Chapter 12 - THE HOSPITAL ROOM
The private VIP wing of Chicago General Hospital was heavily secured.
Four of Luca's armed guards stood outside Room 402.
Inside, my mother rested comfortably in a motorized bed, an IV drip feeding fluids into her arm.
The doctor assured us her spinal fusion was intact.
She had suffered no permanent damage.
I sat in a leather armchair beside the bed, holding her hand.
The door opened softly, and Luca walked in carrying a paper bag.
"How is she?" he asked quietly.
"Sleeping," I smiled, looking up at him.
"The doctor said she'll make a full recovery."
Luca placed the bag on the side table.
"Soup from that Italian place downtown. You need to eat."
"Thank you, Mr. Moretti."
"Claire." He raised an eyebrow.
I corrected myself with a small smile.
"Thank you, Luca."
He pulled up a chair beside mine.
"Rebecca is being transferred to a federal holding facility."
"What about Arthur Vance?"
"Collaborating with prosecutors. He gave us the names of every syndicate boss involved."
"It sounds like it's finally over."
Luca looked down at his hands.
"For them, yes."
"What do you mean?"
"My mother wants to talk to us back at the mansion tonight."
"About what?"
"She said it's time to restructure the entire family council."
"With you involved."
I stared at him in surprise.
"Me? I'm just a maid."
"You saved my mother's life at the dinner table," Luca said firmly.
"You protected my daughter when everyone else abandoned her."
"You stood your ground against armed men."
"You earned your place at our table, Claire."
My heart fluttered nervously against my ribs.
"I don't know what to say."
May you like
"Don't say anything yet," Luca smiled softly.
"Let's get your mother settled first."
