Page 19 of Wild Card
Lorenzo mutters something else but then disappears. I feel a hand on my forehead again, fingers stroking through my hair.
“You must have an infection.”
Gio’s cool hands roam my feet and my legs. He looks at the contusion on my shin.
More curses in Italian.
His touch is comforting. How sad is it that someone, even someone holding me against my will, treats me with the smallest bit of gentleness and I’m ready to forget my terrible circumstances?
Maybe my father’s right. Maybe I am a pathetic slut.
“Catriona,” Gio tips my chin up.
“Hmm?”
Something buzzes in his pocket. My phone? Is it my father? He pulls it out, looks at it and frowns, and then pulls the battery before dropping it back in his pocket.
“Your brother’s angry,” he says, smiling wryly.
Is he? Which one? Angry at me? I’m sure they’re taking the brunt of my father’s fury at this situation, one I’m sure he blames me for. His loathing me makes it dangerous for my brothers to help me—he’d just make their lives a living hell. It doesn’t seem like I’m worth the trouble. Isn’t that what my ex had said?
I drift off to sleep, and when I wake up, I hear voices.
“We have to take her to the hospital Lorenzo. She’s too sick to stay here.”
“No fucking way. We need that money!”
“If she dies, she’s not going to bring in any money.”
Gio’s voice is thick with disgust as he argues with his uncle. He hears me stir and looks down at me, his brow furrowed, concern still evident in his dark brown eyes.
“I’m taking her to my place and calling a doctor.” I watch with a detached curiosity, like they’re talking about someone else.
Lorenzo starts to protest again.
“Who do you think you are, that you can tell me shit after everything you’ve done?” Gio’s commanding tone finally gets his uncle to back down.
“Fine. I know a guy. He was good friends with your dad. Christ, why won’t that stingy mother fucker pay to get her back? He hasn’t even made a statement to the press.”
“You knew he was a demon, Lorenzo. Does it really surprise you that he doesn’t give a shit about his own kid?”
It doesn’t surprise me at all.
I’ve always been loud and lively, not the dainty little virginal daughter he could market to high-value prospective sons-in-law. I don’t want to make myself smaller. Why should I have to make myself smaller?
But I’m shrinking anyway.
I hear a new voice, and I’m not quite sure where I am. I’m too tired to even be scared anymore.
A cool hand touches my lips.
“Just going to take your temperature.”
I feel the thermometer slide in.
“She’s got a high fever, Gio. Are you sure you can’t take her to the hospital?”
“It’s not safe for her there. Freddie’s watching.”
