Chapter 107 The Promise
Luka's P.O.V.
What is that beeping noise? I try to open my eyes and quickly shut them again. Oh, shit. I'm in the hospital. How did I get here? I open my eyes again and look to my side, only to see an angry blonde staring back at me.
"Please tell me that someone did this to you, and you didn't try to kill yourself," Dakota says, pacing back and forth next to the bed.
"Hello to you, too." I try to joke, but she turns to glare at me.
"Don't try to be cute, Luka. Do you know how scared I was when Tyler called me? Do you realize you almost died? If he hadn't gone home to get his things when he did, then you could have ended up in the morgue." I feel bad when I see the fear in her eyes. I guess there's no point in hiding this anymore.
"I didn't try to kill myself, and no one did this to me. I started using heroin about six months ago. It was supposed to be a one-time thing at a party. I had always turned down drugs when they were offered, but I figured one time wouldn't hurt. That one time turned into wanting it every weekend and then needing it multiple times throughout the day just to function. It's all I could think about. I wanted to stop so many times. Every time I put that needle in my arm, I told myself it would be the last time. I had convinced myself I could stop whenever I wanted. When Dad texted me and told me about the explosion, I decided this really was going to be my last time. I took more than usual to get the ultimate high, and I guess it was too much. I'm so sorry I scared you." I close my eyes when they begin to sting with tears.
"Oh, Luka. I wish you had told me what was going on so I could have helped you before it got to this. When Tyler called me, I told him to have you brought here to St. Ann's, where the rest of us are, so we can all be under one roof. Your mom and dad are on the way. Please tell me this was a wake-up call for you, and you're ready to get help." Dakota pulls a chair next to me and takes my hand. I'm so scared of what I'll see when I open my eyes, but all I see is how scared she is.
"Yes, I'm ready. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd be disappointed in how weak I was. I'm not as strong as you are. You would never make a mistake like that." She rubs my head gently.
"I'm only disappointed that you didn't think you could talk to me. Any one of us could succumb to addiction." This is why she's the head of the family. Dakota never shames people. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and family always comes first.
"How is everyone after the explosion?" I ask, looking her over.
"I'm okay, thanks to Ari. He shoved me to the ground. His entire back is covered in second and third-degree burns. Sarah and Noah have a few scrapes and bruises. Xavier was in the driver's seat, and he has a few minor burns. I just don't understand who would do this and how they got into our garage." I don't like the sound of that. If someone got into our garage, what else did they get into?
"Who is Ari?" I ask. Dad mentioned that name, too, but I have no idea who he is.
"Ari Buccheri. He's Galdino's son. We're seeing each other." My mouth falls open.
"How long was I out?" I ask, and Dakota smiles.
"You've only been here for about an hour. When I went to the benefit, I talked to Galdino. He's not the one who killed Grandpa, and he's not after us. He's a really nice man. I met Ari there, and we've been together since then. It's only been three days, but it feels much longer. Until we know who we can trust, we're going to stay at Galdino's compound. I'm staying here until Ari gets released." I have been in my own world for a few days, but I feel like I have been gone for months.
"Wow, a lot has happened. I've heard of Ari. His girlfriend, Aubrey, reached out to me a few years ago." Dakota smacks my arm.
"His ex-girlfriend. What did she want with you?" Does Dakota know how freakishly strong she is? My arm stings from her slap, but I pretend it didn't hurt.
"She wanted me to sleep with her. I told her I don't mess with used-up trash." Dakota bursts out laughing.
"That's priceless. She tried to see Ari a couple of hours ago, and she had already pissed me off when we went to dinner at the Amedo twins’ mansion, so I gave her an ass-kicking she won't forget." I chuckle and shake my head.
"I bet she thought you were harmless. You're like a pocket-sized Power Ranger." Dakota starts laughing and shrugs.
"What can I say? When you fuck with my family or my man, you get fucked up. Are you going to be okay? I want you to tell me that you're really ready to stop the drugs." She looks into my eyes, and I squeeze her hand.
"I'm ready. I'm not happy about how you found out, but I'm glad it's out in the open. I was too ashamed to tell anyone. I won't let you down." Dakota stands and kisses my forehead.
"You can't let me down. When you feel like you can't handle something, please tell me. Don't let it almost cost you your life. I can't lose my brother." I smile up at her. Dakota doesn't see cousins or friends. When you're with her, you're her brother or sister. She loves with her whole heart, and once you're in her family, you better not screw up because she's not afraid to cut you out. This is why she's the boss. Dakota is passionate, smart, and lethal, all wrapped up in a tiny, cute package. No one better tell her I called her 'tiny' or 'cute,' please. I'd like to walk out of the hospital, not crawl.
"I will, I promise. No more secrets." She kisses my forehead again, and we look up when the door opens. It's my parents. It's always funny how even our parents and uncles are around Dakota. She was born with something that made her a natural leader who demands respect. I think it's incredible. I've known her since we were kids, yet I am still in awe of her. She pats my shoulder and walks to the door.
"He's all yours." She hugs each of them before turning to me with a smile.
"Let me know if I need to kick his ass." I laugh as she winks and blows me a kiss. That's Dakota. Sweet and spicy.