Page 32 of Fixate (Devious Mafia Daddies #2)

The look he gave me spoke volumes. It was one Daddy recognizing another in the wild and being willing to help. It shook loose the last of my frustration.

“Thank you, Doctor. I’ll do that. One last question: How long do you think until he wakes up?”

He shrugged. “It shouldn’t be too long, really. Though until we get the toxicology report on what was in the knife back, I can’t be sure. Hours is my most likely answer, though it could be a full day depending on his body’s reaction.”

I bit back a curse as I gave him a sharp nod. “Thank you. I appreciate your help with everything.”

His smile was kind. “I’d want someone to do the same for my Little if the roles were reversed.”

Little?

Ah, it made even more sense. He wasn’t just a Daddy; he was Daddy to a little. Which meant he had the patience of a saint and knew how to handle a temper tantrum.

He left me standing there, hands on my hips as I tried to decide what the next step should be.

While I desperately wanted to go hunting for the men who caused this, I couldn’t picture leaving him here alone.

And sending Pip would be a disaster. He was already hyped up on adrenaline.

He’d set fire to the first suspect before asking questions.

Whether he admitted it or not, he was fond of my boy. They got along well enough, and the fact that he never made eyes at a certain someone gave him some credit in Pip’s world.

My friend wasn’t ready to admit his feelings there, but it more than showed in the way he gave people his murderous gaze anytime they looked towards the apple of his eyes.

Speaking of which, Pip sauntered down the hall with a grin. “Sorry it took so long. Henri called for a status update, then tried to bite my head off when I didn’t have much to say. He’s extra feisty right now.”

Point proven.

“I imagine he’s balancing a lot all at once. There isn’t anyone else I trust enough to help him. Ricardo was the only other one besides us.” I waved my hands between us.

He nodded. “Makes sense. I don’t trust all those fuckers either. We’ll need to do some cleanup work on the straight side too, won’t we?”

I raised my brow at that. He’d never shown interest in playing both sides. If anything, I didn’t think he cared all that much.

“Ah, don’t give me that look. I don’t want to be the face of things. It’s best if I’m a background guy. But yeah, I want to help. We’re like our own sort of fucked up family, right?”

Chuckling at his description, I nodded. “Yeah, we will, Pip. Things are going to get busy again. Just when I thought we were going to catch a break.”

“There are no breaks in this business. You have to enjoy every moment, even the bloody ones.”

I grinned. “Yeah, I bet that’s your life motto, huh? I’m still not sure what to do about our problem.”

Since everyone around us was so oblivious, it was fine that we discussed business. Plus, there wasn’t anyone close who would likely repeat what we said. They were all far too miserable to care.

“How about you stick around until Ricardo wakes up? I’ll get some of the men mobilized to see if they can get info on who caused this. Henri can get me access to the security footage too. Rather than go hunting alone, I can close the lead they’ve got on us.”

I was shocked at how easily he adapted to what we needed done. “That’s a good plan, Pip.”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I fucking pay attention, Boss.”

At his growl, I raised my hands and gave him an innocent smile. “I know you do. Why do you think I trust you so much? People have said I’m crazy to let you back me up. They figure someone could buy you out enough to turn on me.”

“Wouldn’t ever happen,” he grunted.

“Of course it wouldn’t. You and me, Pip, we understand one another. I let you have your fun, and you have my back. It works for us.”

“Yeah, it does. Now enough sentimental shit. Get yourself together for your boy. I’m going to see what I can get done in the meantime.”

He jogged out of the emergency room, leaving me with a cup of coffee I was too nervous to enjoy and chaotic thoughts on what the future was going to look like.

A nurse saved me from myself by telling me she would help me to Ricardo’s room.

Apparently it was all ready after Dr. LaFleur put him on a fast track to get his own space.

I’d have to donate to that man’s favorite charity or some shit.

Maybe he’d even want to bring his boy around to hang with mine someday.

Ricardo might not have been Little, though I suspected he’d do well with one.

His protective instincts would have him acting more like a big brother than anything, which would work well in a play setting.

Yeah, that was a great idea.

It took a few hours for Ricardo to wake up. While I waited, I split my time between watching him rest, calling my men to check in, and planning a wedding he hadn’t even agreed to yet. What could I say? I liked having things in order once I knew what I wanted.

Plus, I figured my boy would appreciate the order and structure I had in mind for our ceremony. It would be simple, with only those closest to us there. We’d have Dante and Preacher come out, of course. Maybe even Dr. LaFleur and his boy if they could handle the mafia lifestyle.

There wouldn’t be anything too flowery, since Ricardo didn’t care all that much for it. He always scoffed at the arrangements around the casino. Instead, we’d have an array of food fit for a king.

For my king.

Because despite my role in La Famiglia , Ricardo was still my king, my equal. We’d rule this city together, no matter what it took.

“Daddy,” he whispered before his eyes ever truly opened.

I was out of my chair and hovering over him in an instant. “Mon chou,” I said with a broken sigh. “I’m here. It’s ok. You’re safe now.”

He smiled. “I knew you’d get to me.”

“Technically, Pip found you first. He helped me get you to the hospital.”

A groan tore from his chest. “Oh, no. He’s going to be a menace about this.”

I laughed as I nodded. He’d managed to squint a bit, which reminded me the lights were all the way up. After adjusting them, he had a much easier time looking at me.

“Hey there,” I said softly.

He smiled. “Hey, Daddy. I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“No, mon chou. You didn’t do anything. Someone else hurt you. They thought?—”

My voice cut out as I choked on a sob. Ricardo’s eyes went wide as he reached up to touch my cheek.

“It’s ok, Daddy. I’m here. It’s fine.”

I shook my head as I pushed myself to confess my feelings.

“It’s not that. I know you’re here. The doctor has been honest and thorough with your care.

It’s just… someone tried to take you from me.

They understood just how much losing you would affect me.

I almost couldn’t contain my anger when I first saw you. ”

His thumb stroked my jaw. “But you did?”

“I did. Pip helped me navigate getting the paramedics in. Henri and Dario stepped in to coordinate the casino’s issues. I have no clue how, but Pip also managed to disable the bomb. He thinks he might be able to figure out who made it. That will help us find who did this to you.”

He yawned wide, his eyes blinking a few times like he couldn’t imagine staying awake a second longer. I kissed his forehead, then fluffed his pillow.

“Get some more rest, mon chou. I’ll be here when you wake up again. The rest of us are doing the work right now. All you have to worry about is healing. Understand?”

“Yes, Daddy,” he whispered a second before his eyes shut.

Closing my eyes, I gripped his hand between mine and dipped my head. I wasn’t a praying man, yet I found myself reciting passages I’d thought I’d forgotten. I sent up promises to a man I didn’t believe in for the off chance hope he might answer them anyway should I actually be wrong.

I’d do anything if it meant getting to keep Ricardo in my life forever.