Page 24 of Rome for the Holidays
He limped back over to Aldo, who was still alive, but the shot must have done some damage.
“He needs the doc and a hospital.”
Carlo looked up, “So do you.”
Vincenzo looked at the blood running down his arm and down his pant leg, “I’m fine. Get Aldo to the hospital now.”
He had pressure on Aldo’s stomach and Vincenzo knelt beside his guard, “Why did you do that?”
“We could not wait all day. They would have gotten away if we didn’t end this now. I couldn’t take that chance. I would rather sacrifice everything -including my life, - than have those men get away.”
Vincenzo shook his head, “I need men like you by my side.”
Aldo winced when Carlo put more pressure on his wounds. “It doesn’t hurt that badly.”
Vincenzo shook his head, a smirk trying to pull at the corners of his mouth, “Just lay still. I’m going to get the doc. Do you think he is loyal?”
Carlo nodded, “The doc only spoke to your father. He didn’t have time for Enzo or his nonsense. Most of us didn’t.”
Vincenzo stood, but Elio walked out, the doc hot on his heels, “I heard what happened. I went to grab him.”
Vincenzo wavered, “You weren’t supposed to go in that room. We don’t know who is loyal or not yet.”
“I know. I am not afraid. I was armed. But the doc can help, so let him.”
Vincenzo nodded, and the doc dropped next to Aldo, whistling. “He needs surgery. Carlo, we need to get him in the car.”
Elio sprinted to the garage, but as he ran to get a car, a man stepped from the shadows, his gun raised. Vincenzo called out to Elio too late, and he watched as the gun spit fire, and Elio fell back, blood spurting from the hole in his chest.
Vincenzo raised his gun, screaming in anger, shooting the last man between the eyes as he ran toward his little brother.
Elio was still alive, but his breathing was labored, blood poured free, and Elio was coughing, trying to breathe. And Vincenzo knew he did not have much time.
The doc came running, “Get the car now!”
Vincenzo rushed to the garage, getting the biggest car they had and loading Elio and Aldo into it.
Lucia came out of the house, rushing to the car, and getting in the car beside Elio’s body.
“Drive!”
Vincenzo drove like a mad man to the nearest hospital, knowing he was going to get ticketed later, but not giving a fuck.
As soon as he pulled up to the hospital, he was throwing the car in park and helping get Elio out of the back.
His brother was barely breathing, his face had lost all its color.
“You stay with me Elio. I need you.”
Elio could barely move, but he nodded the smallest amount.
A doctor came running, screaming for help and stretchers appeared before their eyes.
Elio was rushed away, and Aldo next, and Vincenzo held onto his mother as they were.
She buried her face against his side, “I am terrified.”
Vincenzo nodded, “Me too.”
