A few hours prior to the hospital.
“What’s the latest on the government oversight report?” Joseph inquired from Gabby. We had a staff meeting early, and Savio would still only let me go to work in the office in small doses. Other than that, I had to work from home. I had a meeting scheduled with his father to finish going over everything we had planned for the article and book. Even the cover was coming together in what he envisioned.
“I have everything ready for press. I wasn’t getting anywhere with the oversight board,” Gabby spoke.
“Try Linda on the third-floor human resources,” Joseph said.
“How can she help?”
“She owes us a favor,” Joseph explained. Gabby smiled in delight and printed her name.
“Rena, what’s going on with the reports on entertainment and celebrity?”
“I have the fashion column finished from the latest award show,” Rena replied.
“Did you get comments?”
“Yes, and some stylists asked to be quoted.”
“No time for that.”
“It can’t hurt, Joseph,” Rena responded.
All eyes turned to Joseph.
“McKayla, what’s going on with you and Rory?”
“Uhmmm, well.”
“She hasn’t worked with me, sir,” Rory blurted out.
Joseph’s eyes darted toward me.
“That’s because my piece is almost done.”
“How much?” Joseph questioned.
“Two more questions, and then it’s being written up for you.”
“I specifically asked you to work with Rory.” Joseph dropped his pen and notepad on the table and leaned back in his chair.
“Joseph, everyone knows Rory would never get anywhere near the Calabresi family.”
“Yeah, because you’re sleeping with the leader.” A few people murmured in a hushed tone when Rory muttered under his breath. As I cleared my throat, I rested upright in the chair and glared at him.
“My personal life has nothing to do with my job,” I lied. It wouldn’t make it easier if I explained the reasons for Savio and me getting married. I didn’t care for him, but I didn’t want to get him hurt because of my actions.
“Time is slipping away, so I need everything on my desk immediately,” Joseph demanded.
“But Joseph—”
He cut me off.
“Either you have it on my desk or turn everything over to Rory.”
“I understand.”
“All right. Meeting adjourned. Go find the story; don’t let it find you.”
Everybody stood. Rena came into eyesight, rubbing my arm.
“Joseph’s trying to throw his weight around; don’t let him get to you.” Rena bumped my hip and wrapped her arms around me in comfort.
“Ughhh… Maybe I should give up the story.”
“What! No! You’ve come too far.”
As I walked to my desk, I tossed my notebooks on top. Rory walked out of the conference room, talking shit when a few people pointed at me.
“How about I treat you to lunch? Forget about him and Joseph,” Rena offered.
“I’m going to head home for the day.”
“Lunch first, then you can go home.”
“Enzo can bring you back up here.”
Rena stepped over to her desk and picked up her jacket and keys as I packed up to leave.
“Is Enzo single?” Rena queried.
“I’m in enough drama. Please don’t go there.”
Her head swung back in laughter.
I pushed the front entrance door open and stepped off the curb to get in the waiting SUV that Savio demanded I ride around in when he wasn’t with me.
“Have you talked to your parents?”
“Not since I’ve been back from Italy. I plan on calling one more time today.” I buckled my seatbelt and closed the door.
“I know your parents love you. They’ll come around.”
` The car pulled into traffic, and we chatted about my trip with Savio when suddenly, a loud pop was heard.
“What was that?”
Bang!
“Aghhh!”
The car swerved left and right.
“Hold on!” The passenger window rolled down, and they started shooting.
“Shit! They’re shooting at us,” Rena screamed.
“Oh my God!”
“Get down!” my bodyguard shouted.
Pop! Pop!
I closed my eyes, and the first thing that flashed before them was Savio and I in Italy. Then I prayed my family would be okay. I know I’d disappointed them, but I hoped this wouldn’t cause more heartache and distance.
Present time.
I tried to sit up in the hospital bed, but I was too sore to even lift my arm. Adelina and Rena were chatting when the nurse came back in to check my vitals.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Sore, sleepy.” I tried to reach for the cup of water.
“Let me get that for you,” Adelina said.
I was grateful she came when everything happened. Savio stormed in like a rampage, demanding to see me. I’d never been in this type of position. The sounds of the tires screeching, the windows blowing out. Then I woke up with a bandage on my head, and my arm and ribs were attached to monitors.
“Are you hungry, dear?” the nurse asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll grab you something; this hospital food is drab.” Rena stood, stretched her arms, and strolled over to hug me.
“Adelina, you don’t have to stay.”
“I promised Savio.”
I rolled my eyes at hearing his name brought up.
“I can see in your eyes, you’re angry with him,” Adelina said.
“My life was simple before him.”
“Your life is different, I understand.” Adelina covered my palm.
“I want a divorce.”
Rena and Adelina locked eyes.
“Get some food in your stomach and rest.” Rena tapped my leg and walked out.
“Did my parents come by?” I questioned.
“Yes, earlier when you were brought in.” Adelina poured more water in my cup.
“I’ll call them tomorrow.”
The cell phone on top of the desk in the corner of the room vibrated.
“It’s probably Savio,” Adelina said.
“Can you turn it off?”
“He probably wants to know if you’re doing okay.”
“I just need space.”
“Well, get some rest.”
After eating, I dozed off and woke up bright and early to more yelling the next day.
“Sir, you are blocked from entering her room.”
“Either you move out of my way, or you’ll find your family gone in the blink of a phone call.”
“What’s going on here?” I heard Adelina ask.
“He’s on a list to not be around, Mrs. Calabresi,” the nurse explained.
“You hit the nail, Mrs. Calabresi, my wife. Now get the fuck out my way,” Savio growled. Sante held him back, and the nurse held her hand up in shock and walked back around the desk.
“Savio!” I shouted, trying to get out of the bed.
“McKayla, sit down. It’s okay.” Adelina walked in and dropped a bag of food on the counter, then helped me get back in bed.
“McKayla, listen to me.” Savio tried to talk to me, but I blew him off.
“McKayla, just listen please,” Adelina pleaded.
I looked from Adelina to Savio and sighed.
“Fine, talk.”
“Whoever did this to you will pay.”
“You did this to me.”
Clenching his jaw, he tried to hide his anger.
“When can I leave?”
“The doctor said you can come home today,” Savio answered.
“I’m going to my apartment.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Okay, you two. Stop it. This isn’t helping,” Adelina barked.
` We exchanged glares.
“I can take care of myself.”
` Savio bent down, cupped my chin, and pecked my lips.
“I’ll have the car brought around.”