“Here, drink this.”
Something danced against my lips, and I parted them. I focused long enough to realize a straw sat against my tongue, and the clear, crisp smell of cold water pulled me from my trance. My hands trembled as I started sipping, then gulping. Then, chugging until the cup was empty.
“More,” I croaked.
“Give me a second.”
The female voice sounded familiar, and it wasn’t until I finally turned my head that I realized who it was. Ash was in the room with me. There was a chair sitting next to the bed I laid against, and as all of the white in the room finally came into focus, I figured out where I was.
“Why am I in the—?”
Ash put the straw back into my mouth. “Drink, I know you’re parched. We’ll talk once you’re done.”
I gulped down the water and studied as much of the room as I could. On her chair sat a romance novel, fanned out on the page she didn’t want to lose. There was a brace around my neck that felt like it was trying to choke me. Like Israel’s arm as he had guided me out to his car.
Where’s Israel?
Ash removed the straw from my mouth. “Here, you got some dribble.” She wiped her knuckles against my cheek as my eyes fell closed again.
“What happened?” I asked.
“You got into a pretty rough car accident.”
“An accident?”
“Mhm. A truck sped into the intersection and T-boned your car.”
I paused. “Gary. Where’s—where’s Gary?”
“Your driver?”
My eyes opened. “Where is he?”
Ash’s face fell. “He, uh… he’s still unconscious. In the ICU.”
My lower lip trembled. “I don’t remember a thing.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “And you probably won’t. You’re on a great deal of pain medication right now. I’m shocked you were able to put together where you are so quickly.”
“Did something happen to my neck?”
She picked up her book. “Your neck is braced for cautionary purposes.”
“Where’s Israel?”
She sat down. “Haven’t seen him since we got to the hospital.”
“But—but he’s okay? He’s not hurt or anything?”
“Nope. He stayed safe while pulling you from the wreckage.”
I paused. “He what?”
She closed her book. “You’re lucky to be alive, Miss Bonnie. Your car rolled four times before being pinned to the side of a corner store boutique. Your neck is sprained, and your left knee-cap was dislocated. You’ll have to walk with crutches once your wrist heals.”
“My wrist?”
“Mhm. You broke your wrist along with your thumb and pinky finger on your left hand.”
I sighed. “At least it’s not my dominant hand.”
“But, other than that, you only came away with some bumps and bruises. You’re the luckiest woman I’ve ever met, Miss Bonnie. And that’s a fact.”
I pushed down the covers. “I have to get out of here. I have too much to do.”
Then, his voice hit my ears. “What you need to do is stay put and take it easy.”
My eyes gravitated over to the door, and I saw him standing there—his hair ruffled and disheveled, his shirt unbuttoned down his chest, his hands shoved into his pockets. And his eyes, they were fraught with fury.
“Israel. You’re here.”
He stepped into the room. “Where else would I be?”
I blinked. “I don’t know.”
Ash stood up. “Here, Mr. Rossi. Please, sit.”
He took the chair Ash was sitting in while she came around to my other side. She pulled up a chair, cracked open her book, and buried her nose back into it. She was listening, though. And that was all right with me.
Because as far as I was concerned, my new head bodyguard needed to know the ins and outs of what happened with this accident.
“It was my uncle, wasn't it?” I asked.
Israel took my hand. “Yes. The logo on the truck belongs to one of the very first businesses Pava usurped around here.”
I furrowed my brow. “Tanker’s Hauling?”
“No. PetShop Galore.”
I blinked. “The pet grooming place? Are you serious?”
“That was the logo on the truck, yes. It tore right through the intersection and T-boned your car. He was gunning for you, and I’m willing to bet my life on the fact that it’s because of your uncle.”
“Wait, you saw the accident?”
His eye twitched. “I did.”
“Israel, I—”
He leaned forward. “You apologize too much. Stop that.”
Ash piped up, “He’s right. Looks weak.”
I snickered. “Thanks, you two.”
Israel nodded. “Who’s that?”
Ash flipped a page. “You could just ask.”
I lowered my voice. “Her name is Ash. She’s the only one discarding her loyalties to my uncle in order to help me out.”
He nodded. “Well, in that case, welcome.”
Ash nodded. “Mhm.”
I squeezed Israel’s hand. “I hate that you had to witness that, though.”
“I’m glad I did, Bonnie. Had I not been there to pull you out, the explosion would’ve killed you.”
“Explosion?”
Ash murmured, “Didn’t get that far.”
I furrowed my brow. “What’s going on?”
Israel cleared his throat. “I was able to pull you and Gary over to the other corner before the car exploded. When the truck T-boned you both, it tumbled for a while. A shard of metal or glass must’ve severed the gas line because all I smelled was gasoline as I tried to dig you guys out. I hardly got Gary onto the ground beside you before the damn thing exploded.”
“My God.”
“Pava isn’t getting away with this. You have my word, all right?”
I nodded softly. “I know. I know I do.”
I should’ve felt bad. I should’ve called Israel out on killing the man I had a right to first. But, I was too angry to think about anything else. If my uncle thought he could come at me like that from jail, of all places, then he had another thing coming.
Hell, I’d completely dismantle his organization just to watch him rage behind a set of iron bars.
“You’re shaking, Bonnie. Take deep breaths,” Israel said.
“I’m furious,” I hissed.
Ash took my other hand. “Settle down, Miss Bonnie. Your heart rate is skyrocketing.”
I gnashed my teeth together. “If that man thinks he’s going to escape his trial soon, he’s got another thing coming. If he thinks, for one second, that he can intimidate me from a holding cell, I’m about to show him exactly how much information I soaked up while he raised me.”
Israel patted my hand. “I understand exactly how you feel, and you have every right to feel it.”
Ash leaned forward. “But if you don’t settle down, this doctor is going to come in here and knock you back out like he did last time.”
I paused. “He knocked me out?”
Ash nodded. “Because you woke up in a tizzy and your heart rate blew through the roof. Take some breaths and settle down.”
I drew in broken breaths through my nose as the beeping of the machine escalated. I tried to get my anger under control, but it was hard. I wanted to dig my uncle’s eyeballs out with a spoon. I wanted to hang him by his intestines. I wanted to pull all his teeth out of his skull and send one to every insubordinate little bitch in his organization that dared to turn their back on me to stay loyal to that murderous creep.
“Bonnie, if you don’t settle down, I’ll knock you out myself,” Israel murmured.
I slowly looked over at him. “Don’t threaten me with a good time and expect my heart rate to stay still.”
He grinned. “For me, Bonnie. Please.”
His words warmed my heart as the beeping of the machine slowly came down out of the clouds. He g
ripped my hand tightly as he gazed into my eyes, and there was something about his stoic stare that felt like home. My forehead leaned against his. Ash propped her feet up onto the edge of my hospital bed as pages began flipping again. I let my eyes fall closed as my heart rate returned to normal before Israel pressed a small kiss to my forehead.
“We’ll get you better in a snap. I promise,” he whispered.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I murmured.
“Miss Moretti?” the unfamiliar voice pierced the moment, and I wanted to strangle whoever it was.
But, the second I looked over and saw a cop standing in the doorway, my mouth sealed itself shut. I looked over at Ash, and she put away her book, her back straightening for our company. And when I looked over at Israel, he slowly leaned back against his chair with his eyes dropping cement walls over his face in an instant.
“What can we do for you, Officer?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Well, I was hoping to speak to the victim of the car accident that took place last night. Can I come in?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
He came to stand at the foot of my bed as Ash stood from her chair, clasping her hands around her back. Which I’d quickly come to understand was her way of communicating the fact that she was ready to work.
“All right. What would you like to know?” I asked.
Israel spoke, “You don’t have to speak to him without a lawyer, you know?”
The officer cast him a knowing look, and it gave me more information to work with.
“I know, Israel. And thank you. Now, Officer, what can I help you with?” I asked.
He cleared his throat. “Mind if I record this conversation?”
“Yes,” Israel said.
I held up my hand. “No, sir. I don’t.”
Ash gave me a weird look but didn’t say anything as the officer dug out the recording device.
“Thanks. Wasn’t sure you’d go for that,” he said.
I nodded. “Whatever it is you have to ask me, I’ll try to help to the best of my ability.”
Ash interjected, “She doesn't remember much, though.”
Israel nodded. “And she needs her rest.”
I held up my hand. “Officer? You can begin anytime.”
He snickered. “Times are changing, I guess.”
Israel snapped, “What does that mean?”
I tossed him a look. “It’s okay, really.”
He sighed. “All right. But, I’ll be here if you need me.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
The officer cleared his throat. “Start by telling me what you remember about the accident.”
I shrugged. “That’s the thing. I don’t remember much of it.”
“Well, just tell me what you remember.”
I clicked my tongue. “I mean, I went out to a bar to get a drink. I met with Israel—”
“Why were you meeting Mr. Rossi?”
I smiled. “Not relevant to this case, Officer.”
His eyes held mine. “All right. Continue, Miss Moretti.”
“With pleasure. I got a drink, I met up with Israel, then I decided to go home. After that, it gets fuzzy.”
“Do you remember bits and pieces?”
I shook my head slowly. “I remember Gary telling me to get down.”
“Who’s Gary?”
“My driver. I do remember him yelling at me to get down. But, after that, it’s darkness. I mean, until I woke up a few minutes ago.”
“Miss Moretti, do you have any idea who might want to harm you in any way?”
I scoffed. “Is that a legitimate question?”
“It is, yes.”
I rolled my eyes. “My uncle is currently on trial, and he’s angry at everyone around him right now.”
“Rumor on the streets say you’ve taken over the Moretti family. Maybe he’s not happy about that?”
I shrugged. “Not sure what rumors you’ve been listening to, but they aren’t true. They haven’t been my family for a while now.”
“Care to expound on why?”
“Not particularly. It’s not necessary for this case.”
“It sounds necessary.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what else to tell you. My uncle has never liked the fact that he had to take me in after my parents died. And now that he’s being tried for murdering them, he probably thinks I’m the one behind the case. So, he’s trying to kill me before someone uncovers what really happened to my family the night they died.”
Israel jumped in, “Officers involved with his case have a recording of him admitting that he wanted Bonnie killed that night as well. My gut is telling me he’s trying to finish the job he didn’t complete.”
The officer nodded slowly. “You say this is on recording?”
Israel nodded. “It is. I can get you the number of the officer and lawyer handling the case on my behalf.”
The officer paused. “Your behalf?”
“Right.”
“Not her behalf?”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever information you need about the accident from that night as it pertains to what’s going on now can be offered to you by that lawyer and the officer working that case. Do you have any other questions regarding last night?”
The officer looked over at Ash. “What do you remember about it?”
Ash shrugged. “Wasn’t there last night. I didn’t get here until around two in the morning.”
The officer looked at Israel. “I take it you didn’t see much, either?”
Israel shook his head. “I didn’t see Bonnie after we went our separate ways at the bar.”
The officer looked down his nose. “The original report states you were the one who pulled the driver and Miss Moretti from the wreckage. Care to alter your statement at all?”
“Not without a lawyer present, no.”
The officer scoffed. “Right. Well. Thank you for answering my questions. I’ll be in touch.”
And as the officer started walking out of the room, I snapped my fingers. “Sir?” I asked.
He turned around. “Yep?”
I pointed. “You forgot your recording device.”
He held my stare. “My bad.”
“I’m sure.”
I watched him come back in and pick it up before disappearing out into the hallway. Then, I relaxed against the pillows of my hospital bed. Israel patted the top of my hand as Ash sat back down, picking up her book from where she had left off. And as my anger toward my uncle filled the marrow of my bones, I understood where he was coming from. He was a desperate man who had gotten backed into a corner after a lifetime of climbing to the top. Of course, he’d do anything to keep his position, no matter where he was.
But, that didn’t mean he was going to win this war.
It’s time to take matters into my own hands.
And once I got out of this hospital, that was exactly what I would do.
7
Bonnie
“Miss Bonnie?”
“Yes?”
“Can I get you anything while I’m in the kitchen? It’ll save you a trip.”
I sighed. “No, thank you, Miss Rankoff. I’m all right.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind bringing you something. You haven’t eaten since lunch anyway.”
“I can get myself something when I get hungry.”
“Miss Bonnie, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The doctor said you need to be resting.”
I danced my fingertips against my cheekbone. “I’ll get it myself when I’m ready. Thank you.”
I blocked out the rest of what the caretaker was saying as I stared at myself in the mirror. Coming home from the hospital yesterday had been such a blessing. But now? Everyone kept treating me as if I were an invalid. Like I couldn't do anything for myself or walk on my own or venture out of this damned bedroom to get myself anything. And now that I was back in Israel’s bedroom—again—I had to prove to people that getting
up and down the steps wasn’t going to be an issue.
When really, it hurt like a bitch.
“No wonder he won’t stick around,” I murmured.
I ran my fingertips along the bruises on my face and sighed. Bruises mired my once-pristine cheekbones. My sparkling eyes were almost swollen shut. My wonderfully plump lower lip had a split in it that cracked open and made my teeth turn red every time I tried to smile. I couldn't even fucking grin, I was so hideous.
“He’ll never want me this way,” I whispered.
I was lost. I was angry. But, most of all, I was confused. A few days ago, I knew what it meant to have absolute power. I knew what it meant for people to regard me with respect instead of disdain. I knew what it meant for Israel to look at me with lust—and finally give in—rather than pushing me away. I knew what it felt like to feel on top of the world. Unstoppable. Completely in control.
And now, I was right back at the beginning.
“Here you are, Miss Bonnie. I went ahead and brought you some—goodness gracious! What are you doing out of bed?!”
I sighed. “I can get out of bed whenever I please, Miss Rankoff.”
“Oh, no, no, no. This isn’t going to do. Here, let me help you back into bed.”
I tried to fight off the woman, but my entire body was stiff. I couldn’t move my shoulders, much less throw a punch. I couldn’t bend down without groaning, much less sweep my leg beneath hers to knock her over. Moving felt like such a chore, and everyone kept doting on me as if I were some sort of cripple.
I hate all of this.
“There we are. Let’s get you tucked in all nice and tight. Like this.”
I stared at the wall as the woman slid her hands beneath the edges of my body.
“Miss Rankoff, this really isn’t—”
She pointed at me. “Now, you listen here. I know you’re all big and bad and powerful. But, until your body heals? You’re the biggest liability to yourself. Once you heal? You do anything you want. Until that point, though? You’re to obey my directions. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself back in the hospital, yes?”
I blinked. “Sure.”
She picked up the tray of food. “Great. I’m glad we’re on the same page. Now, sandwich?” She set the damn thing onto my thighs before I had a chance to tell her that I wasn’t hungry—again—and I stared down at the meal. A tuna sandwich with the crust cut off, a fresh fruit salad, Jello pudding for dessert, and vegetables with dipping sauce.
His Prize: An Arranged Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel King Book 3) Page 4