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“All I ever wanted for you was for you to be happy, Carmella. You were my baby girl, your mother’s pride and joy. She begged me to take care of you, to keep you from harm’s way. Believe it or not, that’s all I tried to do. Was I a good father? Obviously since you hate me so much, I realize I failed, but I do love you. I’m sorry you hate me, but I do understand.”

Guilt smashed into my system. I’d been so full of fire, but now? Now I regretted almost every word I’d said. Almost. “I don’t hate you, Dad. I just need you to understand and accept I’m a grown woman who can make choices all on her own.”

“You really care about Alejandro?”

I laughed and I wasn’t certain if I was doing so based on nerves or an outward admittance. “I do. He’s… loving and thoughtful, funny yet bold and powerful when necessary. He allows me to be myself and most important, he cares about Gabriel. He’s my prince when I didn’t know I was looking for one.”

He chuckled as he’d done so many times in my life. “Then by all means you have my blessing. And my respect. I have every intention of honoring Luis Santorelli’s directive. The alliance will continue. We have an enemy to capture together.”

“Yes, I guess you do.”

Conversations with my father were always awkward, but more so today. For once, it seemed as if he’d listened and he’d heard me.

Good.

God help him if he went against my wishes.

CHAPTER32

Alejandro

Presbyterian Hospital was a small, private facility located just outside Brooklyn. I found it easily enough, parking in a space in the back of the garage. I’d told no one where I was going, insisting Gio check on two of our locations prior to heading to the meeting. He’d been none too happy, his grumbling continuing as he’d driven away.

This was something I had to do on my own.

My weapon was concealed, but easily accessible. This could be a setup, luring me in for capture. I’d been careful, watching the building and anyone driving up to the facility for almost thirty minutes before pulling into the garage.

If there were agents, they were hiding better than they normally did. With no armed guards or any suspicious people lingering in the entrance, I headed for the elevators. Only to take a sharp detour and take the stairs instead.

As soon as I opened the door, I prepared myself for several federal agents. There were people in the corridor, but no one who I believed was there to apprehend me.

But I remained cautious as I approached the room.

When I walked inside, I was shocked to see the nurse hadn’t lied to me. Louis was still alive, although his arms, chest, and neck were covered in gauze. He’d obviously been in a fire or an explosion. I checked the tiny bathroom, finding no one.

I moved closer, peering down at him and shaking my head. He was hooked up to various machines, but seemed to be breathing normally.

After a few seconds, he seemed to sense my presence and opened his eyes.

“You came,” he said. His voice was scratchy, somewhat breathless, but stronger than I would have suspected.

“I figured I had no choice. I thought you were dead.”

“I’m sure I will be soon.”

“Who did this?”

“I don’t know for certain. I didn’t see their faces. There were three of them.” He took a gasping breath and I was certain he wasn’t going to make it through the night. “But I can guess.”

“Rogue agents.”

“Yes. Working with… someone. That’s what I was trying to discover. I think there are at least two more.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I’m no fool, Alejandro. I keep records.”

My ears perked up.