Huracio
“Your wife lost a lot of blood, but everything is fine. The bullet didn’t hit any major vein, but she will need some physiotherapy due to nerve damage.”
“Nerve damage?” I frowned in worry as the doctor gave me an update after the surgery. Katalina was still unconscious and Emilia was with her.
“Yes. It’s not a major problem, but to prevent limping and weak knees, physiotherapy is highly recommended.”
“For how long?”
“It depends on the extent of the damage and her body. Until she is awake and we perform more tests, I can’t give you specifics.”
“Okay. Thanks Doc.”
I left the doctor’s office and went back to Katalina’s room in the private ward. She was still on oxygen and had a heart monitor attached to her. She looked so peaceful and pale. Emilia was seated on a large couch by one of the windows.
“Give me your phone.” I casually snapped my finger at her.
Looking puzzled, she handed me the phone. I entered Rosa’s numbers into it and handed it back to her.
“That’s Rosa’s number. She will be responsible for your meals. If you need anything at all, just call her. Okay?”
“Okay, Huracio. Thanks.”
Nodding, I went to sit by Katalina’s bed. I took her hand and started rubbing it. I had so many things to say to her, but even if she was awake, I wouldn’t know where to start.
The fear that she could bleed to death if Helena refuses to drop her had me praying to a god I didn’t believe existed. I thought I loved her enough, but knowing that I could lose her made me realise that I didn’t show her enough love. I was worried that she would never live to see how much I loved her. It was the most gut wrenching feeling I have ever had since Dante’s death.
Dante…
Salvatore’s words came rushing back. I couldn’t help but wonder if Dante would really be rolling in his grave. A myriad of emotions assaulted me. From guilt to confusion. Anger, hopelessness, and frustration assaulted my senses. Is it really wrong for me to love Katalina? If it is wrong, why does it feel so right?
Before Helena, I was with many girls. I never made a connection with any of them. There was Ane who was my slave. The things I have done with that girl are unprintable. Yet, she was just something to be used and dumped. I was with Helena for almost four years. Knowing that she was just business, I never fell for her and it was easy to just be her lover with no feelings attached.
The first time I saw Katalina, I remembered wishing I could run my hands through her lush, long hair. She had just clicked 16 and Helena was holding a birthday party for her. That was the first time I approached their family of two. I knew she was special because I have always seen women as toys. Things to be used and dumped when I am done. I easily get excited when I see beautiful women. But I also get bored easily. But when I saw Katalina, I didn’t feel any sexual attraction or excitement. I just felt like being close to her. I just wanted her to smile at me like she was smiling at her Mum and best friend. I stayed around, listening to her laughter. Her giggles were high pitched and amusing.
When I started dating Helena, I did my best to get Katalina involved in our activities, and just really liked this young, Innocent, and naive girl who sees life through a sparkling telescope. The first time I felt stirred up by her, it was because we had a double date after she started dating Kelvin. It was the first time I knew what jealousy feels like. I was constipated the whole weekend, unable to bear seeing them together. If her family wasn’t business, I would have found a way to get her in my bed all this time. But I couldn’t risk offending Helena and ruining the mission.
When Helena ran away and I decided to replace her with her daughter, it was a spur of the moment thing. It was an opportunity to get laid, but from that moment on, things slowly went out of my control. The thing is, I knew I was fucking up. I knew I was putting the mission at risk, but she felt right. No matter how I tried to talk myself out of loving her, nothing worked. The days I spent away from home became treacherous. The nights I spent outside became fewer until I completely stopped staying out late unless it was work-related. The changes she didn’t ask for, I made them just so she would be happy. I can’t even remember the last time I sniffed a stick of Cuban roll. I don’t know how to extricate myself from my feelings for her, and I also don’t know how to explain myself to Salvatore…
Griii, griii.
My phone suddenly rang, bringing me back to my senses.
“Yes, what is it?” I stood up and left the room. I walked to a balcony on the right, stood at the end of it and listened to my men as they gave reports on Helena.
After she dropped Katalina, there was no reason for us to hold back anymore. My men gave chase and were able to catch up with her. Due to excessive speeding, she ran into a luxurious bus on the interstate. The collision was fatal, causing up to six instant deaths. According to the reports I got, Helena was seriously Injured and was airlifted to a hospital.
“Find out the hospital she is going to and the cops investigating the accident.” I ordered the man on the phone.
“Yes, sir.”
“No matter what you do, don’t lose her.” I gravely reminded him. As long as we get Helena, Salvatore will be happy. Maybe he will leave Katalina and I alone.
Walking back to the room, my phone rang again. It was Salvatore. “Get your ass back to work. We need to talk. Helena has been captured. I want her here by morning.”
Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the bed, bent and kissed Katalina on the forehead.
“I will be back soon.” I whispered, wondering if she could hear me.
“Emilia, I have to leave for now. If she wakes up, you must call me immediately. Is that clear?”
“Understood.” She replied.
With Stone standing guard, I was able to leave with less worry.
Helena was taken to the City central hospital. She had broken her two thighs and some ribs.
It felt like karma.
When I arrived there, she was still in surgery, and four cops were standing guard at the theater door.
Getting her out of that hospital will be harder than I thought.