Unforeseen

Chapter VIII

"Are you okay?" Nicholas asked. 

"Please continue," I said, ignoring his question.

"Okay..." I wasn't quite sure what exactly his hesitation meant but I knew not to waste my breath asking because he wouldn't tell me anyway. "After having some people ask around there seemed to be no truth to it. I felt I still took precaution by sendingin some extra hands though, to be on guard from a distance and watch just in case something was to indeed happen." He stopped to take a look down at his hands. "When I had gotten the call, I was a wreck. I tore out of here as if my life depended on it, but it did. It did depend on me getting there. My first thought was I have to get there now for you. I can't let you down again, I can't let you get hurt.So, I drove as fast as I could to get there. Upon arrival, I found out that not only most of my men had already fled the scene but also the extra hands I had assigned to stand guard never showed up. They had all been paid off by another family."

 "Paid off by who?" I asked inching towards the edge of my seat.

"It doesn't matter, we found out all the people who had been involved, and we took care of everyone, it's not a concern anymore." Nicholas 51kept his eyes looking off in the distance. I picturedhim running through a catalog of faces in his mind. A slideshow of those who were involved and had been disposed of. 

I sat there silently, staring off into space, "What happened next?"

"When I got there Danny was in rough shape, he was worse off than what I was hoping for. I tried to apply pressure to his chest to hold the bleeding from the bullet wounds but to no avail. He had lost so much blood. He was physically drained and losingconsciousness. It was just going downhill so quickly; I didn't know what to do. There was nothing more that I could do, but I was beginning topanic anyway. I was attempting to finish wrapping up what I could, just long enough to hold him until we got to the hospital, but he died in my arms before I could finish. The last word he mumbledwas your name."

As much as I hate to admit when Nicholas is right, I did need that handkerchief, tears poured uncontrollably from my eyes. It took some time for me to get control of my emotions so that I could call myself composed enough to move forward. After some time, I finally calmed down and allowed Nicholas to continue.  

"I know this is very hard for you, and I'm sorry about that, are you sure you are okay to continue?" I was taken back by how much he cared. I hadn't heard him speak this softly and have this much compassion towards me in many years.

"Yes, I'm fine I want to know it all no matter how much it hurts," I said between hard sniffles.

 "Believe it or not I was in a rage. It started because I knew I had to get rid of Danny's body and that was painful enough knowing that when I did come and tell you what had happened those events alone wouldn't be enough; I would still have to explain that part too. I would have to look you in the eye and tell you that you would be unable to see the body one last time as I had to dispose of it. Afterwe took care of him, what little men I did have there, questioned me about what I was going to do with the lookouts that never showed. Since I was already covered in blood and filth, I figured I might as well get the rest of my frustration out and tie upall the loose ends. My men were happy with this decision, they genuinely liked Danny and had beenangered that certain individuals had stooped to this level. When I got home, I was still violently acting out, not towards others, just in a room by myself. Itwas the realization that I was that much closer to the time when I had to tell you. I wasn't ready but I knew I had to. I couldn't let you hear it from someone else's mouth. Then that's when I came and told you the news and you know what happened from there...are there any other questions I may answer for you?" he asked throwing back a glass of half-filled whiskey.

I began to stammer trying to find words even searching the floor for them. My brain had goneinto overdrive and was shutting down on me all while I was still trying to process all the information that I had just heard. But it seemed like he had covered everything I had wanted to know except for two things.

"Well...what happened at the flower shop...when I lost consciousness?" I asked.

"You fell face down pretty hard. Directly on your stomach and smashed your face against the floor it was quite horrible to watch. I was so far away I couldn't reach you in time to catch you. The thought never crossed my mind that you hearing thenews would overwhelm you so much you would pass out, but when I got you to the hospital a few nurses at the station told me this can sometimes happen to pregnant women when they are under severe stress. That's pretty much it, I mean I was afraid to touch you, but when I called for an ambulance, they had so many emergencies that it was going to be too long for my liking until helpwas sent our way to get you. I feared that might be too late. So, I scooped you up, flew to the hospital, dropped you off, and left. I didn't think it would be a good idea for me to still be there when you woke up. However, I did keep tabs on you through those coupes days but that was the extent of it."

Lorenzo had quietly crept into the room sneaking up on us both. "I'm sorry to interrupt but dinner is ready if you would please," he said motioning towards the staircase.

I was stuck somewhere between starvation and sickness. Part of me hadn't even realized how hungry I was until that moment; my appetite came out of nowhere as my belly began to rumble, but the other part of me had a stomach full of rope knots and didn't know if I would be able to eat anything at all, let alone keep it down.

"Staying for dinner?" Nicholas asked me once more.

"Yes...I think I might." Although I already agreed to stay, my mind was hesitant whether it was a good idea or not.

"Good, after you then," he said.

"Actually, I would rather you lead the wayNicholas if you'd be so kind." 

 "Very well if that is what you wish," he said walking off.