[Men of Inked 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set

by Chelle Bliss

  It shouted “hey, I’m hiding something.”

  I walked down the hall and nodded at the few people who walked by before making it to the heart of the ER. “Who needs to be seen?” I asked Constance, the station supervisor, as I leaned over the counter, staring at her mountain of paperwork.

  “Room seven needs assistance, I think. Check the board.” She didn’t look up at me as she shuffled the papers.

  My eyes looked over each row and stopped dead on one name.

  Gallo.

  Unable to move, I stared at the board, and heaviness settled over my body. My heart ached as it hammered inside my chest, wanting to burst.

  “What’s wrong, doc?” Her warm hands touched my fingers, breaking my trance.

  “Gallo in room seven,” I said, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat.

  “Motorcycle accident, serious injuries. Is there a problem, Dr. Greco? You’re white as a ghost.”

  I shook my head without looking at her. I needed to know if Michael lay in that room. “No, I’m okay. Let me get in there and help.”

  As I walked down the hallway, I felt like my shoes were filled with cement. I stood outside the room, gathering my thoughts before I walked in.

  Even if it were Michael on that table, I had to help save his life.

  I needed to separate myself from our…whatever we were.

  Holding my breath, I approached the gurney slowly.

  A dark-haired man lay motionless on the table covered in blood and dirt. Dr. Patel stood over him, shining a light in his eyes, as nurses hung IVs.

  “What do we have, doctor?” My voice cracked.

  The heaviness in my chest eased when my eyes flickered on the man’s face again.

  It wasn’t Michael.

  “Mr. Gallo, can you hear me?” Patel shouted to him, but he was unconscious. Looking up at me as he placed the light in his pocket, Patel spoke quickly, “Dr. Greco, we have an adult male thrown from a bike but wearing a helmet. His leg is mangled and we’ve controlled the bleeding. We’re still assessing the damage before sending him to surgery. We need to cut his clothing off and check for other injuries.”

  Grabbing a pair of scissors, I looked at his face before I started to cut the material around his injured leg. “Head trauma?” I asked, looking at the dried blood on his face and neck.

  “The helmet took the brunt of it, but he’s been in and out of consciousness. We’ve started him on pain meds for his leg and hand. He came in conscious, but the pain meds knocked him out. We need an x-ray on that leg for the surgeons.” His hands never stopped moving as he checked the patient’s body for visible damage.

  “X-ray, please,” I yelled to the nurse near the doorway before she scurried away.

  His blood pressure was elevated and needed to be brought under control before surgery.

  “Have you started him on anything for his BP?” I asked.

  Patel squinted at the monitor and grabbed a small vial from the cart, filling the needle before pushing the liquid into the line.

  “Clear the room, please,” the technician said, standing in the doorway with the portable x-ray machine.

  “After the films are taken, he can be prepped for surgery,” Dr. Patel said as we walked into the hall.

  I felt useless.

  I hated coming into a room late and feeling left out of the diagnosis, which usually happened at the start of the shift.

  “He’ll need surgery to repair his leg and most likely his hand.” Dr. Patel rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.

  “I can go talk to the family while you handle the transfer papers if you’d like,” I offered.

  I needed to see Michael if he was in the waiting room.

  Patel nodded, giving me a small smile before going back into the room when the technician called out, “All clear.”

  My stomach started to cramp as I walked toward the waiting room. I knew the other Gallos would be there.

  This wasn’t the way I wanted to meet them.

  When I pushed opened the door, the first person I saw was Michael. My heart raced and I wanted to jump into his arms. I had the urge to kiss him and tell him how worried I was when I saw his name, but I couldn’t.

  I needed to remain calm and do my job.

  His pained eyes met mine, and the cocky grin he wore so well was missing.

  “Gallo family?” I said, staring in his eyes.

  “Yes,” an older woman said, standing as she wiped her tear-stained face.

  I moved toward her, grabbing a chair, and positioned myself close to Michael.

  “I wanted to let you know he’s being prepped for surgery. Although we don’t know the full extent of his injuries yet, we know his leg needs surgery, being badly damaged in the wreck.” I looked at Michael, and swallowed as my nose tingled. “His hand is broken and may also need to be repaired. We won’t know more until he’s in the operating room.”

  “Was he awake, doctor? Can I see him?” the older woman asked, as she leaned forward, choking on her words.

  “He’s been in and out of consciousness, ma’am. You can see him when he’s in the recovery room.”

  “Will he live?” the blonde at her side asked, clutching the woman’s hand.

  “All I can say is that he’s currently stable, but his injuries are serious.”

  I could feel Michael’s eyes on me, almost boring a hole in my skin, as I talked with the two women.

  Tears began to stream down the younger woman’s face as she choked out, “Just make my Joey all right.”

  I patted her knee, trying to reassure her. “We’ll do everything in our power to help him.” I stood, looking at the entire family. “You can move to the surgery waiting room when you feel ready. Don’t hesitate to ask for updates and watch the monitor on the wall. It’ll indicate when the surgery begins and finishes.”

  Reaching out, the older woman touched my hand. “Thank you, dear.”

  I nodded before I looked at Michael, giving him a weak smile.

  “Come on, Mother, let’s go wait where the nice doctor told us for our boy,” the older gentleman that sat next to Michael said. Grabbing her by the waist, he helped her walk, allowing her to lean on him for support.

  I envied them. They loved each other. I smiled at them until screaming drew my attention toward the hall.

  “Outta my fucking way,” a woman yelled as she walked into the room.

  “Isabella, watch your mouth,” the mother said, her voice stern.

  Frowning, the woman looked at the floor, not making eye contact. “Sorry, Ma. What happened to Joe? Is he okay?” Her eyes glistened as a tear slid down her cheek.

  The mother touched her face, wiping away the tear. “He’s going to surgery. We’ll know more soon, baby girl. I know you adore your brother. He’s strong and a fighter. He’ll be okay,” she said, wrapping the girl in a loving embrace.

  “He has to be, Ma,” Isabella said, crying on her mother’s shoulder.

  “There, there, baby. Come on, let’s go.” She rubbed her back to soothe Isabella’s sobs.

  The older man motioned for everyone to follow him as he walked toward the door.

  I turned and looked at Michael, pleading for him to stay with my eyes.

  “I’ll meet you guys in a second. I need to talk to the doctor,” Michael said to his father after everyone else cleared the room.

  13

  Michael

  “Don’t be too long,” Pop said, watching us with his head tilted, rubbing his lip.

  Holding up my hand to him, I said, “Five minutes, tops.”

  Nodding, he walked out, leaving us alone.

  Mia threw herself in my arms with such force that she almost knocked the wind out of me.

  Wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, she said, “Oh my God, Michael. I was so scared it was you in that room.” Her voice broke as the words came out quick. “I wasn’t happy it was your brother, but I was relieved it wasn’t you.”

&nb
sp; Leaning back, I put my finger against her lips, stopping her from going any further. She blinked, the corners of her mouth turning up.

  “I’m fine, doc. How’s my brother, really? Not the bullshit stuff you tell all the families. Lay it on me.”

  “Sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes and swallowing. “It’s hard to say right now. He’s unconscious, so it’s hard to determine the extent of his injuries until he’s been fully evaluated, Michael. Thank God he wore a helmet.” She slid down my body, resting her hands on my chest.

  Holding her cheek in my palm, I caressed the soft skin. “Is he going to live?”

  She leaned into my touch, closing her eyes. “I can’t answer that with certainty.” She didn’t open them as she spoke. “I know they will do everything they can, Michael.”

  I inhaled and held my breath, trying to not break down into tears.

  Joe and I had a bond. He was my rock and my best friend. We’d busted each other’s balls for as long as I could remember. I couldn’t even begin to think about a day without him in my life.

  I wouldn’t think about it.

  I rested my forehead against hers. “Just keep me posted, Mia. If you hear anything or if you get any information before us, please don’t keep it from me. The waiting is driving me fucking crazy.”

  She cupped my cheeks and whispered against my lips, “I will, Michael. I’m so sorry.”

  We stood there for a moment, not moving, touching each other before I kissed her and let her go. “I better go before someone comes looking for me. I need to be there with them.”

  “I wish I had met them under different circumstances.” She frowned, wiping the corner of her eye.

  Tipping back her chin, I kissed her lips softly and smiled. “They won’t remember. It’ll be a blur after all is said and done.” I rubbed my nose against hers. “Message me when you get any information.”

  “I will,” she said, before we walked in opposite directions.

  ***

  After I’d been pacing for an hour and staring at the monitor that stated Joseph Gallo—Surgery in Progress, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

  Mia: They’re starting now. No internal injuries and he woke up before surgery.

  I exhaled the breath I’d held in as I pulled out my phone. The sick feeling in my stomach and the lump in my throat subsided as I read her message.

  I hated hospitals and wouldn’t feel at ease until he walked out of the front door.

  Me: That’s good news, no?

  I looked around the room at my family—I couldn’t keep the news to myself. They looked as shitty as I felt.

  “I have news,” I said as I stopped in the middle of the room.

  Everyone looked in my direction with hope in their eyes.

  “How?” Isabella asked, scooting forward in her seat. “Doesn’t matter,” she said, shaking her head. “What is it?”

  “My friend who works here said Joe has no internal injuries and that he woke up before surgery. They’re working on his leg and hand now.”

  “Oh, thank God,” my ma said as her body visibly relaxed in my father’s arms.

  “He’s going to be okay?” Suzy asked, as she jumped from her seat and approached me.

  “Yes, Suzy, babe. He’s going to be okay,” I said, wrapping her in my arms. I rubbed her back until my phone started to vibrate. I looked over her shoulder to read the message.

  Mia: It’s great news. Still going to be a long recovery, but he’ll survive.

  Suzy clung to me, her silent sobs of joy dampening my shirt. Needing the comfort as much as she did, I rested my head against her hair and held her.

  “I was so damn scared, Mike,” she said, fisting my shirt in her hands.

  “I know, Suzy. We all were. You know Joe. He’s not going out that easy. He loves you too much to go out that way.”

  Instead of that consoling her, she cried harder into my chest, breaking out into a sob.

  “He’s never going back on that goddamn bike. Over my dead body,” she muttered into my shirt.

  I bit my lip, trying to hold in my laughter. “Good luck with that, Suz. But if anyone can keep him off that bike, it’s you.”

  She patted my stomach as she backed away.

  He was so head over heels in love with her that he’d do just about anything to make her happy, but his bike might be a bone of contention.

  I knew why my brother loved her so much. Suzy was a special kind of girl—the needle in the haystack. Why he hadn’t married the girl was one thing I didn’t understand.

  They had recently begun building a home on his property in the middle of nowhere. They called it a “love shack,” but it was more like a grand palace. My mother was giddy when she learned they would have five bedrooms. She started planning for her future grandchildren immediately like a woman possessed, hence the baby blankets.

  I tossed my phone on the side table as I collapsed in the chair and rested my head against the wall. I couldn’t relax, even though my eyes burned and my body felt heavy.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the phone dancing across the Time magazine, and I scooped it up. I rubbed my eyes as I looked at the screen.

  Mia: I’m in the hallway, come out.

  Looking around, I saw her standing in the corner as she motioned for me. My heart sank until I noticed the smile on her face, but I couldn’t shake my paranoia about the entire situation.

  “I’ll be right back,” I said as I stood and walked out.

  “Hey,” she said, walking to me.

  “Everything all right? Something wrong with Joe?” Reaching out, I grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  “Nah, he’s doing great and your family will be able to see him soon.” Peeking over my shoulder, she looked in the waiting room. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay. I needed to check on you.”

  I smiled, brushing my thumb across the back of her hand. “Aw, you got a soft spot for me, doc?”

  She punched me in the shoulder. “You ass. I was being nice and thoughtful, but you’re smug as always, I see.” She laughed, the joy touching her eyes.

  “I’m doing okay. Everyone is relieved and waiting to see him.”

  “His surgeon will be in soon to talk and give you the details.” She smiled and closed her eyes, exhaling. “I’m glad he made it, Michael.” She blinked slowly as her face softened, the smile gone.

  “Me too, Mia.” I slid my hand up and down her arm before grasping her hand again. “When’s your shift end?”

  “I don’t get off work until tomorrow,” she said, moving closer.

  “I’m sure I’ll see you around tonight and in the morning. I’ll be in and out, but can I see you after work tomorrow? Away from all this.” I waved my hand in the air.

  “I’ll be exhausted and useless, but if you want to…I’m yours.” Her large hazel eyes sparkled as she smiled.

  Warmth spread through my body; from my core it radiated outward to my limbs. “Text me when you’re done if I don’t see you before then.” I touched her cheek. I wanted to lean forward and kiss her, but I stopped myself.

  It took everything in me not to give in to my craving.

  “I have to go,” she said, touching my hand.

  The electricity between us felt as strong as the first time we touched.

  “I’ll text you when I’m done,” she said, and pecked me on the lips.

  “Don’t forget me,” I whispered, swiping my finger against her soft cheek.

  “One thing you aren’t is forgettable, Michael.”

  She smiled before walking away, and glanced back before turning the corner, disappearing.

  Looking at the floor with a stupid grin on my face, I walked toward the waiting room and was met with a pair of black leather boots.

  “Who’s the girl?” Izzy asked, with a shitty grin and her arms across her chest.

  My big-mouth sister should be the undercover cop. She never let anything get past her.

  Looking at her with my mouth set in a stra
ight line, I responded, “My friend.”

  Grinning at me, she turned her head to the side, essentially calling bullshit. “Uh huh,” she muttered before moving to the side, letting me pass.

  Her stiletto boots click-clacked against the floor as she followed me. She stopped in front of our ma as my ass hit the chair.

  “Ma, Michael’s friend is a female doctor at the hospital. They looked to be a little more than friends, too.” Izzy smirked as my mother looked at me and then back to her.

  “Isabella, leave your brother alone,” my ma said in a stern voice, as Izzy sat next to my father and rested her head on his shoulder, glaring at me.

  Patting the chair, my ma called to me, “Come sit with me, Michael.”

  I moved to the seat next to her and winked at Izzy.

  My ma squeezed my leg before turning to me. “Did she say anything about your brother?”

  I told her everything Mia had shared with me about Joe.

  I could see my ma’s entire body relax with each word. “Is she your girl, son?” she asked, with a small smile on her face when I finished.

  Laughing, I shook my head. “I don’t know what we are, Ma. We just met a bit ago.”

  “It was nice of her to give you information about Joseph. She a good girl, baby?”

  I didn’t want to get into a debate on her meaning of good. To me, she was that and more. “Yes, Ma. I think she actually is.” I grinned, thinking about her tiny snores as she slept.

  “Don’t let that one go, you hear me?” She arched her eyebrow as she stared at me.

  “We just met, Ma.”

  “A mother knows, son.” She winked.

  “You just want grandbabies. Let me get to know her first, but I’ll hold on tight if she’s the one for me, Ma.”

  “Good, Michael. Now go grab me a cup of coffee, please?”

  “Light and sweet?” I asked as I stood.

  I’d do anything she asked me to do. I loved my ma.

  She was my first love.

  “No other way,” she said, laughing.

  “Anyone want anything? I’m headed to the cafeteria,” I asked, happy to be leaving the room for a bit. I needed to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.