Page 38 of The Italian Reckoning (A New York Criminal Empire #3)

ROCKY

T wo days.

Two days keeping vigil by Sarah’s bed, waiting for her to open her eyes.

Two days of replaying those final moments over and over in my mind.

Seeing her sprint out into that hallway with fear shining in her eyes like beacons and blood trickling from too many wounds to count across her naked body, I felt like I’d walked into hell.

Like I was too late to save her and some apparition had appeared to taunt me.

But then she heard me.

And I tried to save her. I tried to kill that fucker and I failed.

Then she fell.

It plays in a loop in my mind as I stare at Sarah’s unconscious face until my eyes blur. Her angry yell as she leaped onto his back, their struggle back and forth and then Bobby’s fateful step backward into the elevator shaft. They plummeted out of sight, and a part of me died with them.

Only, by some insane stroke of luck, they survived. Both of them.

I would have left Bobby to rot at the bottom of that shaft and buried him under the entire fucking building, but Cormac pointed out that it wasn’t my choice. Bobby’s fate lies in Sarah’s hands. If she ever wakes up.

Tightening my grip on her limp hand, my head sags forward until my forehead rests gently against her bandaged knuckles.

While her injuries were numerous, it seems Bobby was taking his time while carving her up.

I can’t decide whether that’s a good thing or not.

I won’t know, I suppose, until Sarah wakes up and tells me.

My heart beats in rhythm with the repetitive beep coming from the machines Sarah is attached to, and I close my eyes.

I should have been faster.

I should have been better.

It also shouldn’t have taken this fucking hellish event for me to realize that what I feel for her is love. I was fighting it without realizing it because so often, affection and love are withheld or used as some sort of tool over me. By my father, especially. But Sarah?

God. If she wakes up, I will be better for her.

I will be whatever she wants me to be, whatever she needs.

I’ll never let her down again.

“Rocky?”

Her voice rings through my mind like a bell, and my chest squeezes like a hand has reached in and grabbed my heart in its fist. To hear her voice again for real would be more than I can bear, but I will pay any doctor and pray to any deity to get them to bring her back to me.

“Rocky?”

Wait—

My head snaps up like a bullet, and Sarah’s foggy yet gorgeous eyes blink slowly. “Sarah!” Surging up over her, I keep her hand clasped in my own while my other gently cups her bruised face. “Sarah?”

“Rocky.” She blinks and as the fogginess fades from her eyes, a small smile twitches across her lips. “You… you’re really here? Really?”

“Oh, my God, you’re awake!” Tears flood my eyes faster than I can control them and it takes all my restraint not to kiss her.

Given what she’s been through, I’m already pushing my luck by touching her.

“I’m sorry, Sarah. I’m so fucking sorry.

I should have been there for you, I never should have left you alone. I’m so fucking sorry!”

“I’m…” Her eyes close briefly and she frowns when they reopen. “I’m okay?”

“Yes! You’re safe, Sarah. You’re safe. We’re in the hospital and I’m right here. You’re safe. You’re safe, I swear.”

Her eyes shine with tears and a weak sob escapes her lips, then both arms wrap around my neck and she pulls me as close as she can from this angle. Given that she’s reaching for me, I lean into it and hug her as tightly as I dare. Maybe a bit tighter.

“You’re safe.” I repeat it over and over while Sarah breaks down and sobs brokenly in my arms. She refuses to let me go, grabbing into my shirt and clinging to me as tightly as she can, so I move myself onto the bed and gather her into my arms as close as I can around all the lines and wires hooking her up to the machines in her room.

Over and over, I assure her that she’s safe.

She cries hard and loudly, wailing against my shoulder and trembling like she’s about to shake apart into pieces in front of me. So I hold her tighter.

She cries it all out, still refusing to let go of me, and eventually, she starts to calm. Her forehead rests against my neck with her head resting on my shoulder. She clings as close as she can, and I cradle her against me, then lightly kiss the top of her head.

“I’m sorry,” Sarah croaks, making my head snap back.

“What? What for?”

“I just—I didn’t even check. Before I got on the bike. I should have known.”

“No,” I say firmly, cradling her face with my hand and tilting her head up to look me in the eye.

“That bastard knew what he was doing. He’d been making himself friendly with one of our perimeter guards for a few weeks.

When they ordered coffee, he delivered it and snuck in, stole my bike.

He planned this, Sarah. He knew exactly how to get to you and, seemingly, knew we were close. ”

“How did I not know? I saw him nearly every day. I talked to him, befriended him, and it never triggered anything. And now…” Her eyes close and she shakes her head while tears leak down her cheeks.

“No, we’re not going to do that. You’re not blaming yourself. Your mind buried things to protect you and he preyed on that. It isn’t your fault. Do you hear me?”

She nods, but I nudge her cheek lightly until she opens her eyes.

“Say it.”

“It’s not my fault,” she whispers.

“Again.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“That’s my girl.” I know it won’t sink in, not really. Only time can heal that wound. But I will remind her of it every day for the rest of her life. “You’re alive. And you’re safe, Sarah. No one’s going to hurt you ever again.”

“Why… why can’t I feel anything?”

“They have you on some pretty strong painkillers,” I reply softly. “Your wounds aren’t deep but numerous, and when you fell, you took a nasty blow to the back of the head. But you’re going to be okay. The decider was whether or not you woke up and I was… I was so terrified you weren’t going to.”

“How long?”

“Couple of days.”

“Shit.”

“But don’t you worry. I’ve been taking care of everything. Domenico is taking care of Iris. I’ve been here. You’re going to be okay, although I should probably get a doctor now that you’re awake.” Although the idea of leaving her even for a second is almost too much to bear.

“Wait…” Sarah moves her hand up to my collar and pulls me closer, pressing a fleeting kiss to my lips.

My heart aches with the want for more, to kiss her all over and remove that bastard’s touch from her body for the final time.

“Is he dead?” Her eyes lock onto mine.

I shake my head. “He survived the fall. I will take you to him when you’re ready.”

“Fuck that,” she croaks with surprising strength. “I’ve waited long enough for that fucker. I need to end this.”

——

Sarah’s determination to get out of the hospital and put Bobby in the ground is halted by the doctors.

Her condition still needs monitoring, particularly after her fall and the blow to the back of her head, so she remains bedridden for a few more days.

As much as I want her to get her revenge, I’m relieved when she listens to the doctor’s advice and remains in the hospital.

Each test brings her closer and closer to freedom, but the effects of Bobby’s attack are showing as clear as day.

She flinches every time the doctors touch her.

Her eyes repeatedly dart to the door at the slightest hint of noise.

She cuts the medical bracelet from her wrist and refuses to keep the oxygen tube near her nose because it’s too close to her mouth.

She reaches for my hand often, but I don’t miss the tiny jolts that move through her each time I shift or I make an unexpected sound.

But I’m learning quickly. I will be as soft as she needs me to be, and I will be with her every step of her recovery.

When the doctor finally gives Sarah the all clear to leave the hospital with promises to return for regular dressing changes on her stomach and thighs, she slides from the bed and looks me dead in the eye.

“Take me to him.”

I obey because I’m powerless to say no to her and this is what she needs. Bobby is her demon and she is the one who deserves to deal with him.

“Has he been here since the fall?” Sarah asks as we walk through a garage not far from my estate while leaning on my arm.

“Yup. We brought him here after Cormac persuaded me not to kill him on the spot.” I’m still sour about it but in the long run, it was the best decision. “No treatment, either, other than making sure he stays alive.”

“Has he said anything?”

I shake my head. “He hasn’t really had the chance.”

Sarah’s head tilts as she looks at me. “Why?”

“You’ll see.” At the end of the garage is a red door which creaks as I push it open.

Inside, Bobby hangs naked by his wrists from a length of rope.

His body is covered in an array of open, weeping wounds and bruises.

One leg is badly broken from his fall down the elevator shaft and several broken ribs protrude from his chest. His hair is matted to his skull with blood and the remnants of gasoline, but despite his terrible appearance, he manages a grin when he lifts his head and spots Sarah.

“Well, the bitch finally woke up, huh?” he rasps.

Sarah’s grip on my hand becomes painful and her breath catches audibly in her throat. She stares at him with wide eyes, so I step forward first and angle my body between him and her.

“What do you want to do?”

“H–How do you mean?” She looks at me with wide eyes.

“You wanna arrest him? Take him in, do it by the book as you said?”

Her eyes move past me to Bobby as he wheezes and gasps. This is what she wanted, after all. She wanted to arrest the fucker and put him behind bars, make him suffer for the rest of his life, and Bobby certainly deserves it.

While fear burns in her eyes, there’s something else there too. A determination.

“No,” Sarah says after a moment. “That won’t make me feel better. Someone like him doesn’t deserve to be safe behind bars.”

“Look at you,” I tease gently. “You little rule breaker.”

“Gonna arrest me?” Bobby slurs loudly. “Come on, bitch. Drag me in front of your captain and see what happens. Do you think any of this stands up in court? I’m gonna be out within the week!

I got friends, see? You weren’t the only cop that came drinking there.

I made friends. So everywhere you go, I’ll be there.

Cause I’m in your life, Sarah. I always will be. ”

I wrestle with the overwhelming urge to pulverize his already beaten face just to get him to shut up and have to bite my own tongue so as not to lose out to that urge.

“No,” Sarah says softly. She lets go of my hand and moves past me. “I’m not scared of you anymore.”

“Bullshit,” Bobby spits. “I can see you fucking shaking from here.”

“Sure, my body remembers things. Sure, I’ll have nightmares about the twisted shit you put me through.

Maybe I’ll struggle to cope with the touch of someone I care about, or loud noises, or things around my face.

But you know what? I’ll overcome them. I’ll listen to myself and I’ll learn because I know I’m not scared of you.

You’re just a sad, pathetic excuse of a man and now that I see you, that I really see you, I realize that only one thing is going to happen. ”

“And what’s that?”

“No one will remember you. No one will miss you. No one will even think about you because you see, in case you missed it, my boyfriend is in the Mafia and they excel at making people disappear.”

Boyfriend ?

It’s difficult not to be distracted by such a word and my attention slips from Bobby to Sarah. She is shaking, but her head is held high even as she fiddles with the bandage around her injured thumb.

“So you did all of this, and for what? I’m here and you’re there. I win.”

“No,” Bobby snarls. “You’ll remember me. You’ll never forget me!”

She breathes deeply, lifting her shoulders, and then she shakes her head. “I’ve already started.” Sarah turns to face me. “He should die, but I don’t know if it should be me. What about Gio?”

I smirk coldly. “Who do you think beat him up this much?”

Sarah’s brow darts upward. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Gio’s had his revenge. So he’s all yours, sweetheart.”

Her cheeks pink up slightly and she nods while holding out her hand. “Can I have your gun?”

I pass it over without a word. Sarah turns back to Bobby and walks closer. “I thought about making you suffer. About putting you through everything you put me through, and it was so tempting.”

“Go on, then,” Bobby taunts. “Fucking do it.”

“No,” she says firmly. “You don’t deserve any more of my time.”

As Bobby’s lips part for a retort, Sarah lifts the gun and shoots him straight between the eyes. The silence afterward is eerie, but I refuse to move or speak until Sarah does. She’s silent and unmoving, clearly processing.

When she turns to face me and hands the gun back, her eyes are shining with unshed tears. “It’s over.”

“Yeah,” I say softly, holstering my weapon. “It is. You got him.”

“I wish I got him sooner.”

“Hey.” Taking her hand, I gently thread out fingers together. “I wish I got him sooner. But he’s gone now. He can’t hurt anyone ever again.”

“I never said thank you.”

“For?”

“For coming for me,” Sarah whispers. “You were there. You came for me and you found me.”

“I’ll always come find you,” I swear softly. “I promise. That’s what a boyfriend does, right?”

“I actually believe you. Y’know, anyone would think you have a crush on me.” A watery smile finally spreads across her lips. “I like it.”

“So does this mean I get to say I told you so?” I ask, guiding her out of the room and leaving Bobby to rot.

“About?”

“My way clearly won.” It’s hard to keep the playful smile to a minimum. “Your way was rules and evidence, a trial and jury. My way is… well, exactly that.”

Sarah breaks off into soft giggles and shoves me lightly with her shoulders. “Fuck off.”

“But I win, right?” Squeezing her hand, I bring her knuckles to my lips. “I totally win.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“I totally win.”

“Whatever. So…” Sarah hesitates as we exit the garage and the warm afternoon sun bakes down on us. “What do we do now?”

I gaze down at her beautiful face and squeeze her hand. “Whatever the hell we want to.”