Aurora’s POV
My lashes fluttered open as my eyes darted around, searching the room like something was missing. Matteo’s musky scent was still fresh in the room and I remembered how he whisked me into his car in a state of frenzy.
I had to speak to my uncle and tell him how his quest to rebuild the Camorra nearly made me lose my life.
Sofia rested her head beside me but there was no trace of Giselle. I tried to raise my head from the pillow to be sure that she was around but it felt heavy, causing me to wonder if I was actually shot on my head and not my stomach.
The door from the toilet creaked open and Giselle showed in looking tired with dark patches under her eyes. Her hair was tousled roughly though it looked like she had made some efforts in straightening it.
“Gi.. Giselle..” I called and she scurried towards me as her eyes shone with relief.
“You’re finally awake,” She cried happily, “Thank goodness! I have to call Matteo now,” She chirped and reached for her phone which was in her bag. I rolled my eyes as she told Matteo that I was awake.
Her face dropped but I couldn’t tell what was the reason so I shut my eyes and waited till she was done.
“I think Matteo is busy, but I have spoken with his right-hand man and he’d have passed the message to him by now.”
“Thank you, Giselle.” I replied softly and watched her drag a chair so that she could sit beside me as Sofia did.
I scrutinised the yellowish drip which passed through the pipe and went straight to my vein and sighed. I hated being in the hospital and I hoped that I wouldn’t have to stay here for long.
“You shouldn’t have done what you did last night, Aurora. You put your life at risk and got all of us worried,”
“I know, but I couldn’t just sit idle in the car and watch someone shoot Matteo. I had to protect him,” I replied with vehemence.
“Well Matteo appreciates it but I’m not sure he will allow it to repeat itself next time. He didn’t want to leave you alone even when I came in with Sofia. I had to promise with my life that I’d protect you before he left but not without placing a battalion of guards around the hospital.” She explained with concern.
My heart swooned with love for him. Maybe he didn’t know it yet, but he cared for me deeply, not just out of duty but because I was important to him.
I wanted to tell Giselle about uncle Lorenzo, but I didn’t trust her enough to keep my secret safe. After all, she was a member of the Outfit and they all had to be loyal.
“I’ll need to pee and change my clothes. My lower abdomen hurts and I think my period is on the way,” I admitted.
She nodded and got up. “I don’t think that Matteo will be happy that I left, but I’ll try to come back on time.”
“Don’t worry about him. He won’t be able to hurt him when he knows that I’m on a sick bed,” I joked as she picked her purse and walked out of the room.
Sofia shifted slightly and continued sleeping undisturbed. Her face was peaceful and I smiled knowing that she had no problem in the world, unlike me who had several baggage weighing me down.
Her head stirred and then she woke up, rubbing her eyes as she peered at me.
“You’re awake, Aurora. Gosh! You got us all worried,” She said and hugged me in a restrained and gentle manner.
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” I laughed.
Her phone rang and she picked it up, a blush creeping over her face. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me who it was.
“Excuse me, please. This call is really important,” She giggled, skidding out of the room like a little child who had been given the freedom to play with her friends.
I sighed as there was no one to talk to and for some hours that I hadn’t seen Matteo, I missed him greatly. Then I remembered that he might be dealing with the man who shot me.
I shook my head to avoid thinking of the wicked things that he’d be doing to the man. But if Francesco had actually told him that I was awake then he’d be on his way back.
Deep voices sounded from the hallway, none of which I could identify. I listened keenly to the footsteps that headed towards my room and my heart palpitated. If another attack had been launched then I could as well say my last prayer.
Then my eyes shot open when I heard a familiar voice. I blinked incessantly to be sure that I wasn’t hallucinating because of the drugs I’d been taking.
“Let me in!”
The voice yelled vehemently and against all odds pushed my door open. A man with a receding hairline forced his way in and some other guards who were dressed in black shirts and suits from up to down rushed in with their guns lifted against his head.
A gasp escaped my lips as I stared at their expressionless faces. My eyes scanned them and they totaled up to five that came into the room with him. I knew that my uncle was an agile fighter but he couldn’t match the hefty men that surrounded him with guns.
“Don’t shoot, please. He’s my uncle,” I pleaded but my little explanation wasn’t enough to stop them from bringing down their guns.
“The Capo didn’t inform us that someone else would be coming to visit you. And he ordered us to shoot any strange visitor on sight,” One of them who seemed to be their leader said and cold chills ran down my spine.
Uncle Lorenzo scrunched his face in anger then faced him. “He knows that I’m coming so tell him that Aurora’s uncle is around and hear what he has to say.” He suggested and gripped the bedsheet hoping that he would listen.
I became calm when the man dug into the pocket of his suit and produced a phone which he placed against his ear. He stepped out of the room while I gazed at my uncle with mixed emotions.
I didn’t know if I should be happy or sad that he was here with me. But if there was anything I was sure of, his presence in New York would further complicate things for me.
His eyes were filled with worry and I couldn’t wait for the guards to leave so that I could assure him that I was fine.
The man stepped back in and I saw a flicker of disappointment on his face. Maybe he was looking forward to shooting my uncle, not like I’d allow it though. He would have to go through me first.
“He confirmed that the both of you had talked, but he said that we should keep watch so if this man disturbs you, scream.”
I nodded and sighed in relief as soon as they left.
“Uncle,” I whispered as he wrapped his arms around me.
“Don’t do that next time. I’ll have to kill him quick so that you can regain your senses,” He said in distraught as I flashed a glare at him.
“You wouldn’t dare, Uncle. This is my fight and I decide who dies.” I replied with a challenging tone.
“It’s not just your fight anymore, the Camorra is now involved so think twice before you act next time.” He cautioned me.
I opened my mouth to protest when the door pushed open again, causing me to hiss. I was already tired of people coming in and out of the room.
It was Giselle so I relaxed and smiled, “Welcome back,” I greeted.
She smiled back but it was short lived as soon as her gaze met with my uncle. The bag in her hand dropped to the floor as her lips slackened in shock.
My eyes darted from my uncle whose eyes were also widened in surprise to Giselle.
“What the hell is going on, Uncle? Is Giselle your ex?” I asked, knowing that it could be one of the major reasons the atmosphere was tense between them.
“I wish she was. That’s my younger sister, your aunt.” He announced deadpanned