Page 31 of Beneath the Shadows

“No. You’re not.”

“Yes, I am.”

I grab the back of my neck, feeling the strain. “I don’t have time for this right now.”

“You’re right,” she says, her tone softening. “Go get your mom. I’ll get Domenica.”

Alessia’s dark brown eyes, full of determination, meet mine. “Fine,” I agree reluctantly. “But don’t leave her house until I get there.”

She lowers her arms before turning and hurrying toward Uncle Gio’s house.

Dealing with Rico will have to wait—right now, getting to the hospital is all that matters. Once Alessia is safely inside, I head into my parents' house to get my mother.

Antonio

The ride to the hospital is tense. Aunt Domenica sits in the back seat, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, while my mother holds her, whispering soft reassurances. Alessia, in the front passenger seat, casts worried glances my way every few minutes. It's clear she has a hundred questions, but she stays silent.

Cecilia's still in class, unaware of what’s happening. Dante's on his way to inform her and bring her to the hospital.

When we arrive at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, the sterile smell of antiseptic greets us as soon as we step inside. The harsh fluorescent lights and stark white walls do nothing to calm our frayed nerves. At the check-in desk, I give my uncle’s name. The receptionist nods somberly and makes a quick phone call.

Within minutes, a nurse arrives and leads us through the corridors to a private waiting room, away from the chaos of the emergency department. Inside, I find my father pacing restlessly.

“Marco,” my mom cries, hurrying over to him. He wraps his arms around her as she breaks down.

“Shh,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Gio’s strong. He’ll pull through.”

Even as he says the words, I see the doubt clouding his eyes.

“I need to be with him,” Aunt Domenica whispers, her voice trembling with desperation.

“The doctor said he’ll be out when they’ve stabilized him,” Dad explains. “Until then, all we can do is wait.”

Alessia gently takes Domenica’s arm, guiding her to an empty seat. My mother joins them, offering quiet comfort. Moving to the doorway, I watch as medical staff move briskly through the halls.

A gurney rolls past, the patient groaning in pain beneath an oxygen mask. Across the hall, an elderly couple sits together in another waiting room, the woman gently stroking the man’s hand. Their silent companionship, filled with decades of shared history, is both touching and heart-wrenching.

The intercom crackles, announcing a code blue from another part of the emergency department. A team of doctors and nurses rush by, their focus determined, ready to face the crisis head-on.

People pass by, each face reflecting a different story—hope, fear, or exhaustion. A young mother cradles her child, whispering soothing words as a nurse checks the little one’s vitals. Nearby, a middle-aged man paces, speaking in hushed tones over the phone. Every moment reminds me of the fragile balance between life and death.

I’m about to move when my father steps up beside me.

“Are you holding up okay?” he asks, his voice laced with concern.

“I think Valentino had more to do with this than he’s letting on,” I say, keeping my voice low.

His eyes narrow slightly and he leans in closer. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. He seemed too calm, too unaffected. Even for him.”

“Vigo said Uncle Gio told him he wanted him to take over as Capo just before he collapsed,” I whisper.

Dad shakes his head. “It doesn’t make sense. Gio and I talked earlier today. He called the meeting to tell Vigo I was stepping in for now.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“We’ll figure it out, Anton. But for now, we focus on your uncle.”

Every minute feels like an eternity. I’m just taking a seat when the doctor walks in, his expression grave. "Are you the family of Mr. Comiso?" he asks.

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