Chapter 62 The Escape
"How did this happen?"
Gianni was on his feet. Every muscle coiled tight. Dangerous.
Marco's face was pale. Sweating despite the cool hospital air. "Corrupt guards. Two of them. Bribed with enough money to disappear for life."
"And the footage?"
"Erased. Every camera on that floor. Gone." Marco's hands shook as he pulled out his phone. "But boss, there's more. He left a message. On the wall of his hospital room. Written in blood."
He held up the phone.
The image made Cedric's stomach turn.
Red letters streaked across white tile. Messy. Violent.
Brother, you took what's mine. Now I'll take what's yours. Starting with the boy.
Gianni's jaw clenched so hard Cedric heard teeth grinding.
"We're moving you." Gianni turned to Cedric. His voice was steel. "Now. Before he finds out you're here."
"I can't even walk." Cedric gestured to his bandaged chest. To the IV lines. "I just got out of surgery."
"Then I'll carry you."
The door opened.
Linda rushed in. "I heard shouting. What's happening?"
Gianni didn't look away from Cedric. "Dante escaped. He's targeting Cedric."
Linda went white. "No. No, you said he was in custody. You said..."
"Plans change." Gianni's voice was clipped. Controlled. "Marco, get a car to the service entrance. Now."
"On it." Marco disappeared through the door.
"You need to take Lily somewhere safe too," Cedric said. His voice was stronger than his body. "If Dante knows about me, he knows about her."
"Already done." Marco reappeared in the doorway. Breathing hard. "Safe house. Maximum security. Your mother and sister are leaving in ten minutes."
Linda looked between them. At Cedric in the hospital bed. At Lily somewhere down the hall.
Torn.
"Go, Ma." Cedric reached for her hand. "Protect Lily. I'll be okay."
"Will you?" Linda's eyes fixed on Gianni. Distrust and fear warred across her face. "Last time you promised to keep him safe, he ended up with a bullet in his lung."
Gianni flinched.
"That's not fair," Cedric said quietly. "He saved my life in that warehouse. He's saving it now."
"By dragging you deeper into his world." Linda's voice cracked. "Baby, please. Come with us. To the safe house. Away from all this."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because Dante wants me. If I go with you, I put you and Lily in danger." Cedric squeezed her hand. "This is the only way to keep you both safe."
Linda's eyes filled with tears.
She leaned down. Kissed his forehead.
"I love you. No matter what happens. No matter what choices you make. I love you."
"I love you too, Ma."
She straightened. Looked at Gianni.
"If he dies, I'll kill you myself. I don't care who you are or how many men you have. I will find a way."
"Understood."
She left.
Cedric and Gianni were alone again.
Gianni moved to the IV stand. Started disconnecting lines with practiced efficiency.
"You've done this before."
"More times than I want to count." Gianni's hands were steady now. Focused. "Can you sit up?"
"I can try."
Cedric pushed himself up. Pain flared through his chest. White-hot and vicious.
He gasped.
Gianni caught him. "Easy. Slow."
"There's no time for slow."
"There's time for you not to tear your stitches again." Gianni's arm slid under his shoulders. Supporting him. "On three. One. Two. Three."
They moved together.
Cedric's feet touched the floor.
His knees buckled.
Gianni caught him. Lifted him like he weighed nothing.
"I can walk."
"No, you can't." Gianni adjusted his grip. Careful of the bandages. "Stop being stubborn."
"That's rich coming from you."
Despite everything, Gianni's lips twitched. Almost a smile.
The door opened.
Linda stood there. Holding Lily's hand.
Lily's eyes were wide. Scared.
She broke free.
Ran to the bed. To Cedric.
"Careful, baby," Linda called out. "He's hurt."
Lily stopped. Looked at Cedric in Gianni's arms.
She reached up. Hugged him carefully. Her small arms barely reaching around his waist.
"Don't let the bad man get you, Ceddy." Her voice was soft. Trembling.
Then louder. Looking at Gianni.
"You promised you'd protect him. You promised."
Gianni knelt. Slowly. Keeping Cedric secure in his arms.
He met Lily's eyes. Level with hers.
"And I will." His voice was steady. Absolute. "I swear on my life, Lily. Nothing will hurt him."
She studied his face. Searching.
Looking for lies.
Finding none.
She nodded.
Linda touched her shoulder. "Come on, sweetheart. We have to go."
Lily let herself be led away.
At the door, she looked back.
"Bye, Ceddy."
"Bye, Lily-bug."
The door closed.
Gianni stood. Still holding Cedric.
"Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
They moved toward the door.
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then went out completely.
Emergency lights activated. Red and harsh. Casting everything in blood-colored shadows.
"Gianni..."
"I know." His grip tightened. "Stay quiet."
They stood frozen in the red darkness.
The machines had stopped beeping. Silent now on battery backup.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Slow. Deliberate.
Getting closer.
Cedric's heart hammered against his ribs. Against the surgical incision. Each beat was agony.
The footsteps stopped.
Right outside the door.
The handle turned.