CHAPTER 27 - REALITY BITES

Romeo POV:

Its been a half hour and our families arrived, this part of the floor is private enough for all the Mafia men in one place. I stand as I see Dimitri, Gino and Malina, Alina's mother. She looks so much like Alina, except she has more grey eyes than blue, same long black hair, she's just much older. This is so messed up, it's like I'm seeing my girl, but it's just an illusion.

Dimitri is the first to speak. "How's my sister?" He asks, worriedly.

"She's stable for now, if she gets through the next fifteen hours she's out of the woods," I answer my voice cracking.

"Can we see her?" Alina's mother asks and I stare at her coldly, I can't deny her, it's her daughter. "Yes, only two at a time but I'm sure all three you can go in." They nod. I notice Gio hasn't said anything. "Gio," I call as Dimitri and Malina go inside.

He stops and turns toward me. "Yeah?" he answers.

"I know you were the closest with Alina, I am so sorry I wasn't there, and to meet like this, I don't know what to say," I say looking down.

"Romeo, from what I understand you were stuck in traffic, there's not much anyone could have done, we both know that if someone wanted to do this it would have happened whether it was now or next year. I can't say I'm not angry," Gio says looking straight at me.

"I understand, my world stopped when I saw her," I say in a whisper and he pays me on the back.

"I know, Alina has a way of creeping into your heart no matter how you try not to feel, she's one in a million, I love my sister so much, as I'm sure you do too," Gio says sombrely and I nod acknowledging him and he turns to head inside.

I stand by the door and watch as they cry over my beautiful Lina. For once her mother is acting like a mother, I turn away and give them some privacy. Just then my father, brother and sister come barrelling through the door. My mother pulls me into a hug, and that's all I need as she pulls me into the private room next door, and I cry into her shoulder, I have never cried in front of anyone, but right now I don't care. "Let it out baby, let it all out," my mother says softly and I do, finally a half hour later, my dad enters to find us sitting not really speaking.

"Romeo?" He calls, my mother leaves us to talk.

"Papa?" I answer and he gives me a short hug and pat on the back.

"I know this is hard, you have to stay strong, do you have any leads?" He asks.

"Yes, you are not going to like it," I say looking down, and my father shows me to continue with just one look. "We think it was Angel, Daniel would never do this, you know what happened to his sister," I say rubbing my face, my father looks murderous.

"I'm sorry, this is all my fault, I should never have let him leave Italy, I couldn't handle him anymore. I told him to leave, he got into trouble again with the Mexican Cartel that killed his parents, he was on the run and came to me for help, I said no and banned him from stepping foot in Italy again. He must have come to you for help." Dad says sighing.

"He told me it was the French, fucking liar," I answer bitterly.

"He lies, cheats and steals, he makes bad deals. That boy is trouble, he doesn't deserve the De Luca name," my father spits in anger. I nod,

"I wish you could have met Alina under better circumstances, but I'm so glad you are here papa. He's in the wind, I have men searching," I say frustrated.

"I will run things while you take care of your girl, and let you know everything we find, si?" Dad says.

"Si", I answer and my sister comes barrelling into the room, and just hugs me. "Calmate, Issy", I whisper. She sniffs and smiles.

"I missed you, I'm sorry this happened," she says holding my hand, I give a small smile and squeeze her hand. Mom, dad, Issy and myself visit with Alina and they speak to her family, and dad takes his leave with Issy, and mom. Its so stressful.

"Dario, Luc, you report to dad and me. He will do all the things I cannot for now, thank you for taking care of things so far," they nod and take their leave. Vince and Al are here to look after Alina, she deserves the best. Leo and Mari come and go, and I finally go back to see my girl, he room is filled with flowers, bears and cards, some balloons too. She would love it.

"Mr De Luca," I turn to see the doctor. I nod, "we need to take Alina for a scan to see if her brain swelling is going down."

"Ok doc, but she has security at all times, no negotiation," I say deathly calm, but he doesn't challenge me and nods. It takes over an hour and she's back, the prognosis is good so far, but not out the woods yet.

The next week is hell, families coming and going, everyone staying at the hotel. Alina is out of the woods and they should be waking her up soon, I have barely ate or slept, working out of the hospital room. It's Saturday its been six days now, but we are close to capturing Angel.

"Mr De Luca, since your wife is breathing on her own now, it's time we give your wife the medication to wake her up, she's doing wonderfully, we don't know if she will have any problems when she wakes, memory wise. So prepare for the worst," I sigh running my hands through my hair.

"Ok," I say struggling to hold onto my sanity. The doc injects the medication and says to give her twenty four hours, it's up to her when she wakes. Now it's a waiting game. I called her family and mine to tell them the news and they are all over joyed with the news.

"Romeo?" Luc peaks in the room.

"Luc?" I reply wondering why he's here and gesture him to come in.

"We caught him," that's all Luc says, and now I can't wait to kill the fucker!

"Good work, has dad or anyone spoken to him?" I ask.

"No, we have in lock up, we will leave it to you when you are ready," Luc says smiling. I feel relief for the first time on a week.

I rub Alina's hand, "we have him amore, I will kill him, for what he has done to you," I kiss her hand and I hope she can hear me. I decide to call Gio and ask him if he will stay with Alina for an hour or two since I need to go home and change. It will be the first time going back to the house and not hotel. I have to get some of my and Alina's things and I have asked Leo to look out for new houses on the market so we can move, he has sent me links which I have yet to look at. I know Alina won't want to go back there.

I arrive at the house and Tino opens the car door for me, it's so surreal being back here. I walk up the steps and unlock the door and walk in. Everything is normal, nothing out of place, I walk slowly to the bedroom and pause by the door. I take a deep breath and push it open, I walk inside the room, it's immaculately clean, too clean I guess, no broken vase, no petals, new carpet with no blood and wine, even new bedding. I stand on the empty room and I can still see Alina laying there helpless, bleeding out and barely breathing. I ball may hands into a fist and take a breath, I walk into our closet and take out two travel bags and place it on the island, I start packing some of my things and put a few suits into garment bags so it doesn't ruin. When I'm done packing my things I turn to Alina's side of the closet, seeing all her things hung up nearly, her shoes in the racks provided, it's too much and I feel a tear slip. I don't remember a time I have cried as much as this past week.

I can smell her perfume on some of her things, her coats mostly. I miss her so much, her laugh, her eye rolls, her touch. I get on with it and pack her some comfortable sweats, tights, jeans, flats and boots. I pack in some hoodies, and loose fitting tops, some of my jumpers, because I know she loves those. I pack some underwear and pyjamas and new robes. I let out a sigh as finish packing the last of her things. Tino comes to help me once I'm done and we carry the bags to the car, and drop them all off at the hotel penthouse. This will be home for now.

I make my way back to the hospital after a shower and change of clothes, buying some Thai food for myself and Gio on the way, I walk in and see Gio, stroking her hand, he must not have heard me but I hear him speak. "Baby sis, I miss you much, I can't believe this happened to you. I blamed Romeo for letting this happen, but I know it's not his fault, he can't control everything that happens. He's a good man, well at least he's good for you, none of us are really good men. I want you to come back to us all, it's going to be a long road sis, but we will all be here and you have Romeo waiting for you. Can you believe mom is here too? Acting like a mom, not even dolled up, you should see it. Anyway I'm sorry, Romeo will be here soon, I love you baby sis." He finishes and kisses her forehead.

I wait a few minutes and walk into the room and Gio looks up. "Hey Gio, I bought some food, hungry?" I ask.

"Starving," he chuckles.

"How's Lina?" I ask kissing her cheek, and we settle by the small coffee table and couch. We take out the containers.

"She's doing well, she has a lot more colour today, the bruises look a bit better and her nose is less bruised too," Gio sighs and I pat him on the back.

"I know man, I feel the same way. Even worse probably, I keep thinking I should have been there. I can't change the past but I hope I can do better in the future," I say and Gio nods. We eat in a comfortable silence while I check my mail on my laptop, and Gio and I chat a bit more and its time for him to leave.

It's after eight pm but in all honestly I barely even check the time anymore. I work as much as I can here with Lina. Toscano sent flowers and so did the French and Spanish Mafia, surprisingly. I guess they have wives or girlfriends and know they would feel the same. I fall asleep on the chair and wake up just after midnight holding Lina's hand. Lupe has checked on her and says she's doing well, and takes her leave. I sit holding her hand and going through some of the houses and put an offer in, when I hear a soft groan and a squeeze on my hand.

My eyes shoot up, "Lina baby?" I whisper almost afraid I'm imagining myself. I hear a louder groan and I see her eyes scrunch and she tries to open them. It takes a couple of tries but eventually I see those beautiful blue eyes.

"Lina baby, oh my God you're awake," she squints at me.

"Romeo?" She whispers.

"Bella, I'm so happy to see those beautiful eyes!" I say as my tears fall and I kiss her lips.

She pushes my hand away weakly. "Don't touch me," she whispers.

"Lina?" I whisper and my heart falls.