Reputation's Memories (Book 2)

Ch. 18 Sisters

Chapter 18

"Which hospital?" Luca looked at Carla as she climbed into the back of the ambulance.

"Presbyterian," Carla said. "Go grab Daisy. Meet me there as soon as you can."

Luca nodded. The hard lump in his throat suffocated him as he heard the doors of the ambulance slam shut and the sirens turn on. He stepped back as they took off down the street, rushing Gia to the hospital.

"How could you?" Daisy's voice pulled Luca out of his head.

He looked over his shoulder as the blonde marched up to Angelo with fire in her eyes. Her hands were clenched at her side as if she too was trying to hold on to reality.

"She's your daughter!" Daisy yelled. "You're supposed to prote-"

Before Luca could comprehend what had happened, Angelo raised his hand and struck Daisy across the face. Someone on the street began to yell as another woman gasped.

The bone crushing chill that spread over Luca's body was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. He didn't know how he moved so quickly as he shoved his father back and stepped in front of Daisy, shielding her from the man's eyes.

"How dare you fuckin' touch her?" Luca stepped forward as Angelo landed against a parked car and quickly regained his balance.

"Luca!" The man yelled, shocked by his son's actions.

"It's always the same anger, isn't it?" Luca asked, his eyes narrowed and dropping with anger. "I've watched this anger of your's slowly kill my mother bit by bit."

"Stop getting so fuckin' emotional, damn it," Angelo snapped. "What are you? A fuckin' pussy? You gonna cry now?"

Luca clenched his jaw the same way Daisy had balled her hands into fists. He felt her grip his arm from behind as he did his best to keep her as far away from the two of them as he possibly could.

"She's out there trashing the family name and you want to protect her?" Angelo questioned. "It's your name. Your family!"

"Not another word about Gia," Luca warned.

"Don't fuckin' threaten me, boy," Angelo laughed. "You do as I say. I'm the head of this famil-"

"If anything happens to Gia," Luca said through his teeth. "I'll forget you're my father and I will end you."

"Those are some big words," Angelo shook his head. "You can't handle the weight of those words."

"Try me," Luca warned. "You really want to see the difference between my mother's son and the one you raised? Because I'll fuckin' show you."

"You're nothing," Angelo snared. "I'll remember this. And when time comes, I'll kill her and this one behind you right in front of your eyes."

"Leave," Luca said. "Or I will kill you right here, right now."

"You're a fool, Luca," Angelo said. "You'll regret this. You're throwing everything away."

Luca didn't respond. He took hold of Daisy's arm and guided her onto the sidewalk, his eyes trailing his father and watching him until the man got into his car and drove off. When he was sure there was no danger of a window rolling down and gunshots firing, Luca turned towards Daisy and pulled her under the streetlight.

"Let me see," he said, tilting her face up to the light to see her cheek. The skin on Daisy's cheek was red and tender. The corner of her eyes were wet as if she was too stunned to shed tears from the obvious pain Angelo had caused her. Luca felt a wave of new rage roll over him as he slowly raised his hand and touched the edge of Daisy's face.