Page 71 of War Within
“I couldn't forget something like that.” I shot Carmine a knowing glance.
“Why is that?” Leo shrugged, shifting his weight.
Carmine’s eyes flickered. He turned away. I sighed, lifting my hand. It was a long story, and I did not want to get into it. Leo took the hint, thankfully. He spun to Carmine, patting him on the shoulder.
“You did good, Carmine, thank you.”
“Mr. Rovati?” Doctor Calluke’s voice rang from behind.
I twisted toward him, voiceless, scared to ask.
“Can I speak to you for a moment, please?”
Nodding, I gestured to Carmine and Leo. “You can speak freely.”
“Very well.” He bowed his head slightly. “Emir suffered blood loss. He is going to be okay but will need quite a bit of time to heal. It’s rare I can say that, as gunshots are not common occurrences here. The bullet did miss his organs, lodging itself into a muscle.”
I heard what I needed to hear. Tuning out everything else he said, I could count on Carmine to listen for me. His eyes darted to me, bobbing his head. He had been in my life long enough to know when I needed him to be my eyes or ears. Even though we had a falling out, and I felt harshness toward him about the past, I knew when it mattered, I could trust him. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it was the truth. We knew one another so well, we could still communicate silently after so long. My mind raced, thinking about the events that had just occurred.
“Do you have any questions for me, Mr. Rovati?”
Carmine nudged me.
I was brought back to the conversation immediately. “And when should he be released?”
“If everything stays as it is now, six days. He's currently undergoing a blood transfusion. We like to keep patients for a week after a transfusion,” he sighed, “but I know you will want him to leave sooner.
“When can I see him?”
“I think tomorrow will be fine.” He lifted a finger to his chin. “Your son is going to be okay, don’t worry.”
Son? My son. No.Without another word, I nodded once, unable to bring myself to correct him.
Leo stood guard outside Emir’s room at the hospital. Carmine and I went back to the resort, to make certain we had ended Marco’s plans. Though he was gone now, it did not mean he was finished. Anyone working for him was not aware of his passing.
As I was breaking down the surveillance equipment, Carmine entered the living room, holding his laptop. Pausing, he narrowed his gaze on the screen, using his finger to scroll the mouse pad. Moments later, he lifted his eyes.
“Do you know who Tyler is?” His brow creased as he cocked his head.
I continued wrapping a cord. “I believe he’s Lily’s boyfriend. She’s Jane’s best friend.” After placing the cable in a duffle bag, I grabbed another. “Why?”
“Corresponding with my info from the files I extracted, he was friends with Marco.” He set the laptop on the desk, next to the equipment. “Anddd, according to the conversations, this Tyler guy did some very very very dirtyworkfor Marco.”
“Send me all the info and pack your bags.” I placed the drone in its case then slammed it close.
“What?”
I stood up straight, folding my arms over my chest. “You're going to Hawaii.”
“Should I even ask?” Squinting ever so slightly, he attempted to read my mind.
“If Tyler had anything to do with this, I will need you there to keep an eye on things. I don't think Hawaii security will be enough.” I reached in my pocket, pulling out my wallet. Opening it, I thumbed through my credit cards, choosing one then handing it to him. “I need someone skilled, who knows my family and me inside out. Not the side I want the public to see, but the real side. Book your flight now.”
“Will you be okay here?” His hand lingered in the air, not directly taking the card from my fingers.
“Yes.” I nodded. “But now I have a bigger problem.”
Carmine took the card, pinning it between his hand and his phone. Swiping on the screen for a moment with deep concentration he moved his lips with whatever he was reading. I glanced at the laptop screen, blood boiling deep in my loins.
