When Tempo doesn’t reply at first, I stare him down to be sure I’m making myself clear. “Do you have a problem carrying out the direct orders you’re being given?”
His pale blue eyes take on an icy cast. “No, sir. I’ll keep them safe.”
I glance over my shoulder to where Memphis stands near Eden. “With your life, if necessary. Got me?”
Tempo gives me a short nod. “Understood, sir.”
As the brothers back away, a surgeon enters the waiting room. “Lorenzo Angelini’s family?”
No one steps forward, and when it’s clear no one plans to, I do.
“Right here.”
The surgeon doesn’t ask for any further identifying information. “Mr. Angelini is out of surgery and stable. However, he came out of his anesthesia very quickly and is agitated. If you could speak to him and explain that he’s not leaving this hospital, you’ll save him from getting sedated again right away. We can’t take the chance that he’s going to tear his stitches. Internal bleeding is a concern.”
“Where is he?” Enzo is the least of my worries, but the sooner everyone connected to the Casso family is out of the hospital, the better. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, and that’s Enzo, as far as I’m concerned.
“Follow me.”
Memphis reaches out, and I briefly touch her fingers as I pass and follow the surgeon out of the room to see Enzo.
As soon as we enter, I can tell why the surgeon looks so concerned. Enzo is on his feet, despite the fact that he’s weaving from side to side.
“Sit your ass down, Enzo. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
The doctor says, “Please, Mr.—”
“I’m going after those motherfuckers. I’m gonna kill ’em all. No one puts a bullet in me without getting a face full of lead.” Enzo rips wires off the leads connected to his chest, and shoves at the nurse trying to stop him. “Get out of my fucking way, bitch.”
I stalk toward him. “Sit the fuck down, Enzo. You want to make it through surgery just to die now? Fucking idiot.”
Enzo bares his teeth like a wild animal. “Youcan’t stop me. Who the fuck do you think you are?”
“Mr. Angelini, you’re very upset, we understand. But you’re going to cause yourself more injuries if you don’t—”
Enzo charges at the nurse and she knocks into the IV pole, sending it crashing to the floor.
“I’m calling security,” the doctor shouts, rushing to the panel on the wall.
“Sedate him,” I say, offering a hand to the nurse to help her up.
The two hospital employees trade looks, and the doctor nods to the nurse. “Do it. Use restraints if necessary.”
Enzo wobbles on his feet, his arms flying out from his sides as he looks for something to keep him upright.
Alarms sound in the room, and footsteps pound down the hall as Enzo drops to the floor and codes.
Great. Just fucking great.
29
Cannon
Enzo isn’t dead, but he’s lucky as hell.
With the exception of Holly, I gather everyone in a private waiting room to tell them what’s happening next.
When I’ve got everyone’s attention, I start. “Until we have identified and neutralized the threat responsible for us all standing in this waiting room, we’re all taking precautions.”