Page 63 of Ties That Bind Us

“Are you okay? Where are you hurt?” I held her out in front of me, scanning her body for any signs of injury. She was a bloody mess but I didn’t see anything right away.

“They killed her, Nick,” she sobbed, collapsing in my arms.

“They killed who, Avs?” I asked, trying to make sense of it. She seemed okay, but she was covered in blood and the dress she was wearing was nearly shredded.

“The saleswoman. She was standing right in front of me.” Ava sobbed hysterically into my chest. She was inconsolable, violently shaking.

“Is that what all this blood is from?” She didn’t answer, just continued to cry.

I turned to Vince, who stood up next to us. He nodded. “Ava wasn’t hit directly, she’s got some glass and shrapnel stuck in her side. They don’t know how deep, she wouldn’t let anybody look at her until you got here.”

I nodded, rubbing her back gently, trying to soothe her. I eased her back to the edge of the bed and we both sat down. “Baby, you’ve got to let them see what’s going on, okay? They need to clean your cuts.”

“Is Leo here?” Vince asked, seething. He must be losing his mind. All of his sisters and his mother were inside that shop.

“He’s outside. Got anything yet?”

Vince stiffened. “You focus on her, I’ll fill you in later.”

I wanted to press him for more, but the most important thing right now was making sure Ava was okay. She still clung to me, terrified and sobbing. Vince left and a doctor came in.

“Are you Nick Caponelli?” he asked, glancing back and forth between me and Ava.

“Yes, I am.” I nodded.

“I’m Dr. Frasier. We really need to have a look at Ava’s wounds. I can’t tell how much of that blood is from the deceased and how much of it is hers until I look at the cuts, but she wanted to wait for you,” he said sympathetically.

“Ava, he needs to look at you now. I’m right here, okay?” I put my hand to her cheek and rubbed gently. “I’m not going anywhere, baby, I’ll be right here with you,” I assured her. She didn’t look convinced but she softened a little bit.

The doctor sat down on the other side of her and got to work. She winced as he pulled the lacy fabric back and started to remove pieces of glass.

“It’s okay, baby,” I soothed, squeezing her hand. “Everything is going to be just fine.”

She shook her head. “She was right in front of me, Nick.” She covered her blood-splattered face with her hands.

“I know, I know it’s scary. I’m so proud of you, Avs. You’re doing so good. It’s all going to be okay.” I kissed her forehead. She needed me to be her support right now, but inside my mind was whirling. By Vince’s reaction, I knew this wasn’t good. It was a hit, and it was very likely the hit had been on Ava. I needed more information from her but I was worried about her mental state. She was still hysterical, and I couldn’t blame her. She had just seen a woman killed right in front of her, and she still had that woman’s blood splattered all over her body.

“Everything looks okay,” Dr. Frasier said. “No permanent damage, but the glass is embedded pretty deep so you’ll need to get stitched up. I’ll send a nurse in to help you get cleaned up and then once you’ve got your sutures, you can go home.”

“Thank you.” I breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the tattered wedding dress she was wearing. I had dreamed of the day I’d see her in a big white dress, but now that I had, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get this image out of my head.

I left briefly while a nurse helped Ava wash some of the blood off of her body. All she had to wear was a pair of hospital-grade sweats, but I knew she just wanted to get out of here and go home. While she was getting stitched up, I spoke with a detective but he didn’t have much information. It had been a drive-by and they were pulling surveillance footage but hadn’t found anything yet. That was good. I wanted to keep the police as far away from this as I could. It would only interfere in my own investigation and swift deliverance of justice once I found out who was responsible.

When Ava was ready to go, we collected her things and headed out. She moved like a zombie, completely dazed and unable to stop crying. I could see her father talking to my dad, Leo, and Vince by the front doors. Alessandro was the last person I wanted to deal with right now.

“How are you feeling, sweetie?” he asked when he saw us. The insincerity in his voice nearly killed me.

“I’m okay,” she said softly, clutching my hand.

“Why don’t you come home with me? Nick has a lot to deal with and your mother and I can keep an eye on you while you’re recovering,” he offered.

What the fuck was trying to pull now?

“I think I’d rather go back to our apartment,” she said. I nearly burst with pride at the way she referred to it as ours.

“Are you sure?” he asked Ava, before turning his attention to me. “Aren’t you going to Las Vegas tomorrow?” How he knew my travel schedule was beyond me. The man had no interest in anything that didn’t revolve around him.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll take care of her,” I said through gritted teeth. “She needs to be at her own home where she feels comfortable.”

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