Keep Me (The Lucky Family Book 2)

by Eden Rose

  I spoke through gritted teeth, "He ran." I know it is not his fault and they are newlyweds, but I am about to kick him out if he doesn't stop being so romantic.

  Focus energy on killing Stilarno. He will die and it will be a glorious occasion. I will make him suffer and feel the pain of what I am feeling.

  Which I don't think is possible. This pain is unbearable and I didn't think that anything could top the agony of watching her walk out of my door a few months ago. That seems like child's play compared to this.

  When Lea Sophia used to live with me, she was obsessed with this band called Deathcab for Cutie (or something like that). There was a song that she used to play a lot and I couldn't help but think how melodramatic and desperate they sounded. However, now I understand the gravity of the meaning. I will follow you into the dark... I truly feel that way for Savannah.

  If I lose her...I am more than prepared to join her.

  The doctor knocked on the door and then walked in. "Who is this woman's kin?" We all nodded our heads and Anne sat on the edge of the bed to grab her hand. "We won't need to do surgery. The bullet didn't cause the amount of complications that we thought. Once she wakes up, we will need to keep her here," the doctor turned to me. "Are you her husband?"

  "No, he is not. Technically I am," Joel said as he strolled in.

  "You bastard!" Anne screamed as she jumped over the bed and pushed him into the door. The doctor looked at me and I shrugged.

  He looked at all of our faces in order to get a handle on the situation. The doctor must have sensed hostility because he railed towards the door. "I am going to do my rounds," the doctor backed out of the room and closed the door.

  "You dirty bastard! You could have killed her! What in the hell is the matter with you? You boys are so up your asses and now my best friend is laying on a hospital bed! No!" She shook as she shoved her hands into Joel's chest to keep him from moving. "You need to leave! I swear to you and all that is holy to you that if you come back, I will stab you in the throat and then spit on your body," she backed away from him and then he started walking towards her. Anne formed a fist and punches him in the mouth.

  His head snaps to the side and he spits out some blood as she shakes her hand out. "Damn it, Anne! Why can't you just let me be with her?" Joel signaled to Savannah. My blood boiled.

  My mother and sister were always the peace keepers so it didn't surprise me when my niece climbed on my leg and tried to climb up me. My hands shook as I leaned over and picked her up. Once she is situated on me, she leans into to hold my face and has her innocent smile on her face. Lea Sophia just rolls her eyes at what her daughter is doing. "Uncle Vincent, don't. Let's all have a good time. Maybe some cookies?" I looked down at her big brown eyes and red lips. Isadora's cheeks are ruby red and her brown curls that fall over her shoulders make her look like a princess.

  Isadora lived in a fairy tale. The kind of life that a child should have. A childhood. I wished I could live like that and just want everyone to be happy. During my childhood, Lea Sophia grew up knowing what our father was doing so we had to look over our shoulder. We knew that one day a person will be sitting in that chair and the next day we are going to their funeral.

  There were a few months that we went to a dozen funerals for the men in the organization. Sometimes their wives, significant others and children were caught in the midst of bullets. I could remember one funeral where it was a boy that I used to hang around with. He looked so small and his father was drunk during the funeral. I will never forget that day as I realized that bad things do happen to these men who seem in control.

  I really hope that Isadora doesn't grow up like that.

  I looked at Savannah and then at my family. At this moment, I knew I had to make a choice. A choice of whether or not to keep her with me or to let her go. I didn't let myself come to an answer as I stormed out of the hospital room and down the hallway towards the lobby at the base of the hospital.

  "Get me him," I said to Leo and we walked out and into the garage where his car was. "He shot her. He actually shot her."

  Leo nodded as he sat in the passenger seat to let me drive the Jaguar. "I know, man. I am sorry. What are you doing?"

  Chapter Eleven * Vincent

  I didn't answer him as I took my phone out and called Stilarno. He had to know what was coming. Stilarno answered the phone on the first ring. "Meet me at the social club in ten. Bring one man. We will handle this by ourselves," I hung up the phone and Leo reached into the back to the bag that held our guns.

  "Take a breath," Leo said to me as I parked the car and walked out of it. "Here," he handed me a .22. What a coincidence, that is what they shot Savannah with.

  Sammy, John, Johnny and Humberto were outside of the club. "Men, I need to handle this by myself. He ordered the hit. Now, she is on a hospital bed."

  I left them and tucked the gun into my pocket. Leo followed me only because he was next in line as the top enforcer. I would need his help. "Thanks," I said as we walked in.

  "Well, oh my stars. Look who is right on time," Stilarno said as he stood up. He had a Cuban cigar hanging from his lip and the man who shot Savannah was right next to him. My body tensed as I recognized him. "I see you recognized my plus one. This is Paul Horizon. Paul, meet Vincent and Leo."

  I sat down and gripped my gun. I pulled a cigar out of the case in my coat and lit it. After the club's server brought me bourbon, I spoke. "You know why I am here."

  "Yes, we do. What can we do for you?" Stilarno asked.

  "Well that is a loaded question," Leo replied.

  "Well... First off," I took a puff and blew out the smoke, "you can leave her alone. She didn't kill that asshole and you know it." I took another hit off of my cigar. "I did." I let the smoke out and took a drink. Horizon was looking pretty smug for a man who is about to meet a few slugs in the brain.

  Stilarno looked at me and took a drink as well. "You know why we put the contract up on her. What was her name?" My back tensed. "Savannah, right?" I wanted to throw my drink at him and then crack the glass of the cup on him.

  "You damn well what her name is."

  "What did you want to discuss? You killed my under boss. I killed your girlfriend. Looks like we are even."

  I stood up with my cigar in my mouth and leaned over the dimly lit table and blew the smoke out in his face. "Well, guess what. You shot my associate. I shot a man who was trying to kill and rape my comare! I think we are more than even."

  Stilarno stood up from his seat and tried to grab my cigar. I pushed his hand out of my face. "I wouldn't say that we were even. I did you a favor. I warned you! You knew what was going to happen, Vincent."

  "You are right. We are not remotely even," I sat back down on my chair and took a drink with a deep puff off of my cigar. "You now have shot my woman. You know you broke code by doing that! I am a made member!" I stopped talking so that I could calm myself down. The gun in my pocket seemed to weigh a ton on my thigh as I got more and more tempted to take it out. "Now, you know that we could have clipped Castile. We didn't. We let that go! Why are you targeting my comare?"

  "He really doesn't know, does he?" Stilarno turned to the shooter and smiled a little. As he turned back to me had a shit eating grin on his face. "I am so surprised that you didn't know," he took a drink and then refilled his glass.

  I wanted to yell at him. But, I kept my cool and so did Leo. There are a few different ways for this to play out. I can just kill everyone in this room and get it over with or I can find out what this joker means. He has time for riddles while my woman is in the hospital. That's rich. Maybe I will just kill everyone due to principle.

  "Because I seen her first. You really didn't know that? I am shocked." The way that he said this is nonchalant and it makes my temper bubble over.

  There is something wrong with this because my Savannah didn't say anything about this man. "You what?" I screamed as I flew out of my chair and leaned over the table. The chair hit a wall and then I h
eard something splinter. The chair seems to be rather sturdy so I am almost positive that I did not crack it but I really don't give a shit right now.

  "Yes, yes. You heard me correctly," he spoke so calmly as my blood boiled. "I had her sell my place. However, before I hired her, I promoted Joel through some ranks. Yes, he got moved up from a delivery boy to made in a week. And why, you ask?" He takes a puff of his cigar. "Because I made him request the divorce."

  At times like this, I am thankful for Leo. He is always level headed and is able to think before he acts. "So, you broke up a marriage so you could get a chance?" Leo asked as he reached into his pocket. "Well, maybe you didn't know this.. Stilarno," he baited him with his words, "I sold my pent house because Moretti seen her a year ago. So, I guess your plan has back fired!" Leo shouted and emphasized the last word while I took control of my chair.

  Well, the big guy with jokes is all choked up. "She didn't... she didn't... Want to be with Joel. She was eyeing me the whole time they were together," Stilarno made the biggest mistake. He showed vulnerability. With that vulnerability, I seen my crack and now it is time to take it.

  As I am still towering over him, it this made it easy for my intimidation plans. "Well, guess what?" I pulled the ring out of my pocket and showed it to him. "This is how serious I am about her. Take a good look!" I shoved it in his face and kicked back my chair. "This is my woman. Not yours!" I picked up the chair and moved it closer to Stilarno before I sat down on it. "You shot at her. Yes, you hit her shoulder," I aimed my attention to Paul. "You will all leave her alone." Stilarno opened his mouth but I didn't give him a chance to speak since I took a puff from my cigar and let it out in his face. "Because if you don't, I will make sure to take away everything that you and every person who is involved in any of these failed hits." We stood up and walked out with the cigars still in our mouths. I turned around and caught Stilarno's dumb look on his face as he swallowed the rest of his drink. "Have I made myself clear?" He should be dead. I should have shot him but that's not how any of this works. My father instilled in me how important rules are and how it is vital to follow them in order to have less fatality. Losing someone in the cross hairs of these battles is horrible and I am done going to funerals.

  Stilarno stubbed out his cigar and chugged his drink. "Crystal," he stood up and walked to the other side of the table. "Until we meet again."

  "Such a romantic solitude," Leo said as we walked out the door. When we got to the car, his phone was ringing. "Lea?... She is!" He hung up and then took the keys out of my hand. "She is awake. We need to get there now, Anne is trying to talk to her about going on the lam."

  Technically, she couldn't go on the lam because she is connected to me. Once someone goes away into hiding, that person either stays gone or flips. Not that I have inclinations that any of the three would flip, but the feds are manipulative. I want to protect her as much as I can before she is really in critical care.

  "What the hell?" We climbed into the car and now it was Leo's turn to drive. He flew us to the hospital and once we pulled into a spot, we ran into the hospital. We were able to make it inside and up the few flights of stairs before we were stopped right outside of Savannah's room.

  "Hello, who are you here to see?" A nurse approached us with a clip board.

  "Savannah Cavanough. She was shot the night before," I replied as I pushed through her barrier but was only stopped. The nurse looked down at her files as if she had to think about something.

  "She checked out. Her parents checked her out and she left to go to a different hospital," she took out a note and handed us a bag that was on the cart behind her. "They left you these." Inside the bag, was four phones. I knew three of the phones were Rossi's and Savannah's.

  They can just check her out like that? What the hell? Who let's a gun shot wounded person leave the hospital? "Um, thanks," I took the stuff out of her hands and opened the note. Deep breathing did not help calm me. I just got her back and now they take off with her.

  Moretti,

  I am sorry to take off like this. But this situation isn't safe for my wife or Savannah and their safety is vital. We left the phones so that we won't be tracked. I will call you once we get settled. Don't try to follow us.

  Rossi

  I crumbled the note and threw it away. Leo picked up the note off the floor and tried to come up to me. I punched the wall on Savannah's floor. "They took her! They really took her! Doesn't anyone follow the rules anymore!" My hand began to throb from hitting the wall but I didn't even stop to favor it.

  Chapter Twelve *Savannah

  I heard all sorts of voices as my eyes opened. I am in so much pain and as I tried to move my arms, there was something attached to my arm. Suddenly things come into focus and I am not liking what I don't see. I don't see Vincent but I do see white walls and a sterile environment. What the hell?

  My hands were both being held and it felt odd. "Oh, you are awake!" Anne climbed into my bed and laid on her side to cradle me.

  It felt good to be held but I wanted Vincent to be the one holding me and I don't see him anywhere. I find it rather strange that I can sense that he hasn't been here in a while. "Who are they?" I pointed to a group of girls who have sympathetic looks on their faces. This is not happening. I wake up in a strange location and there are now random people who seem to know me.

  The older woman walks over to my left side and grabs a hold of my hand. Upon looking harder, she looks Italian and I am thinking she must be affiliated with Vincent in some way. My hand tingles and my eyes start to tingle as the warmth of this stranger's hand works through me. I miss my own mom. "Hi, I am Bella, this is Lea Sophia, and this is Isadora. We are Vincent's family. Its a pleasure to meet you, sweetie. How are you feeling?" She had the same eyes as Vincent's and the same accent.

  Lea Sophia is stunning. Big brown eyes and long blackish hair that is wavy. Her daughter is her mini-me but with her hair in pig tails. This gene pool is very impressive and I can see where Vincent's good looks come from.

  "I am so confused," I closed my eyes and let everything wash through me. "Why are you all here? Why am I here?" I looked down at my body and noticed a bandage on my shoulder where there was pain coming through.

  My confusion level is through the roof as my mind caught up with who is in my room. From previous conversations with Vincent, I was under the impression that he and his family were not on speaking terms. If that is or was the case, why are they in my room? I am a complete stranger to them and this is very strange for them to be here.

  My hair is being petted and a warm body wraps around me. "You were shot," Anne whispered. "I need to get you out of here," her dictation is very thorough and it is of one that I haven't heard from her.

  Ronnie picked my feet up and then set them on his lap. My blanket wasn't tucked in and I noticed I was wearing a hospital gown. "We are going to my family's home in upstate. No one will know us there."

  I rubbed my head as all the information was sucked in. "Where is...?" I didn't want to say his name because I'm worried that something bad would happen if I were to say his name. Which is completely silly but I feel as if it will call attention.

  "He is having a sit down," Ronnie replied and sat on the bed. "Vincent doesn't know that we are leaving. It is best for you to break up."

  My heart dropped. As tears started to form, I shook my head. "No." Break up? Where is this coming from? This. Is. Crazy. Who the hell does he think he is? Who in their right mind would say this to someone who is laying in a hospital bed?

  Bella came and stood in front of the bed and rubbed my foot. "I know my son, he will kill you if you take her. You don't understand." I wanted to laugh when she hit Ronnie upside the head. Bella sat down next to me and grabbed my hand. "You poor girl. I have told him to get out and be legit. My boy is... well, he loves you and you are good for him."

  A little voice comes from the corner and I feel my heart pitter-patter. "Uncle Vin don't want her to go. She's pretty girl and she
makes Uncle Vin happy." Isadora shrugs and looks over at me. "Yes, Uncle Vincent loves pretty women."

  Ronnie completely ignores what she just said and keeps talking. "No, you don't understand. She will die if she stays here. I am going to tell the nurses that we are leaving. I will have you transferred to a hospital in upstate. I have a house there."

  Lea Sophia flew out of her seat and gripped Ronnie's shirt at the collar. "My mother wasn't joking. If you take her, he will be pissed and come after you. Vincent won't forgive you."

  The pain started to come back. It should have been the pain from my being shot, but it was the pain of being taken from Vincent. "Please, let me speak to him. Ronnie, I don't want to go. I want to stay here. They can't pop me again because they failed!" Ronnie started walking out the door and Lea Sophia picked up her phone to call someone. I reached over to the hospital phone to call Vincent, but the nurse came in and told me the helicopter was here to take me.