And they’re right to do that because right now, I’m fucking insane.
Charlotte is hurt, maybe worse than that, and I have no idea what happened or why.
The only thing I know is that I violated a very big fucking rule by sleeping with her last night.
The realization hits me in the gut with the force of a cement block.
What if that accident wasn’t just an accident?
Jesus Christ, what if she’s…what if all of this happened because of me?
What if I put her on their radar?
My thoughts race.
I bailed on Phoenix when we were supposed to be finding the threat and eliminating it.
What if that threat is no longer just against me and my family?
My pulse throbs.
I fucked her…literally and figuratively.
I press my foot on the gas, my tires squealing as I careen around the circular driveway of the school grounds.
Hospital. I need to get to the hospital!
My phone vibrates in the console and I grab it, slowing for a Stop sign.
I stab the Accept button. “Phoenix,” I choke out before he can even get in a word. “There’s been an accident.”
“What the fuck happened, Xander?” His voice is strained, and I don’t blame him. I really screwed up last night by leaving him in the lurch to find Lorenzo. But my biggest fear may become reality if I’m right and Charlotte is being targeted by Gio Rossi.
I told Phoenix I wouldn’t choose Charlotte over the family.
But yet, here I am, driving at light speed toward the hospital when he’s out there lurking and waiting for a chance to pounce on what we’ve built.
And me.
I’m as much of a liability to my family as my fucking brother Jase is right now.
I shake my head as that terrifying thought settles deep into my brain.
How in the world did I let this happen?
How did I become the one who’s so goddamn unhinged?
Fuck it all to hell.
“Charlotte was driving with some douchebag from school and they were ram-rodded at an intersection. It’s bad.”
“And let me guess, you’re on your way to see her, right?” he snips. “Did you ever think that it could be a fucking trap? That if it was Rossi, that he knows you’re going to get your boxers in a wad and run to her…and to him?”
“I’ll handle it,” I say through gritted teeth. “I need to know if she’s okay.”
“You’re not equipped for this job,” Phoenix says in a cold voice. “You can’t separate yourself from your emotions, and that kind of shit will get you killed. You’re so worried about Charlotte, did you ever think about the fact that it’s your neck on the chopping block? How am I supposed to be able to trust you with serious matters? I need to know if you have my back, Xander. That you’d protect the family’s interests over your own. That’s why you’ll never cut it in Chicago. Because your priorities are fucked!” He lets out a frustrated sigh. “So go to the hospital. Sit by her bedside. Wander right into the fucking lion’s den and leave me to clean up your goddamn mess. Just know that it’s the last time. You were on your way to proving yourself, Xander. I really thought you’d be my number two, that you were hungry for it.”
“Phoenix,” I say, trying to keep the hint of desperation out of my voice. “You know I have your back! I told you I was sorry for what happened last night, but if I’m right and she’s being targeted by Rossi, we have a real shot at him!”
“We could have had a real shot at him last night. That is, before your social agenda got in the way.”
I slam my hand on the steering wheel. “Look, we need to find Moretti. I know I screwed you over last night, but really? All I get is one shot to prove to you that I can do this job? I’ve done so much for Dad and for the family. I fucking deserve this, Phoenix! I know what the family’s priority is!”
“Yeah, but does it match yours?” With a huff, he clicks off the phone.
He didn’t even tell me why he was calling, not that it would have been good anyway.
Seems like I’m on everyone’s shit list these days.
Everyone except my mom’s.
At least I have one ally.
Minutes stretch into what feels like hours as I fly across town to St. Mary’s Hospital, swinging my car into the first parking spot I see outside of the Emergency Room. I eye the cops