“Mona called me,” Frankie explained. “One of the nurses recognized you from Brighton, and she called to inform someone since you didn’t have your purse or phone on you.”
I watched her good eye lowered as she lied to Frankie. “I was mugged.”
Frankie didn’t comment immediately, but when she did, she said, “Robbie, we know you weren’t mugged.”
Still avoiding eye contact, Robbie muttered, “Yes, I was.”
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I walked over to the other side of the bed, gripped the bars, and snarled, “You think we don’t know work when we see it, Robbie?” She kept her eyes down. “Because I guarantee you, even if Frankie can’t recognize it, Phoenix and I know it when we see it.” I leaned down into her space. “We ought to, since we’re experts at it.”
Robbie looked up at me and gone was the guilt for Frankie. Her good eye sparkled with anger. “I got mugged,” she repeated. “And, even if I didn’t, I don’t see how it’s any fucking business of yours.”
I straightened, all fiery rage morphing into cold fury. “You dare to say that to me after last night?” I asked, my voice controlled and scaring the fuck out of Frankie and causing Nix to jump out of his seat and walk over to me.
They knew my temper.
Robbie didn’t.
“Ciro, calm down,” Phoenix murmured next to me. “Relax, man.”
I wanted to. However, that was impossible with Robbie spewing hate at me. “Last night?” she scoffed, and I saw pain flash in her eyes at that minor effort. She was in serious pain. “You mean after the favor you were doing for your sister?” Before I could explain about my comment, she went on. “Since you’re so keen on doing favors, how about you do me one and just leave me the hell alone.”
I couldn’t speak, I was so furious.
I couldn’t articulate one single word, and Phoenix knew it.
He wedged himself in between me and the hospital bed, placing his hands on my chest. “Ciro, man, I need you to get it together,” he whispered. “She’s been through a lot. Just…just calm down, okay?”
I was fucking trying.
I swear I was.
But then she kept fucking talking.
“As a matter of fact, I’d like it if you all left,” she announced, and Frankie’s sorrowful gasp broke my heart. “I’m tired and you guys don’t need to concern yourselves with a random mugging.” Her voice was impassive when she added, “Just go back home to Morgan City.”
I shoved Phoenix out of the way and got in Robbie’s face. “Listen to me, and listen to me well,” I seethed down at her. “I agree Nix needs to take Frankie back home, but you are out of your goddamn mind if you think I’m leaving you here.”
Robbie looked me in the eye as she threatened me, The motherfucking Son of Morgan City. “If you don’t leave my room, I will call the nurse and have them bring security, if not the real police. I will get rid of you, one way or the other.” I shook with rage. “I don’t need you here or want you here, Ciro. Leave. Me. Alone.”
I was going to kill her.
My entire vision went black and, when it cleared, Phoenix had me up against the wall and Frankie was practically in the bed, covering Robbie. She had tears streaming down her face and I knew I needed to get out of here.
I stormed out of the hospital room and didn’t stop until sunshine hit my face and I could breathe again.
Chapter 20
Roberta~
I cried.
As painful as it was, I couldn’t stop the tears sliding down my face as I sat on my couch wishing Gary and Merrick had just killed me when they had the chance.
After Ciro had stormed out of my hospital room, Phoenix had gathered Frankie in his arms and escorted her out. I had felt horrible about hurting Frankie’s feelings, but her safety was more important than her feelings. She had promised to be back, but I begged her to just let it be. I swore I’d call her soon, but I had told her I’d prefer it if she just went back home. She had been heartbroken, but it was for the best. I also knew Phoenix wasn’t going to put up a fight. He wanted his wife back in Morgan City, too.
I was discharged the next morning with re-cracked ribs, a broken left hand, the earlier wound above my eye stitched closed this time, lots of major external and internal bruising and a busted lip. The hospital had wanted to keep me for another day, but I insisted on leaving. I didn’t have time to be laid up in a hospital. I had one week to find that damn box and I needed to get home to start looking again. Granted, I couldn’t move much, but it felt better being at home. I was also sent home with a shitload of narcotics, and I wasn’t proud, I took them when the pain got to be too much.
The intake nurse who had called Brighton to notify someone that I had been mugged had done me a favor by calling my work. Yesterday after Frankie, Phoenix, and Ciro had left, a nurse had come to let me know that Teddy had called and wanted them to give me a message that for me not to worry about work. They had it covered. But I knew I would be let go soon. It’s going to take another month for me to heal from my injuries, and I’d only been back a week. I knew they couldn’t afford to keep carrying me through my ‘misfortunes’.
Now, sitting on my couch, pain consuming every inch of my body, I cried.
I felt like a rat trapped in some horrible
