Page 8 of Ruined By Blood
Romano approaches the bed, already pulling on latex gloves. "How long has she been unconscious?"
"In and out for about twenty minutes."
The doctor's expression tightens. He's seen plenty of our business injuries over the years, but domestic violence still gets under his skin.
"I'll need to examine her completely," he says. "You should wait outside."
I stand outside the room, pacing the hallway. I'm not astranger to violence. In my world, it's currency. But there's something about her. Maybe it's the way she looked at me in the bar – defiant despite her fear. Or maybe it's the echo of Lucrezia I see in her vulnerability.
The door opens, and Romano steps out, his face grim. He pulls off his latex gloves with practiced precision.
"How is she?" I ask, keeping my voice even.
"Not good. She's suffered a severe beating. Extensive bruising across her torso and back. Split lip. Possible concussion."
I feel my jaw tighten. "Will she recover?"
"Physically, yes, with time. But her body's in shock. The blood loss, combined with what appears to be tranquilizers in her system..." He shakes his head. "Someone drugged her before they beat her. That's not all. There are... other marks. Older injuries. Healed fractures that weren't set properly. Scarring on her wrists and ankles consistent with restraints. Cigarette burns on her inner thighs."
My knuckles pop as my fists clench involuntarily. "How long?"
"The patterns suggest repeated trauma over months, possibly years." Romano meets my gaze directly. "I've seen this before, Enzo. Someone's been hurting this woman for a very long time."
I think of her words. The terror in her voice when she begged me not to take her back to "him."
"She needs to rest," Romano continues, breaking into my thoughts. "I've given her something for the pain. When she wakes, she'll be disoriented, possibly combative."
Ireturn to the room after Romano leaves. Ginerva has finished cleaning the blood from her face, the stark white sheets making the bruising along her jaw even more pronounced. I hover at the foot of the bed, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest beneath the thick comforter.
Her eyelids flutter open suddenly, panic flooding her features as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings. When she spots me, her body goes rigid with terror, her gaze darting frantically between me and Ginerva.
"Where am I?" Her voice is barely a whisper, cracked and raw.
Before either of us can answer, she bolts upright, wincing as the movement jars her broken ribs. She scrambles backward until she hits the headboard, her eyes wild with panic.
"Please, I need to go," she gasps, struggling to untangle herself from the sheets. "He'll find me—he always finds me."
She manages to swing her legs over the side of the bed, but the moment she tries to stand, her knees buckle. I instinctively step forward to catch her, but she flinches away from my outstretched hands so violently that she nearly falls.
"Don't touch me!" The words tear from her throat, her breathing ragged and uneven.
Ginerva steps between us, her voice calm and steady. "No one here will hurt you, cara. You're safe now."
The woman shakes her head frantically, tears streaming down her bruised face. "I'm never safe. Please, I have to go."
I keep my distance, making sure to stay where she can see me clearly.
"You need to rest," I say, keeping my voice low and even. "Those ribs won't heal if you keep moving."
Her eyes never leave my face, watching me like a cornered animal. "Who are you? Why did you bring me here?"
"My name is Enzo Feretti. This is my family's home." I gesture around us. "And you were bleeding out behind my casino's fountain. You asked me not to take you back to him."
Recognition flickers across her face at my name, followed quickly by a fresh wave of fear.
"Ginerva and I will leave you alone for now," I continue. "There's a bathroom through that door if you need it. Clean clothes in the dresser. The doctor's given you something for the pain."
I move slowly toward the door and Ginerva follows. "I'll come back later. When you're feeling stronger, we'll talk about what happened."
