. Leaning back in the bed he sighs dramatically.

“Fine, have it your way.” He mumbles.

“Thank you. I promise to keep you in the loop with everything that’s happening.”

He waves his hand, staring up at the ceiling now. He hated this, but there was nothing he could really do about it.

“Do I have to stay here?” He asks.

“It’s best you do. It’s the safest place to be right now.”

He nods and closes his one eye that wasn’t swollen shut. While they were eating the doctor came back in and gave him an ice pack. He’s been using it off and on, so hopefully it will swell down soon to where he can finally see out of both eyes.

“Get some rest. I’ll let you know when me and the guys’ head out.”

He hated those words because he should be apart of that sentence. But like salt in an open wound his anger hissed inside and he just bared it. He hears Enzo getting out of the bed and heading out the door. A slight pause before the door finally opened and then closed leaving him all alone in the room.

***

He had fallen asleep again. He didn’t realize being injured this bad could cause a person to sleep so much. He felt like an invalid for sure. The door opening was what woke him up. He opens his eyes and looks over to find a small young girl looking at him with uncertainty.

Frowning, he doesn’t remember her being here or who the hell she was. But then again he was rushed inside this room as soon as he got here.

“Who are you?” His voice sounded like shit, but he didn’t really care at the moment.

“I’m not meaning to intrude; I figure I could come in and check on you while they’re all having a conversation out there. I’m Gia.”

The name or face doesn’t sound familiar. He tries to sit up and she rushes over to help. He stiffens his posture, which only made him hiss as pain shot through him all over his body. She quickly retracts, eyes wide with worry.

“I’m sorry! Did I cause you pain?”

Slowly shaking his head, he finally gets into a sitting position and really looks at her. She looked no older than fifteen. She had brown hair that was braided, and her skin was pale, almost white with no color, as if she doesn’t see the light of day very often. There was also an air about her that spoke both timid and stubborn.

“It wasn’t you but me that caused it. Gia huh? Where did you come from?”

She stayed silent for a split second before saying, “I came here with Gabriela. We escaped together. I was a maid at Moretti’s mansion.”

He stares at her for only a moment before squinting his eyes. “That’s a bold statement. How did you get Samual to allow you to tag along?”

She rolls her eyes. “You all are so suspicious of everything.”

“We have every right to be suspicious. You realize you put yourself in a lion’s den when you worked so close to our enemy right?”

He wasn’t sure what her motive was, if she even had one. But saying that she worked at the Moretti mansion and escaped with Gabby was a red flag to them all.

“Trust me, I already heard it from that big loaf along with your cousin, who is convinced I’m a spy as well. I’m not.” She snaps.

“You can’t just take us on your word, Gia. We’re going to need proof.”

She huffs at that. “How do you all expect me to give you proof?”

Leaning a bit closer to her, causing her to stiffen but standing her ground, which he smiled at, he says, “Tell me everything you know that goes on in that mansion of his.”