Page 104 of Cartel Devil

That last part was muttered more to herself than an actual question I’m meant to answer. I’m sure I’ll get the same one several times more before we’re done. It dawns on me that this excuse won’t justify having Tre examined. I’m kicking myself for it. I look down at her and then at the woman at the desk.

“My girlfriend wasn’t close enough to be hit by any of the debris. However, she was knocked over. She’s ten weeks pregnant.”

“Ma’am, are you having any pain or bleeding?”

“No.”

Tre answers in a definitive tone. It still doesn’t stop me.

“I’d like her to be checked out too, please.”

I can tell both of them want to disagree. However, my expression makes it crystal clear I won’t budge. We don’t even have a chance to find seats in the waiting room before a triage nurse calls us back. I want to insist they examine Tre first, but her look is as unwavering as mine was only moments ago. She helps me ease off my suit coat before the nurse takes my vitals.

“I understand you have an injury to your back, Mr. Rodriguez.”

“I do.” I stand and turn around.

“Oh my God.”

I look over my shoulder and catch the nurse’s stunned expression. I doubt it’s really from the injuries. It’s more about how unexpected it is after my stoicism. Her gaze meets mine, and it confirms my suspicions.

“Yeah, we will get you back in a couple of minutes.”

It surprises me how amenable she’s being until I realize she’s staring at Tre. I lower my eyebrows, and Tre smiles.

“Tiffany and I went to high school together. We recognized each other.”

So, that’s it. The nurse recognized Tre as a Vizzini. Even with my pseudonym and not being from Boston, I’ll still get the royal treatment. Who am I to complain? It’s better than having to wait with a hundred other people. It’ll get Tre seen sooner too.

I have a momentary sense of guilt since I don’t think I’m in the worst condition. But I’ve been fighting wooziness I didn’t want to admit because I didn’t want to scare Tre. Or rather, not scare her more than I already have. Tiffany leads us back, and it’s déjà vu from just a few days ago.

Some of the other staff even recognize us. A male nurse approaches.

“Ms. Vizzini, are you having some spotting?”

Tre shakes her head. “No, we’re here for my boyfriend this time. He got injured at a job site, and we need him checked out.”

“Patrizia was there too, so she needs checking out as well.”

I can tell she’d roll her eyes if we weren’t in public. Her full name feels odd on my tongue. It’s not long before we’re both being seen in adjacent bays. Once again, this is far too reminiscent of what we’ve already experienced. I could certainly live without the flashback, but here we are, and here’s what we have to deal with.

I grin and bear it as I sit on the edge of the bed. It’s easier for the nurse to work, and it allows me to watch the ultrasound. We’ve definitely had far more baby-vision than the typical couple at this stage, but I won’t turn it down.

The very unique sound is reassuring. I once thought hearing Mamá’s voice could cure all the ills of the world. Hearing my child’s heartbeat surpasses that.

It takes the nurse half an hour to clean and butterfly stitch my wounds. Fortunately, none of them need a staple gun, but glue wouldn’t be enough. These will naturally peel off on their own. Truthfully, it might have been my insistence that I didn’t need them sewn shut that led to the steri-strips.

I need my wounds closed, but sutures would tug too much if I had to move quickly—like in a fight. The dissolvable ones that’re slowly wearing away were fine after the hit-and-run because I didn’t imagine a second attack, but I’m not making the same mistake twice.

We all avoid sutures whenever we can because of the inconvenience. If I were home though, I know I wouldn’t have swayed Tía Margherita or Madeline.

However, the nurse who came in took one look at me and appeared willing to do just about anything I said. That earned her a glower from Tre. It wasn’t my size or demeanor that swayed the nurse. From Tre’s expression, it was my appearance. I’ve been told I’m rather attractive.

Tiffany gives Tre’s hand a squeeze after she finishes examining her. I can tell a familiar face reassures Tre that I’ll be all right. It does the same for me since I’m disinterested in my own injuries and more concerned with what’s going on with her.

I can tell I need to back off a bit, or I’ll suffocate her. I don’t want her to grow resentful or feel like I’m too controlling. I am, but I don’t need to make it that obvious.

Fortunately, once they’re finished with my back, we’re able to leave. Since there’s no need to linger, we head out. We were there too long for the driver to remain near the emergency room entrance. The four Diaz men join us and escort us to the parking structure.