“No. We’re just a bunch of strangers. What the fuck do you think?” I snapped.
Dr. Morgan didn’t flinch, her blue eyes clear of fear. It was as if she was accustomed to families lashing out.
“For fuck’s sake, Nico,” Alphonse mumbled, but I paid him no mind and turned back to my girl.
“I’m her father, and yes, we are all family,” he explained. “What’s wrong with my daughter?”
Dr. Morgan took a deep breath, her expression shifting to one of deep concern. “I want to be completely transparent with you about Gigi's condition. She has endured unimaginable trauma.”
My heart sank as I pulled my hand away from Gigi’s, careful not to hurt her delicate fingers. Clenching my fists in my lap, I prepared myself for what was to come.
“Not to mention the long-term effects of her trauma,” she continued, her eyes searching ours. “It’s crucial that she sees a counselor as soon as she wakes up.”
The doctor went on to list all the injuries that my angel sustained.
Malnourished…
Multiple contusions and lacerations…
Hairline fracture on her forearm…
Broken fingers that did not heal properly…
A few fingernails torn off…
Penetrating wounds to the soles of the feet...
“Stop.” I was barely holding on, and the fragile line of hope was rapidly unraveling with every second that passed.
There was a special place in hell reserved for people like the Puppet Master, and I intended to make sure he knew he’d earned a front-row seat.
The doctor spoke again. “I need you all to be prepared because Gigi will experience flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.”
Resting my head against the cool metal of the bed rail, I clutched it firmly. I closed my eyes tightly, desperately trying to block out the vivid images the doctor had painted in my mind.
The images of what my baby endured were like a horror film trapped in a Viewmaster. The images changed every time I closed my eyes, each more vivid and agonizing than the last. Had she called out to me to rescue her? The thought that I wasn’t there to protect her from every mark that fucker put on her beautiful body and the damage he’d done to her mind made me sick.
A superhero would save the world, but a villain would go to the depths of hell and burn the world to save his girl. I was the motherfucking villain in this story because the devil wouldalwaysrisk the world to protect his little angel.
“There’s one more thing,” the doctor said. “She was pregnant and lost the baby at some point. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
A collective, guttural growl rippled through the room, followed by sharp, furious intakes of breath and muttered curses.
Her words felt like a punch to my chest, and I could barely process them.
Pregnant?
My baby?
Dead?
“I think we need to start considering what’s best for Gigi,” Enzo said, his silhouette framed in the doorway.
My body tensed at his implication.
“I’m sorry, sir. You can’t be in here if you’re not family,” Dr. Morgan interjected, taking a step forward as if to block Enzo from entering.
Enzo pulled out his badge and held it in front of the doctor. “I’m with the FBI and Gigi is part of my investigation.” He tucked the badge back into his pocket, then turned to me, his gaze intense. “You know I’m right.”
