Page 23 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

“You okay, Doc?”

“Y-yes.” She blinks several times, turning her attention to the stack of towels Frankie brought in earlier. “You said you could get any supplies I need?” Wiping the blood on the cotton towel, Kate’s furrowed brow makes me want to reach out and rub it smooth.

“Make a list and Frankie will take care of it,” I offer instead, keeping my hands at my side.

“I need authentic pharmaceuticals, not the back alley crap from the streets.”

Frankie nods his head, as Kate begins listing the supplies she needs.

“A newer model metal detector, like the ones they use at the airport, not the kind you find on the beach.”

Her request surprises me, by the confused look on Frankie’s face he feels the same.

“Metal detector?”

Kate’s attention shifts to me. “Angelo is septic, my suspicion is there is a bullet fragment still in there. I highly doubt you can find an x-ray machine and get it in here, but a metal detector...”

“Will detect the metal of the bullet,” I finished for her.

Hooking her hands on her hips, Kate silently smiles as she turns her attention to Frankie. “If you can’t find?—”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t even have the thought I couldn’t get all this shit.” Pocketing his phone, Frankie turns for the door, “I can have it here in about an hour. Is that too long?”

“An hour?” Kate chuckles. “In the hospital, I can’t get an open OR in less than an hour.”

“Good,” Frankie sends her a wink. “There is food in the kitchen and clean clothes for you in the bedroom I made up for you. That is if you’ve made up your mind about helping?”

My heart hammers against my chest as I wait for her decision.

“My nona once said, we are put into positions for a reason. Sometimes it's to learn.”

“And sometimes it’s to love,” Frankie spoke the second half of the proverb with her.

“Angelo needs my help, which is a form of love.” She pauses, dropping her gaze to the floor and letting out breath. “Supplies, my safety, and enough money to keep my promise to my nona.” Raising her head, Kate crosses the room with her hand extended in my direction. “You have a deal, Mr. Cavaletti.”

As I take her hand in mine, relishing in the buzz which shoots up my arm and settles in my heart, I wasn’t so certain I would be able to return her to her world.

“Deal,” I lie, confirming my place in hell.

Chapter

Seventeen

KATE

Waving the metal detector over Angelo’s chest, I’m still in shock Frankie was able to have the supplies in under an hour. Truthfully, I expected a ton of excuses as to why it was taking longer than anticipated, followed by products I wouldn't use on Satan himself. Instead, Frankie and several men showed up carrying box after box containing top of the line equipment and an abundance of the medication I requested.

“Bingo.”

Elation fills my chest when the detector lights up as I scan over where I’d drained earlier. “Let’s see what is causing this infection, shall we.” I speak softly to Angelo, laying my gloved hand on his arm.

Dante stands like a Roman Sentry at the end of the bed, arms crossed over his massive chest, which was thankfully covered by a black sweatshirt. My sensibility left me earlier as I took in the manliness of his chest. Muscles, perfected by either hard work—which given what he did for a living, was doubtful—or time in a gym, which was more likely the case. A dusting of hair rested in the center, well groomed and I imagine, combed by more than a few feminine fingers. It was the tattoo over his heart which stole my breath, a pair of praying hands with a rosary intertwinedwithin the fingers—tiny and clearly feminine fingers. I suspect they’re the hands of his wife, a clever way to put her brand on him without the bad luck which came from tattooing a name.

“I’m going to assume you’re not squeamish when it comes to blood.” Keeping my tone professional, I glance at his face briefly as I begin assembling my sterile field.

“You know what they say about assuming.” He snickers, the corner of his mouth upturning in smirk.

Opening a sleeve of sterile gloves, I keep my eyes on my fingers as I empty the package. “Please ask Frankie or one of the men who isn’t to come assist me then.”

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