Page 14 of Forgetting the Enemy
“Our family doctor is with her now. We’re taking her to the hospital as a Jane Doe for a CT on her head. I’ll let you know what we find out.”
“No way, Michael. I’m going to that hospital and then I’m taking my sister home.”
“Vince, don’t test me. We had an agreement, you and me. An agreement that you have conveniently forgotten,” I reply.
“This isn’t part of the agreement. My sister is hurt. Unconscious. I need to see her. You’re being unfair, Michael, and it’s not like you.”
“I’m not being unfair, but I am taking advantage of the situation at hand. Your sister is getting the best possible care. I swear to you I won’t let anything happen to her. Why the fuck would I? I’ve got a vested interest in this as well.”
“Then why are you keeping me from her?”
“Vince, you promised me time. Fate handed this to us, and now I’m taking my time.”
“You can’t do this! The Bonitas will—”
“The Bonitas will do nothing,” I say, cutting him off. “The Bonitas are now a part of the Vitali family, and as underboss of the Vitali family, I say she stays here.”
“But, Michael—”
“Vince, don’t fucking push me. I told you I won’t do anything to harm her, and once I get a prognosis, you will be the first to know. I’m not trying to be a dick here. I’m taking what was promised and now owed to me.”
He’s silent on the line, and if it weren’t for the sound of his breathing, I’d think he hung up. But even Vince Bonita knows not to hang up on me.
“Vince, she’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. You have my word.”
“Fine, Michael, but if one hair is out of place on her head or if she is hurt in any way, I’ll come after the Vitalis with everything I got.”
“Vince, all I’m asking is for you to trust me. You came to me because you trusted me to make this hit on your old man. Now trust me to do right by your sister. Can you do that?”
“Do I have a choice?” he asks.
“Not really,” I reply. I see Dr. Siegel step out into the hall. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”
Disconnecting the line, I look up at the doctor and ask, “Any change?”
“No, I’m afraid not, but the hospital transport should be here in a few minutes.”
“Good.” I head downstairs to let my father know the ambulance is coming for Zaira.
Thirty minutes later, I see the ambulance driving down our driveway and off the compound. Watching them pull away, I begin to fear for Zaira’s safety. After grabbing my leather jacket and keys, I walk out the front door and head for the garage. I mount my Harley and rev the engine. I call Dr. Siegel to inform him I’m coming to the hospital and that I would see him soon.
“Michael, the family is on lockdown,” Ricco says as he puts his hand on the handlebars of my bike.
My glare indicates I am not concerned about the lockdown and that I need to leave, now. He doesn’t relent. Ricco “Gunner” Rizzi is one of my father’s soldiers, my personal bodyguard, and my best friend. He’s a good man, and I know he is only doing his job.
“Ricco, you’re not going to stop me. So you either let me go or continue to do your job and come with me. The choice is yours.”
He shakes his head. “Fuck, Michael! You leave me no choice.” He pauses, and as he mounts the Harley parked next to mine, he asks, “You armed?”
I look at him and nod. “Of course.”
Yelling over the rumbling sound of both bikes, he says, “Where we going?”
“University Hospital,” I say as I pull out, Ricco following close behind.
