Chapter 30

Marabella’s POV

I gestured for them to lay Timmy down on one of the cots. “As for the other two that are injured, I need the clothing cut back to expose their wounds”, I said to Sergio. He nodded and started doing what I instructed. I had determined it was safe to sew up the bullet wound that was through and through. I wanted to start there so that when I gave him blood, he wouldn’t bleed out as badly.

“Roll him on his side, please”, I said to Luca, who refused to leave my side. I stitched the wound on his back first, before taking care of the one on his stomach. By the time that I finished, a frantic looking woman in her mid-forties, came rushing into the room. “Timmy, oh my God, Timmy”, she said, coming to his side. “Carol, what blood type is he?”, Luca asked. “Uh, AB+, boss”, she choked out. “Serg”, I called out. “On it, sorella (sister)”, Sergio answered, headed to the stock fridge.

I made quick work of putting an IV in Timmy’s arm. “I need to give him a little time before I can give him morphine. I don’t know how much blood he lost”, I explained to Luca. He nodded in understanding, as I moved on to the next soldato. “They are both through and through”, Sergio informed me. I nodded and started sewing one of the guy’s shoulders shut. The next one’s wound was on his calf.

“You’ll need to let your tendons and muscles heal. I’m sure you will feel as if you are being shocked in that area. Don’t be alarmed, that zapping feeling is just your muscles fusing back together”, I explained, as I finished the stitch. “Thank you, ma’am”, the soldato said. “You’re welcome”, I said, standing up and walking back over to Timmy.

“Serg, half of a dose, please”, I said. He has turned out to be very good help. Sergio nodded and inserted a half-dose of morphine into Timmy’s IV. “Are you a doctor, ma’am? Or a nurse?”, Carol asked, nervously. “Not exactly”, I answered honestly. “Wait, I want a real doctor”, she protested. “She’s your son’s only chance at survival”, Luca growled.

“Timmy, do you feel any pain?”, I asked, ignoring them both. “No, I feel great. You are very pretty”, Timmy said, reaching his hand toward my face. Luca grabbed Timmy’s wrist and pinned it by his side. “Easy, kid. I’m still angry that you were out there tonight. Don’t push it by flirting with my wife”, Luca warned in a low tone. Timmy trembled and swallowed hard. “Sorry, boss”, he squeaked.

“Why were you out there tonight, Timmy?”, Luca asked. Timmy looked frightened, and shook slightly. “I was told I had to be there”, he answered in a whisper. “By who?”, Luca gritted out. Timmy swallowed hard and looked around the room. “I can’t say”, he whispered. “You do realize I am the Boss, right?”, Luca asked in a crazed tone. Timmy looked around the room and made eye contact with someone. “Please”, he uttered. Luca seemed to get the memo, because he grunted and cleared his throat. “This isn’t over”, he muttered lowly.

“Timmy, I need you to stay very still for me, okay? You will feel pressure. That is normal. If the pressure starts to burn or sting, let me know”, I instructed, as I sterilized the instruments and his wound. “Yes ma’am”, he agreed. Luca stood next to me, while I reached the hemostats into Timmy’s wound. I carefully grabbed the bullet and slowly pulled it out. No blood gushed from the wound, so I took that as a good sign.

Luca’s hand touched my back lightly, as he released a breath of relief. I sewed him up and gave his mother the same instructions that I gave the brothers. “He needs orange juice, a hearty meal and rest. He’s not quite out of the woods yet. So he will need someone to stay with him tonight”, I explained. “Of course. I’m going to stay with him. But, I wouldn’t know what to do if something went wrong”, Carol said, concerned.

“I’ll stay. Someone should stay with Marco, too. If it’s something I can’t handle, I’ll come get you”, Sergio volunteered. “I’ll stay too”, Carlo said. “No, you won’t. You need to go prop your leg up in bed”, I said, cutting my eyes to him. Carlo pouted as Rex and Cal helped him up. “Rex, stop by the kitchen and get Timmy’s food from me, when you are done taking Carlo to his room”, I said, as they walked past. “Yes ma’am”, he answered.

I turned and exited the infirmary, Luca hot on my heels. “Piccola, are you okay?”, he asked, grabbing ahold of my elbow to stop me. I looked up at his bare chest to his dark gray eyes. “Yes. All of your men need to eat”, I answered. Luca smiled, “Our men. And you are going to do that?”, he quirked an eyebrow at me. “Well, I’m sure as hell not waking your mother up to do it. I’m leaving that for you”, I smirked. Luca’s face fell.

“She needs to know that her boys are home, safe. Marco is stable enough now that it won’t traumatize her”, I explained, reaching up and touching his chest. “I would advise that you put a shirt on though, so she doesn’t worry about you, too”, I added. Luca’s hand slowly wrapped around my neck, before he gripped the back of it and pulled me closer. I gasped softly, as both of my hands planted flat on his bare chest.

“You are the most amazing woman that God gifted this earth. Fuck, I’m glad you’re mine”, he purred, leaning in to kiss me. It was soft, tender and short-lived. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen, bambino”, Luca whispered, before pecking my nose. He turned and walked in the direction of our room, while I headed to the kitchen.