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“Talk,” I barked at him, issuing a deep growl.

“Okay. He did. He forced me to. I’m sorry. I had no choice. I just made a call you were here. Nothing more.”

“Who the fuck are you talking about?”

“Drago. Drago Nozella.” Randall proceeded to sob.

I eased him down, allowing the broken man to cower against the wall while I turned my attention toward Dion. “Drago is a real pig.”

Dion laughed. We’d had a couple of squabbles with Nozella since he was Don Lupini’s Underboss, but nothing more than kids acting like bullies in a schoolyard. Still, the man was dangerous and more than a bit insane.

“Interesting. I guess Don Santorelli will soon learn the truce might be over.”

“Yeah, it might be.” I took a deep breath and held it. In a world of monsters, it was only a matter of time before the beasts came out to play in the darkness.

The time was now.

And I was looking forward to it.

CHAPTER2

Carmella

“But I don’t like the medicine,” Becky said as she clung to her teddy bear.

I’d had my fill of runny noses, bronchitis, high fevers, and even two broken bones in one day. I’d fit in more patients in ten long hours than I had in weeks. All because it was cold and flu season.

My mind drifted off to the sunny shores of Cancun just briefly, but long enough to remind me it was time to book my vacation. Not that I’d had one in three years. But this was going to be my year.

I bent down, wiggling the bear’s paw. “But you do want to feel better so you and your bear can play just like you used to. Right?”

“Clever,” the girl sniffed.

“Clever?” I repeated and stole a look at the girl’s mother, who was fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

“My bear. His name is Clever because he gets into trouble all the time but manages to convince Mommy I did it.” She started coughing again and I eased back, glancing at my nurse.

At this rate if I wasn’t very careful to continue wearing my mask, I’d be the one hacking and sniffling. I was a terrible patient. Most doctors were.

“Well, if that’s the case then I think Clever will be upset if you don’t take your medicine. He will certainly tell your mommy you haven’t been following my orders.” I wrinkled my nose on purpose, locking eyes with the rounded plastic pieces on Clever’s face.

Becky sighed and acted as if Clever was whispering in her ear. She finally nodded. “Okay. Clever said you were right and I need to take my medicine.”

“Well, then I am glad Clever could help. How about a lollypop in exchange?” I was no longer certain I was making decent sense. I was already reaching for the cannister filled with lollypops.

“Don’t forget about Clever.”

“Of course, I won’t forget about Clever.” I handed Becky two and headed toward the girl’s mother.

“Thank you so much for seeing us on short notice, Dr. Lupini. Becky refuses to see any other doctor.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment and my pleasure. Now, I’ve called in a prescription for some antibiotics and a stronger cough syrup than you can purchase on the shelves. However, don’t let the cough continue past five days. If so, come back and see me. I don’t want her cold turning into pneumonia.”

“I’ll keep a close eye. If I know my daughter, she’ll be a little cling-on during her illness.”

I laughed and peeled off the gloves, tossing them in the trash. “I have one of those. Take care.”

As I headed out, Zoe followed me. I could already see the smirk on her face. She was not only my main nurse at the clinic; she was also my best friend. As soon as I was in my office, I dropped into my way too comfy desk chair.