by Soraya Naomi
And then he stops. Through my irregular breathing and teary eyes, it takes me a moment to grasp that the water has stopped hitting my face.
The same gruff voice from the parking garage speaks, and he leans in close enough for me to determine his eyes are dark blue. “Who are you?” He removes the plastic that covers my mouth, and I gurgle the water out, wheezing and coughing.
I’m absolutely confounded by his simple question. These two definitely don’t know whom they’re up against.
“Luca,” I answer, without looking away, and I spot a silver cross pendant that I’ve seen before around his neck. The necklace was tucked inside his collar but falls out as he leans in more.
“Who are you to Fallon Michaels?”
Fallon? I thought this was Syndicate related. Why the interest in Fallon?
“Who the fuck are you?” I counter furiously through my ragged breaths.
“That’s what I’m wondering about you. You’re more than an entrepreneur, DeMiliano.”
So it is Syndicate related but also tied to Fallon.
Fucking great!
I grin and stay silent just to taunt him a little, and it works. Through his tight mask, I can see his jaw clenching in irritation. Then they start again. He pours water onto my face, over my breathing passages, triggering the almost immediate gag reflex for a second time. This time, they stop sooner and both leave my side. In my bewildered and unbalanced state, I see them standing in the doorway, whispering frenziedly. I’m coughing constantly, my throat is killing me, and my bones ache to the core. Yet I suppress the cough long enough to eavesdrop on their last words.
“...go now.”
They disappear from the doorway, and I breathe a sigh of relief that the horrendous torture I just experienced has ended. I force myself to keep my eyes open to try to stay as alert as possible. I’ve stopped struggling against the restraints because the skin on my wrists is broken, and I can feel the blood trickling down my hands.
Adriano will find me soon. Although I have no idea what time it is or how long I was unconscious when they took me, I need to stay positive.
These men weren’t smart enough to confiscate and destroy my phone, and I pressed call before I let it slip back into my pocket in the garage, so I’m hoping Adriano heard the commotion and is tracking my phone.
I hear the footsteps of several men approaching.
Fuck, don’t let them be coming back. I’ll go crazy after a third round.
A shadow holding a gun blocks the doorway and closes the distance while scanning the room quickly.
“Luca, fuck!” Adriano instantly removes the shackles as Damian enters the room.
“Everything’s clear,” Damian tells Adriano, and they flank me to help me up.
“Adriano.” I cover my mouth with my fist while still coughing, and I’m extremely exhausted. “Who are they?”
“I don’t know; two men escaped. My priority was to get to you first.”
I nod, still unable to control my irregular breathing. “Get me out of here. Where is here by the way?”
“Industrial area outside the Loop,” Adriano replies.
“How long was I gone?”
“Three hours. It’s around eight,” he informs me.
“Take me home and call Doc.”
***
The doctor is already at The Blackhall when Adriano and I arrive. Damian stayed behind at the industrial area to do some investigating.
As I lie on my back on the couch, the doctor examines me.
“Open.” He directs his light down my throat after I open my mouth. “What did they do, Luca?”
“Waterboarding.”
Doc flinches. “Fuck, that’s torture that often traumatizes victims for years.”
That’s true, but we’re trained to have a powerful mind. “It won’t affect me.”
“Hopefully not, but if you start to experience irrational fears, you have to tell me,” he orders in his kind, professional tone.
“I will.”
“As far as I can see without performing a scan, you’re fine. Here’s some Ibuprofen for the sore muscles you’re going to have.”
“Thank god they didn’t have time for a third round because that would’ve flipped me. I could barely handle it twice,” I say, addressing Adriano who’s standing in front of the window.
Exhaustion clouds his face. “How could they’ve captured you so easily, Luca?”
“I wasn’t drinking,” I defend to my friend and sit up as Doc places his materials back in his leather bag. “This was all planned by Collopy, I think. I happened to run into Fallon today, and she told me that Collopy’s blackmailing her. Thanks,” I say to the doctor when he hands me some cream, which works like magic to reduce bruising and swelling within hours, for my wrists.
Adriano’s eyes narrow in doubt.
“I was taking your advice,” I comment dryly. “I ran into her when Brenda and I were about to leave— Fuck! I need to check my phone.” I suddenly remember that I was expecting a call from James, so I pull my phone out of my pocket and listen to a voicemail from David.
“Michaels has been attacked and is in the hospital. I followed her from work to that coffee shop where she met you, then she went home. I saw the woman you’re looking for, Collopy, who was obviously in pain, leave the apartment building five minutes later, and then I went in. Fallon’s door was open, she was unconscious, and I think she has a broken nose. I said I was the neighbor when I called the ambulance. Where are you? I don’t have another number to contact in case of this kind of emergency.”
I leap up from the couch. “Fallon was attacked by Collopy. She’s in the hospital. I...I have to go.”
Dr. Calderone stops me by my arm. “I’ll drive you. I have to go to the hospital anyway.”
I point my finger to Adriano. “Find Kelli Ann Collopy!”
***
My shoes click on the grey floor as I approach Fallon. She looks so vulnerable lying in a hospital bed and hooked to an IV.
Ti ho deluso. I failed you.
If I hadn’t been so busy fighting my emotions toward her, she would’ve been with me tonight. I swallow back the brick stuck in my throat as I focus on her bruised face. Her nose is swollen, and the skin is discolored. A smudge of dried blood is on her nose, so I wet a cloth under the faucet of the sink in the corner of the room and gently wipe it away. Then I sit next to Fallon, staring at her tainted bruises and suppress a desperate need to punch the wall repeatedly, wishing it was Kelli Ann’s fucking face.
Doc joins me and speaks while he reads her chart, lifting pages. “Her pain medication will keep her asleep for a couple of hours. No broken nose, no permanent damage, but she has a minor head injury.”
“Can you take her over as a patient?” I trace my fingers over hers.
“Already did that.”
“Thanks, Doc. Keep me updated if there’s any change in her condition.”
“No problem. You need to rest too, Luca. Give your system time to heal after the shock of waterboarding, which can have negative long-term effects. And Fallon’s parents have been called, they should arrive soon.”
The thought of someone hurting her has always made me want to go on a rampage. And now that she’s been hurt by a cop, I’m ready to declare an all-out war against the police department.
I stroke her hair and press my lips softly to her forehead. “I’m going home just for tonight. Adriano’s going to send a soldier to keep guard.”
CHAPTER 16
Fallon
I’m stuck, surrounded by blackness, and a deplorable sense of foreboding has me crying. There’s a need building in me to get out, but something hinders me from standing up.
Someone’s sniffing quietly.
“Noah, I’m worried about her. I told you something was going on. She’s been too distant the last few months. Even with Teagan; she barely speaks to Fallon.”
“When she wakes up, you can ask her everything. But, Elise, don’t pound her wi
th questions.”
I open my eyes to a bright white and blue room and my parents sitting beside the bed.
My mother leans toward me and covers my hand with hers. “Sweetie.”
“Mom,” I croak out through my throat. “What happened?”
I feel as if I’m in a fog and can’t quite discern whether I’m in pain or not. Last thing I recall is fighting with Collopy in my apartment.
My dad caresses my forehead. “Your neighbor found you passed out in the living room, Fallon. Your door was open. You were attacked; do you remember?”
I nod but stop the movement when a sharp pain cuts through my head, and I shut my eyes.
“Sweetie? Fallon?” My mother’s panicked voice sounds far away.
Feet are shuffling.
Yet all I want is Luca.
“Miss Michaels, please open your eyes,” an unfamiliar voice coaxes me gently, and I obey.
“Welcome back.” A tall doctor in his white coat and with extremely grey hair greets me as he opens my chart. “How are we feeling this morning?”
My face and head hurt. I bring my hand to my nose and wince from the throbbing soreness. “What day is it? How long have I been out?”
“Just one night.” He reads the chart.
My mother, who has a tendency to want every answer instantly, interjects, “Tell him how you’re feeling, Fallon.”
“My head, throat, and face hurt, especially my nose.” I try to sit up, and my father comes to my aid, propping another pillow behind my back.
The doctor’s nametag reads Dr. Calderone, and my eyes widen because Calderone is James’s surname, Luca’s boss.
The doctor notices my reaction to his name and quickly continues, “The pain will subside soon. I had to insert an oral airway to facilitate suctioning because you were found unconscious; that’s why your throat might feel sore. And I have you hooked to the IV for fluids and to administer your pain medications. You don’t have a nasal fracture, but you do have a mild head injury. We’ve ruled out a neck injury, but I would like to keep you here for a couple of hours. If you experience repeated vomiting, worsening headache, dizziness, or weakness or numbness in your arms or legs, or if signs of basilar skull fracture develop, you’ll have to stay overnight.”
“Okay.” I sigh, relieved that I have only minor injuries.
The doctor then addresses my parents, “Could I examine her alone for a moment?”
My mother nods while my father has been disturbingly silent so far.
“We’ll be right outside,” he says to me after placing a soft kiss on my forehead. And they clear out.
As soon as the door closes, Calderone informs me, “Fallon, I’m a friend of Luca’s. I’m his doctor. You do know what I mean, right?”
“Yes.” He’s a Syndicate doctor. He’s mafia, Cosa Nostra. They’re everywhere among us normal people, apparently.
“You’ll be fine. I’m only keeping you here because Luca wants you to be protected today and not home alone.”
“But I won’t be home alone because my parents are here. I really don’t want to stay if I’m physically fine and can recuperate at home.”
He repeats, “You need to stay here and get rid of your parents.”
“Why?”
“I only receive orders, Fallon. I can’t answer all of your questions.”
“Can I call Luca?”
“By all means.” He hands me his phone.
Of course, I still know Luca’s number by heart, and he answers immediately, “Yes.”
“Luca, it’s me.”
He lets out a deep sigh. “I’m glad you called. I suppose you talked to the doctor?”
“I did; he’s right here. Who is he?” I have to be certain that I can trust this doctor before continuing the call.
“He’s part of the Syndicate, only as our doctor, and is not technically a member. He’s James’s brother and only treats the highest ranking men of the Chicago Syndicate: James, Salvatore, Adriano, and me. I trust him wholeheartedly; he’s a good guy. We can’t go to the hospital when we have bullet wounds or anything else because hospitals are obligated to report it, and that’s why we have our personal doctor handling all our injuries. He’s legal and works for the hospital full time. Now tell me how you feel?”
“Like shit.” I sniff loudly in an unladylike manner.
“Shhh. Everything’s going to be fine, but I need you to talk your parents in going back to Lake Forest. I have an entire team searching for Collopy, Fallon. I know she attacked you, and trust me, she’ll pay.”
That makes me feel even worse, or maybe not. And that unsettles me even further. “What am I supposed to do? Who found me? What if she finds me before you find her?” I wipe my eyes with the white cotton sheet, avoiding the area around my nose.
“You’re scared and confused. Calmati. Calm down. Listen carefully to me. A soldier is guarding you at the hospital. Your parents won’t know because he’s discreet. But, and I don’t know how yet, Detective Wade knows you were attacked. He’ll visit you, and you must say in your statement that you didn’t see the person that attacked you and that he – yes, you will imply it was a man – only asked for money. Wade will come to the conclusion that it was just a random break-in for money—”
“But—”
“I know it’s a lie, but it’s the easiest way right now, and Wade can’t do anything if that’s your official statement. My man that was watching you saw Collopy leave your apartment, and then he found you and called the ambulance. He also made it look like a robbery. I want you to stay in the hospital until I come pick you up, but that might take a while. I can probably be there by the end of the day.”
I’m not looking forward to staying here the entire day, but the smartest and safest choice for me right now is to obey Luca’s orders, which he can so beautifully disguise as requests. “I’ll wait for you, but what do I tell my parents? I actually do want them to leave because I don’t want them involved in any of this, Luca. My father’s lawyer instinct is already on high alert.”
“Hmm...What did your father say?”
“Not much, but I saw the suspicion in his eyes. He knows I’m in trouble somehow.”
“You’re not in trouble. Call Jason, and have him come to you. I’ll have Dr. Calderone mention that you need rest – which you do need, then you tell your parents they can go home and that Jason will stay with you.”
“I’m not sure that’ll work.”
“Try it. Do you have your own phone?”
I look up at the doctor. “Do I have my phone here?”
He points to my bag on a chair by the window. “Your mother brought your belongings.”
I answer Luca, “Yeah, I have my phone.”
“Keep it with you because I’m going to call you.”
It feels so nice to have him take care of this mess. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I can’t refrain from asking about his date. I may have been beaten, but the jealousy I feel pains me more. “Is she your girlfriend, Luca?”
His exhale sounds loud in the receiver. “No, she’s nothing to me.”
We’re silent for a long time and just listen to each other’s breathing before he ends the call, and I hand the phone back to Dr. Calderone.
“Can you get my bag?” I request.
“Sure.” He gives it to me. “You need to rest now, Fallon.”
“I will. I just need to make one call, and then we need to convince my parents to leave this place.”
***
An hour later, the same people from this morning, including Jason, surround my bed.
Everyone’s listening to the doctor speak, “I want you to do nothing but rest for a week.”
Jason, as instructed by me, tries to lighten the situation. “So she’s fine, just needs some rest. We can do that.” His lips curl up.
My father offers, “She can come home with us. Doctor, thank you. I’m glad to hear she’s fine physically.” My father th
en says to Jason, “But I’m a little concerned about this robbery at her place.”
Of course, my mom agrees.
Before I can, Jason replies, “Noah, it’s also happened in my apartment building. She’s having new locks installed this afternoon, and I really think Fallon wants to go home.” He looks at me.
“All I’ll be doing is sleeping. I feel bad that you have to hang out around here. You can go and I’ll rest at home.”
“You’re my child,” my mom points out indignantly. “We’re not leaving you right now, Fallon.”
I blow out air through my mouth, causing my nose to sting, and I grimace, which intensifies the pain. “Okay, sorry, Mom.” She means well, and I’m hoping they’ll leave anyway after they see I’m asleep the entire time.
My dad’s eyes thin at me, and I’m kind of dreading the moment when we’ll be alone and he’ll be firing his questions at me.
But thankfully, it doesn’t come to that, because I’m indeed knocked out for the rest of the morning and afternoon due to the pain medicine.
***
When visiting hours end that night, Luca hasn’t arrived, so Dr. Calderone comes to my aid.
“Mr. Michaels, because of her repeated vomiting, I want to keep her overnight. Visiting hours are, unfortunately, almost over.”
“You can go, Noah, Elise. I’ll come pick her up tomorrow and drive her home,” Jason suggests.
My mom and dad catch each other’s eyes then look over to me as I send them a sweet smile in spite of my freaking nose, which is still throbbing.
“Fine.” My dad caves and strokes my hair lovingly. “Call me first thing in the morning, okay?”
“I will.” I feel guilty for lying to my parents, but I want them far away from here until Luca has dealt with Collopy.
They exit with the doctor and Jason.
Dr. Calderone comes back ten minutes later and removes my IV. “I’m not sure what time Luca’s coming, so I’ve already finalized your release papers. When he gets here, you can just leave. I’ve made sure you can stay in this room until he arrives, even though you’re already officially released from the hospital.”
