Page 44 of Doll's Eye

“Out. He’s going to meet me at the hospital.”

“Call him and tell him not to come.”

“Santino—”

“Now, Alessia,” he clips, and I know to always listen when he speaks.

“Yeah,” he answers after the first ring.

“Don’t come to the hospital.”

“I heard what happened.” The tone in his voice is not at all reassuring.

“Well, I haven’t yet.” I swallow hard.

“It wasn’t me, Alessia. You have to know that. And I will find out who did it. I swear to you I will.” The dark timbre has a beseeching underlining, and I have yet to learn why.

My heart is now pounding in my ears. “I’ll call you later.”

“Start talking,” I say as soon as I hang up.

It’s Paolo who speaks up. “Mamma andBabbowere in an accident.”

“What kind of accident?” My stomach immediately binds up, and I twist my neck to look between them.

“Car accident,” Paolo says, which doesn’t make sense. Why would Massimo say it wasn’t him, and he’ll find out who it was? That must mean… “It was a hit,” Paola confirms my fear, and I nod my head as I try to hold it together. Already everything inside of me wants to either burn up or crumble.

Santino grabs my hand and glances over at me, looking a little pale. “Babbodidn’t make it, Alessia.” Everything around me tilts, and I place my hand on the door to steady myself as my heart dissolves to the pit of my stomach. I might either puke or pass out from the instant pain it brings me.Babbodidn’t make it, meaning he’sdead. “And Mamma is in an induced coma.”

Silently, I nod my head again and face forward. Watching the world go by in a blur and putting myself into a safe place. One where no one can reach me. Right now, I have to be strong. I cannot fall apart just yet. “Gemma?”

“She’s on her way to the jet right now,” Paolo murmurs.

When I try swallowing, my throat aches. “You think it was the De Luca’s,” I say quietly, praying I’m wrong.

“We have suspicions,” Santino says.

I deflate into my seat with lamentation.Babbo…The thought of Massimo having anything to do with the hit on my parents is something that will kill me, so I don’t argue with them or ask any more questions. Hospital first, accusations later. Pushing allthoughts of Massimo to the back of my mind, I cling to Santino’s hand as we race the rest of the way to the hospital in silence.

One of our foot soldiers is waiting out front of the hospital to move the car for us as we jump out and run inside the building. The woman at the front desk knew we were coming as her eyes widen, and she rattles off the floor and room number.

Instead of taking the elevator to the next floor, Santino barges through the heavy door to the stairwell, and we take the steps two at a time. Santino, being a foot taller than me, ends up ahead of us as Paolo keeps pace with me out of chivalry.

It’s not hard to find where we’re supposed to be as we easily spot the group of large and menacing looking men standing at the end of the hallway. Tullio pacing, and Armando wiping at his reddened face. They both snap to attention as they see us running to them.

Armando takes me in his arms first, and his body shakes as he cries against me. I squeeze my eyes shut and don’t let myself go. Not yet. If I break down now, I won’t be able to keep it together for Gemma.

.“Alessia. You remember what your name means?”

“Yes. Defender. And Gemma’s means precious stone.”

I’m my sister’s defender. Have been since day one, and I will be until my last dying breath. I’ll makeBabboproud. Live up to the name that he picked out himself.

When we break apart, I reach up and dry Armando’s tears, and he closes his eyes. “Babbotold us it was our job to keep you girls safe.” When he opens his eyes again, they’re hardened in anger. “I’ll never let anything happen to you and Gemma.”

I give him a sad smile. “I know, Mando.”

Tullio comes over to me and brings me in against his chest for a crushing embrace. His hug is stiff and not as warm as usual, but it’s strong, giving me much-needed strength. “I’m so sorry, Alessia. I’m so sorry.”