I felt a bit dazed and my left leg hurt like hell, butIwas mostly tired.
“Well, you were, soIguess that’s natural,” she said back to me with a smirk. “How’syour pain level?Doyou want some water?”
I just nodded in return since talking was a bit difficult.
She handed me a small bottle of water and told me to take small sips. “I’lllet the doctor know you’re awake, and he can discuss pain meds with you,” she told me, andIjust nodded sleepily back to her.
I must have dozed off again, because the next thingIknew,Iwas hearing voices around me, andIawoke to the doctor and nurse from before talking.
“Hello,Mr.Papadopoulos.I’myour surgeon,” said the man standing next to me.
He filled me in on how my surgery had gone and what my recovery would be.Therecovery did not sound fun, especially the rehab part, butIwas happy to be alive.
“You feel up to visitors?” the nurse asked me. “Yourwife and cousin have been waiting to come in, butIcan delay them longer if you’d like to sleep.”
My wife.Damn, it would never get old to hearAcelisted as my wife.
“You can send them in,”Itold her, eager to see them both.
Unfortunately,Ifell asleep shortly after she left the room.
* * *
Everybody and their brother had been in my hospital room over the last few hours.CaptainKerrigan,Coleman,Sara—basically everyone involved in the operation had stopped by for at least a brief moment.
Hector had also stopped by, which gave me a chance to finally talk to him about his brother.
“I’m so sorry aboutManny,”Itold him.
“Thanks,” he replied. “I’vegot some closure now withGiovanniand several other assholes dead.”
I felt bad for not knowing who he was or recognizing him, butIhad never actually met him—only seen photosMannyhad shown me.
I found out he hadn’t known aboutManny’sdeath until several days after the funeral because he was knee deep in an overseas mission.Ifelt terrible for him.
Hector andVincehad filled me in on everything with the case.Thecraziest part had been what happenedafterIwas shot.
According toKerriganandSara, whenRoccocame to bailJoeyout, he filled him in on everything.Joeymade a few other calls to people who were sympathetic and loyal to him.Fromthere, he orchestrated a hit on his brother.Therewas a standoff at one of their other safe houses.Manyshots were fired, and there were several casualties.ThePaganoFamilyessentially destroyed itself from within.Thelast updateKerriganhad given me was that the only living truePaganofamily members left were now the father, who was on his deathbed from his previous cancer diagnosis, and one cousin who wanted nothing to do with the family business.
That meantAceandIwere free and clear.ThePaganoFamilysyndicate was no longer a threat to us or anyone else.
“Good to see you’re still in one piece,”Sarasaid, walking over to my hospital bed.
I grinned back at her. “I’mtougher thanIlook.”
“Good to hear.”Shesmiled back. “I’mgonna head out, butI’vescheduled you a private plane home with your cousin andAnnain three days.Ihave to go back tonight, soIwon’t be with you.”
I thanked her becauseIwas more than grateful for the free plane ride from the feds.
My nurse came in shortly after to check on my vitals. “Youlook tired.Youneed me to kick these people out?”
I smiled at her, appreciating her foresight, and decidedIwould take her up on it.
There were five other people in my room, and while it was nice to get an update on the case, there was only one personIwanted to see, and she was currently tucked into the far corner of the room, quietly talking on her phone.
“I’d love it if you could kick everyone but my wife out,”Isaid, grinning.
“Can do, but no funny business with the wife,” she said, winking back at me.
