When she finished in the bathroom, she found Beppe in the exact same position as she’d left him – on his tummy, his head turned towards her, his eyes open, but heavy with sleep and pain killers. Gia hesitated again thinking it might be better to go sleep in her mum’s room after all, but instead she moved to the side of the bed. Beppe tugged the blanket aside and patted the mattress, his usual smirk trying to appear on his lips. She lay next to him then, turning on her side to face him.
“You cried in the shower,” he stated. There was no point in denying it – if he hadn’t actually heard her, the red, swollen eyes must be a dead giveaway, so she nodded and sighed.
“Don’t. Please, don’t cry for me. I can’t stand to see you cry.”
“How can I not? I’ve been watching that monster beat you and over and you won’t even let me help.”
“You are helping. Every single time.”
“Yeah. After. I want to help so that this never happens again. I don’t want to heal your wounds and hold you while you cry. I want it to stop.”
Beppe closed his eyes, for a moment before he spoke.
“When my mum married him, her parents turned her back on her, you know that? She wasn’t even allowed to attend her own mother’s funeral. My dad’s an orphan, so he doesn’t have any family at all. It’s just the three of us. What am I supposed to do? My mum wasn't strong enough to leave him when I was a kid. And now she’s definitely in no shape to do that. I have no choice, Gia. Until I’m eighteen I can't legally leave that damn house. If I do it now, he'll call the cops on me. He’ll never let me leave.”
“You can report him, he’ll get arrested...”
“And what? He’ll just get released the next day. It would be my word against his. My mum will never stand against him. And trust me, if I ever did that, things would get much worse afterward.”
“Then at least fight back. You’re not a kid anymore, Beppe, you can protect yourself...”
Beppe started shaking his head before Gia could finish her sentence. She heard the door of Max’s room open and close and mentally ticked one less thing to worry about tonight.
“I can’t hit him. I’ve been terrified of the man all my life, I can’t just flip a switch in my brain and start to fight back. Every time I see him I just freeze. He’s... he can be...” Beppe swallowed hard, unable to get any more words out as his eyes filled with tears. Gia felt her own eyes welling up, again, and she reached out, cupping his cheek. Beppe turned into it, rubbing his skin against it, seeking comfort.
Fourteen months until Beppe turned eighteen and could move out. Then everything would be fine.
Three months later Gia realised how wrong she’d been.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gia got up an hour before her alarm was supposed to go off. She couldn’t sleep. Beppe hadn’t shown up last night, and hadn’t called either. Work at the restaurant had been manic the previous day – one of the chefs had thrown a tantrum and left in the middle of the shift, causing chaos in his wake. When Gia finally made it home she managed a quick shower, before throwing herself on the bed and blacking out. The blissful slumber didn’t last long enough. She woke three hours later. She then tossed and turned, unable to stop her mind from racing. Why couldn't her brain switch off and give her a break?
She checked her phone – no messages from Beppe. This wasn’t like him. He spent almost every night at her house and if for some reason he wasn't going to make it, he always called to let her know. Gia had the uneasy feeling that something was terribly wrong. She resisted the urge to call Beppe – it was 5:00 am and she didn’t want to risk waking him just because she was feeling anxious.
Putting her phone down on the bedside table, Gia decided she may as well get up. She threw a white tank top on with a pair of blue yoga pants, then tip toed quietly down the corridor to Max’s room. Her mum was home, sleeping and she didn’t want to wake her, but she did want to check to make sure her brother had come home last night. Opening the door slowly, Gia peeked inside and found his bed empty. Cursing under her breath, she stalked downstairs to the kitchen and started the coffee machine.
Leaning against the counter she once again became lost in thought.
Max was spiraling out of control. Before, he at least attempted to behave when their mum was home. Now he wasn't even trying.
Between her job, Beppe, and taking care of everything around the house, Gia barely saw her brother these days, and when she did he was either drunk or stoned or beaten up. It was breaking her heart. The worst part was that she felt responsible – she was his big sister. With their mum working away from home all the time and their dad gone, she should be looking after him. But how? He wouldn’t listen to anything she said, he wouldn’t even listen to Beppe who was Max's best friend. Gia felt so helpless and weak, yet had to act all mature, responsible and strong.
The truth was she yearned to have someone stronger than her to come and take charge of the situation. She wanted, no, needed, a break.
Filling her cup with coffee, Gia realised she had more than an hour to kill before she had to leave for work, so she decided to switch on the TV and find out what else was going on in the world. She’d been so absorbed in her own life that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d watched the news. Or any TV for that matter.
A reporter, looking very grim and serious, appeared on the screen and the red BREAKING NEWS sign flashing underneath. Gia turned up the volume so that she could hear what he was saying.
“ – both died on the scene,” he said. A feeling of dread crept up Gia's spine. Her eyes glued to the screen, she suddenly thought that the scene behind the reporter seemed very familiar. “We couldn’t find anyone for comment at this time, but we’ll bring you more information on what neighbours thought of Marco Orsino and his family, as well as Giuseppe Orsino's condition as it becomes available. My guess is nobody saw this terrible tragedy coming ...”
Gia could no longer hear the TV because her ears were ringing. The mug slipped from her numb fingers and crashed on the floor, the hot coffee scalding her bare feet. She didn't even notice.
They were reporting from Beppe’s front yard.
There was police tape everywhere.
Something horrific had happened.
Beppe!
That thought shook her out of her trance and she made for the front door. Without stopping to put shoes on, Gia ran the few meters separating hers and Beppe’s houses. She prayed this was all one big misunderstanding and nothing had happened last night. Unfortunately, the reporters were there. Right in front of Beppe’s house, talking into cameras, rehashing the same details, while waiting for some new information to report. Gia felt sick. She ran to the nearest reporter and yanked him away from his camera.
“What the hell happened here?” she demanded, gripping the man by his upper arms. He was looking at her with a startled expression, unable to form words. “Tell me!” She shook him and he seemed to collect himself. Gia was vaguely aware that all the reporters had stopped talking and all eyes and cameras had turned to her.
“Um, who are you?” her reporter asked. Anger consumed her and she shook him again as hard as she could, even though he was at least a foot taller than her.
“Tell me now!”
“OK, OK, calm down! The man that lives here, Marco Orsino, he stabbed his wife and son last night before turning the knife on himself.”
Gia's hands fell from the man and she stumbled backward.
The world slid out of focus. This was not happening. No, this had to be a nightmare. It could not be real.
“Miss? Miss? Are you OK?” the reporter was asking her, but his voice seemed so far away. “Do you know the family?” The question brought her back to reality. Of course! He was looking for an exclusive to announce. Gia was pure gold to any of these reporters right now. They hadn’t managed to interview anyone yet, but now she was there and she was obviously upset, why not exploit her!
Ignoring his query she asked, “Giuseppe? Marco�
�s son? Where is he? You said before you’d be reporting about his condition.”
“He’s in the hospital.”
“Which hospital?” Gia managed to keep her voice even, calm almost, although she really wanted to scream and scratch the idiot’s eyes out.
“Ospedali Galliera,” he answered, taking a small step back, sensing Gia’s need to violently unleash her anger and pain.
Gia nodded and turned to leave when he grabbed her arm.
“Wait. Who are you? Are you Giuseppe’s girlfriend?”
Gia shook her arm out of his grasp and casting one last venomous look in his direction, sprinted away not saying another word. She had no doubt her little stunt would be on all the news channels, played and replayed hundreds of times before the vultures found some new tragedy to feast on.
She didn't care. She had to get to the hospital.
Beppe!
******
Beppe spent six hours in surgery and was now in the intensive care unit. Gia pleaded with anyone who’d listen, assuring the staff that Beppe didn’t have any family left but her and refused to leave the hospital until she saw him. The head nurse took pity on her and promised to ask the doctor who had operated on him to talk to her. Her only condition was that Gia calmed down, got a cup of tea and sat down quietly in the waiting room.
Gia went in search of a cup of tea, then made her way to the waiting room. She’d do anything to be able to see Beppe.
While waiting, Gia called Angelo Sonori and explained the situation and why she wouldn't be coming in to work today. He had seen the news, but hadn't realised the victims were Gia’s close friends. He assured her she could take as much time as she needed and asked her to keep him updated, wishing Beppe a fast recovery. Next, she called her mum. Elsa picked up on the third ring, sounding frantic. She was watching the news coverage of what happened and couldn’t believe her eyes. She wanted to cancel her next job and come wait with Gia in the hospital but Gia convinced her not to. There was nothing she could do. Besides, her mum was already an emotional wreck. Gia couldn’t deal with that right now. Elsa reluctantly agreed and made Gia promise to call her every day with updates on Beppe’s condition. After she hung up, she tried calling Max, but his phone kept ringing with no answer, and she gave up after the third time. God, she hoped her brother was OK. Should she call the cops and report him missing? Her mum had been so shaken with the reports on the news that she probably hadn’t even noticed her son wasn't home.
The vibration of the incoming text startled her and she almost dropped her phone.
Max: Leave me alone.
Well, if he could text, at least he was OK. He could read and type which meant he was in one piece.
Gia: Where the fuck are you?
Max: A friend’s house.
Gia: Yeah? Which friend?
Max: Back off sis.
Thank God he wasn’t in front of her right now or she’d have strangled him. She was so sick and tired of his shit! Yes, he’d taken care of their father all by himself, but a lot of other people have been through that and worse, and they weren’t drinking and drugging themselves to death! Yes, his father was dead and no his mum was never around, but they were Gia’s parents too. She missed them too, but she wasn’t spiraling out of control and throwing her life away. He had no excuse, no fucking excuse. The moment Beppe got better she’d take care of Max. She’d force him into rehab, report him to the cops every day if she had to, make his life a living hell until he sorted himself out. She was telling their mum and she didn’t care about anyone else’s emotional state anymore. The madness had to stop.
“Gianna Selvaggio?” The deep voice startled Gia out of her morbid thoughts. The doctor was standing over her chair, staring down at her. He was in his mid fifties, tall, with dark hair and serious dark eyes. He made her nervous.
“Yes?” she said and stood up to shake his hand. He looked like a man who’d like to shake your hand.
“I’m Dr. Allessi. I understand you’re here to inquire about Giuseppe Orsino's condition?” Gia nodded. Tears filled her eyes even before the doctor spoke. “I’m afraid I can’t give you any definite answers right now, Miss Selvaggio. Giuseppe lost a lot of blood before he came in. He was also bleeding internally and had a concussion... Are you OK, Miss?”
Gia hadn’t even realised when she’d fallen back on the chair for support. All she knew was that her ears started ringing again the moment the doctor said he couldn't give her any definite answers. That meant Beppe might not get better. That meant Beppe might not make it.
Beppe might die.
Gia’s vision blurred and she felt nausea creeping up her throat. That was the last thing she remembered before everything went black.
Gia woke up in a hospital room. What was she doing there? Why was she in a hospital? Blinking a few times to clear her vision, Gia tried to sit up but her head hurt so badly that she fell back on the pillow.
And then all the events of the last twenty four hours rushed back making her head pound even more.
Oh God, Beppe. She needed to see Beppe.
Adrenalin flooded her veins and gathering all the strength she could muster, Gia sat up and swung her legs off the bed. She was moaning and wincing painfully when a female voice asked,
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Gia jumped and almost fell off the bed. Turning her head in the direction of the voice, Gia saw it belonged to that head nurse she’d spoken to earlier. Giving her a pleading look she begged, “I have to see Beppe. Please. I need to see him...” she trailed off because surprisingly strong hands eased her back on the bed.
“You will see him. Tomorrow. Right now you rest. You’re in shock, you’re exhausted and your blood sugar levels are dangerously low. Lie back down and rest. Doctor’s orders.”
“But...” Gia protested and attempted to get up again.
“Listen honey, lie back down and let us take care of you. Beppe’s condition is stable. There’s nothing you can do for him now. You’ll see him tomorrow, I promise.”
Her voice was so calm and soothing that Gia couldn't help but believe her. She lay back and drifted off to sleep.
She wasn't sure how long she slept, but when Gia next woke up it was dark outside. She felt much better though – rested and not as frantic as before.
Wow, they must have pumped me up with some powerful drugs.
Getting up without much trouble, unlike a few hours ago, she went to use the toilet and freshen up. Avoiding the mirror at any cost, Gia splashed her face with water and felt immediately better. She walked out of her room in search of someone she could talk to who could take her to see Beppe. A clock on the wall said it was 4:00 am. So her nurse was probably gone. She needed to find someone who could help her. A young woman in a nurse uniform was behind the desk when Gia reached the reception area.
“Hi. I’m Gianna Selvaggio, I'm ...” she began.
“Yes, I know. I checked up on you about an hour ago,” said the nurse, smiling warmly at her.
“Thank you.”
“What can I do for you, honey?”
“I need to see Be... Giuseppe Orsino. Please. I know he’s in intensive care, but the other nurse promised I could see him and I...”
“Honey, relax before we have to pick you up off the floor again.” The nurse put her hand over Gia’s and gave her a reassuring grin. “Mariana told me about you. The head nurse on shift yesterday,” she clarified seeing Gia’s confused expression. “She said to take you to Beppe when you woke up.” Relief washed over Gia in such a strong wave that she almost lost her balance.
“Thank you. Thank you so much...”
“Are you his girlfriend? His sister?”
Gia thought about that. She was the closest thing Beppe had ever had to a girlfriend or a sister.
“I’m all he has left.”
The young nurse nodded with understanding and gestured for Gia to follow her.
CHAPTER SIX
The nurse, who introduced hers
elf as Lina while they made their way to the intensive care unit, warned Gia she had only five minutes with Beppe. When they arrived Lina paused at Beppe’s door, saying she’d wait outside and call her when her time was up.
Gia hesitated only a moment before going in. She leaned back against the door as it shut behind her. She took a deep breath and looked up to find a stranger lying on the bed. A stranger that looked vaguely like her Beppe. He was so pale. He appeared so vulnerable and fragile, hooked to all sorts of machines. Gia rushed to his side.
At least he was breathing on his own and didn’t have a tube down his throat. She knelt next to his bed and clasped his hand in hers. It was warm, but felt limp and lifeless to the touch. Determined not to cry, Gia swallowed the lump in her throat and spoke, trying to keep her voice even in case he could hear her.
“Beppe. I’m here, baby. You're going to be OK. I know you will. You can’t leave me. I need you, Beppe. We’re going to get through this together. We’ve got so much to look forward to, amore.”
I won’t cry! I won’t cry!
She kept telling herself that, but she was on the verge of bursting into desperate sobs. Reaching out a hand, Gia caressed Beppe’s beautiful face with her fingertips.
Gia wanted to remind Beppe of all their plans, of everything they had talked about and wanted to do with their lives, but she couldn’t find the strength to do it without falling apart. Beppe looked really, really bad. She could feel how weak his body was and she could feel it, in her bones, how much he wanted to give up.
She was not about to let him give up. Gia leaned closer and gripped his hand a bit tighter.
“Beppe, I know you can hear me. And I know you want to just give up and drift away and forget about everything. But I can’t let you do that. It might be selfish of me, but I need you. I can’t do this alone, baby, I just can’t. You’re everything to me. Don’t you dare give up!” She felt the tears streaming down her cheeks and there was nothing she could do to stop the sobs now. She clutched his hand to her face, raining kisses and tears on him. She cried until nurse Lina came in to lead her away.
Then, Now, Forever (Heartbeat #2) Page 4