It’s awkward, knowing that they both know what I’m doing, but when I come out, Santino’s not there. “Sorry, he had a call he had to take. So I have a few personal questions that I need to ask you.”
“Go ahead.” He reads off a list of medical questions, making notations. When I peek at the file on his tablet, the name for the patient isn’t mine, but I’m guessing that’s just in case someone starts asking questions.
Santino comes back and walks the doctor out. “I’m going to take a nap,” I tell him. Suddenly with the blood taken, I’m extra tired.
Chapter Nine
Santino
“Santino, don’t worry. I’ll have the results to you by tomorrow under a different name. Nothing I tell you will be shared with anyone you don’t want,” Francisco says as we walk down the stairs.
“Thanks, Rey,” I say, shaking his hand.
“No problem. She’s sweet, and I hope that everything comes out well.”
“Me too. Me too.” After he leaves, I go upstairs to check on Giada. She’s sleeping softly, and I’m lost in how beautiful she is. The past two days have been insane. I need Giada more than I ever expected to need anyone before.
I cover her up and head back downstairs to work. It’s hard to do, but she needs as much rest as she can get. Once I have the all clear, I doubt I’ll give her a good night’s sleep again.
LOOKING AT THE CLOCK, it’s now after four. The day flew by so fast I forgot about lunch. I hope Rita brought something up to Giada. I’m about to summon Rita when my phone rings. I scoop it off my desk and bring it to my ear and say, “Santino Marchetti speaking.”
“Brother, it’s good to know you’re out.” I hold back the bile that rises in my throat. “Where’s my wife?”
I’d love to slam his head into the ground right now, but I have to keep it together. “Wow. What a fucking greeting! I don’t know where your wife is. Why would you think I’d know anyway?”
“Dad told me how you were eye fucking the little whore.” Of course he told him. I have a lesson to teach that old bastard soon. You never put your hands on a woman like that—especially my woman.
Ignoring his reference to Giada, I chuckle hard. “Giada’s a beautiful woman. It’s hard not to stare at young pussy that looked like a little lost puppy ready to suck my dick. Nevertheless, brother, I haven’t had pussy in two years. Getting my dick wet sounds fucking great, but I’m not going to get leftovers from you. I don’t want a woman no matter how beautiful with someone else’s kid or some damn disease. Speaking of diseases...are you still visiting that hooker?”
“What’s it to you?” he snarls.
“I’m just saying. Maybe you should ask her. Don’t you guys have cameras at the compound? Maybe she’s a little jealous.”
“We do, but they malfunctioned last night. Besides, she was with me last night.”
“Convenient. Look, I’m not in the mood to deal with your problems. I’ve got enough of my own. I’ve been dealing with company matters since I visited Mom and Dad. So if you don’t have anything nice to motherfucking say, I’ve gotta go.”
“Sorry, Tino. I just figured I’d ask. I can understand you’ve been through hell. I’ve got other girls if you’re interested.” I’m ready to fucking vomit when he makes that suggestion.
“I want a good girl, Rafael,” I say.
“Well, then I can get you one of those,” he persists. I’m not interested in anything he has to offer.
“I’m keeping my nose clean. So, I’ll do it the old-fashioned way, but if I get desperate, I’ll give you a call.”
“Suit yourself. When are you coming back to visit?” I bet he wants to know for sure.
“I don’t know. I’m sure Mom misses me, but like I said, I’m getting my company back and there’s so much shit I’m trying to catch up on.”
“Let me know when you do, and we can chat it up. Now I need to find that bitch and ring her neck before tossing her around to the crew.”
I control the rage in me because it doesn’t do me any good to lose it. “Nothing’s changed, I see.”
“Nope. The dumb bitch is infertile. That pisses me off more than anything. A wasted virgin. I should cap her parents for selling me damaged goods.”
I look up and see Giada staring at me with tears streaming down her eyes. Shit, she must have overheard me. “Good luck. I’ve got to go. My lawyer’s on the other line.” I hang up and look at Giada. She walks into my office and closes the door.
“You didn’t lock the door,” she remarks. I left her door unlocked because I hoped that she wouldn’t run out.
With Rafael calling, there’s no guarantee that one of his men isn’t lurking around. I can’t have her roaming now. “I don’t want you out of the room. I thought I told you that.” I march her ass straight upstairs to our room and slam the door shut. “Keep your ass in there until I’m done. Then we’ll talk.”
“If you don’t want me, then why the fuck am I here?” she shouts through the door. Fuck, I want to go in there and take her right now, but he’s onto me. Game changer.
I MAKE A CALL TO MY lawyer to act like I really just spoke to him just in case they manage to double check. Our call is short and just as I hang up, my cell phone rings. “Hello?”
“We got people creeping around the house,” Joey says.
“Good. Call the cops. I don’t want anyone snooping around my property. When you’re done, come into my office and report to me.” I hang up, seething with rage. What I have to do is going to kill me, but I have to do it.
When Joey comes in, he’s brought an officer in with him. “Hello, Mr.
