Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
When he jumps into the driver's seat, I snap, “Get us out of here!”
The tires spin as he floors the gas, and when we speed away from the warehouse, I glance out the window, searching for the sniper.
I see something glint on top of a warehouse, and pointing at it, I say, “The fucker is up on that roof.” I dial Santi’s number and tell him where to go with strict orders to bring the sniper in alive.
We remain on high alert as Lorenzo drives toward the hospital.
“Who do you think is behind the assassination attempt?”
I move my shirt out of the way and look at the groove that’s oozing blood. “Fuck knows, but the shooter has shitty aim.”
Just as Lorenzo brings the SUV to a screeching stop by the hospital, my phone begins to ring, showing Santi’s name.
“Give me good news.”
“We have the shooter, boss. He’s Japanese.”
A cruel smile tugs at my mouth. “Good work. Take him to the cellar at my dad’s place.”
I end the call and quickly dial Dad’s number.
“Hi, son,” he answers.
“Someone just tried to kill me. Santi and John are bringing him to you. Don’t let Mom find out.”
Worry tenses his voice as he asks, “Are you okay?”
“The bullet only grazed my chest, but I’m bleeding a lot. We’re at the hospital. I’ll swing by as soon as Dr. Milazzo has stitched me up.”
“Christ, Augusto! I’ll make the fucker comfortable while we wait for you.”
“Just don’t kill him.”
“I’ll do my best.”
As the call ends, I shake my head. “Let’s get this over with quickly before my dad has all the fun, and we’re left with a mangled body.”
Lorenzo chuckles as we get out of the SUV and hurry into the hospital.
“Santi said the shooter’s Japanese,” I tell my friend as Simone rushes toward us.
“What are we dealing with?” she asks.
“A bullet grazed the left side of his chest,” Lorenzo informs her.
“Come this way,” she instructs, her tone professional.
While we follow her to one of the rooms, she makes a call. “Dr. Milazzo, please come to room three. Mr. Vitale’s here.”
I catch a glimpse of Rocco’s wife and their baby sitting in another room and ask, “Why are they here?”
Because the hospital belongs to the Cosa Nostra, Simone informs us, “It’s a routine check-up for Rocco Jr.” She gestures to the bed. “Please sit and take off your shirt, Mr. Vitale.”
Lorenzo helps me, fussing around me like a damn mother hen, and it has me snapping, “I’m fine. Go have a cigarette.”
“You sure?”
I jerk my head in the direction of the door. “Go.”
Dr. Milazzo comes in right after Lorenzo leaves, and for the next twenty minutes, I sit and stew while the doctor cleans the wound and gives me stitches.
“You should stay overnight for observation,” the good doctor says.
While I put on my shirt again, I shake my head. “You know that’s not going to happen.”
“It was worth a try,” he mutters. “How’s Yuki doing?”
“Fine. She’s reached her goal weight.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll come by the house tomorrow to check on both of you.”
I pat Dr. Milazzo’s shoulder. “Thanks for patching me up.”
“Let me get some painkillers for you to take home,” he says when I walk toward the door.
“Don’t worry about it. My mother keeps my medicine cabinet stocked.”
When I shrug my jacket on, Dr. Milazzo exclaims, “You need to be careful, or you will pull the stitches!”
Shoving my gun back into my chest holster, I walk out of the room while saying, “See you tomorrow, Doctor.”
Lorenzo’s been waiting in the hallway and pushes away from the wall. “How are you doing?”
“Pissed off.”
“I’m talking about the wound.”
“I’m fine.” When it looks like he’s going to say more, I shake my head. “It comes with the territory. You won’t be able to stop every bullet that comes my way.”
“Yeah, but I can at least die trying,” he grumbles.
After we get into the SUV, Lorenzo holds the round out to me. “I got it from the seat. There’s something carved into it. I think it’s Japanese.”
I take the round from him and inspect it. Wanting to know what it says, I pull out my phone and take a photo of the inscription. Checking with Google, I smile when a translation pops up.
“Revenge for the Yakuza,” I read out loud.
Lorenzo’s eyebrows lift as he steers the SUV out of the parking area of the hospital. “Seriously? They left a calling card?”
While he drives us to my parents’ house, I ask, “Would the Yakuza really be this stupid to try to take me out?”
“I don’t know. It sounds shady to me.”
“Why would Tanaka go through with the whole peace deal and wedding only to take a hit at me a month later?”
Lorenzo shakes his head. “Maybe someone’s not happy that you married Yuki, or they're trying the fuck with the peace treaty?”