Finding Her

C H A P T E R - E I G H T

Bruises

V A L E R I U S ' P O V :

"Carlo should be here any moment now." John tells me.

Blood is beginning to drip through the cloth and down Ellie's forehead, into her eye. This is doing absolutely nothing now.

I need to lay her down.

I pick her up and she lets out a sob. "I know, baby. You're doing so good." I praise. I lay her down on the bed and sit down next to her.

I turn to John who looks just as concerned as I am. "I need you to hold back my family for as long as you can." I tell him.

"Yes, Don." John nods before setting my phone down and rushing out of the room.

A cool, wet rag lays nicely on Ellie's face. Her eyes wire shut. She's definitely in pain but it's not the worst she ever felt, sadly.

I just want to take her pain away.

It's unfair that she's hurting.

Just four minutes later the door opens and Carlo walks in with his travel case. I let go of the breath I was holding in.

Carlo rushes over and sits his case on the bed. "Hi, Miss Eleonora." He says, trying to distract her while he opens his case.

I lean Ellie back more and she whines in discomfort. The cloth gets taken off for Carlo to see the wound. Blood pours out strongly. Carlo places a clean cloth underneath the cut so the blood won't get in her eyes.

He inspects it quickly before pressing the clean cloth over her wound. He snaps a glove on his left hand.

Ellie chokes on another sob. "Can't you give her something for the pain?" I plead.

"It won't kick in for a little but yes." He grabs a type of pink liquid and pours it into a small cup.

"Drink this, baby." I say but she shakes her head no. "It will make you feel better. I promise." She finally nods in agreement. I rub her back to soothe her. Our hands twist together while Carlo puts on numbing cream.

Ellie tries to not freak out when Carlo starts with the stitching. After the first stitch I hear yelling coming from downstairs.

My family is here.

I keep my cool for Ellie but inside I'm beyond annoyed. I didn't want them to find out like this.

The needle pinches her skin again and Ellie flinches back. I reassure her that she's doing a great job.

"Mrs. Armani, it's in you best interest to step away from that door." I hear John say.

He can't touch my mamma, he can't touch any of us in a harmful manner. If he does, he'll be dead, that's how the rules work. So, I know mamma is not going to be stopped.

Can't you just mind your business mamma? Not everything revolves around you.

"No! He is my son. I have the right to know what's going on!" Mom shouts at John and Ellie squeezes my fingers tighter. I just keep whispering soft encouragements in her ear, hoping this will be over soon.