Deep (Pagano Family #4)(58)

She waved him off. “In their crates in the room I’m in. I gave them one of their travel pills—they get so yappy when people come and go, and I didn’t want them disturbing Bev.” She sighed heavily and shook her head. “What they did to that poor girl. I don’t understand anything anymore. I married your father forty-eight years ago, and I knew who he was. I knew a lot about him before I spoke a vow. But in all that time, his work never came into our home.”

“It did, Ma. You know it did.”

Again she waved him off. “That was—no. That was different. And it stopped. It all stopped. A long time ago. We don’t talk about that. And you know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“I know we shouldn’t be talking about this at all.” He had never known his mother to push back like this. She knew her role. She ruled her home, but she had no standing in business. But she was right—age-old barriers between home and business had been disintegrating for the past year and a half.

“You’re right. I’m sorry to speak out of place. But the girl upstairs—she’s been hurt twice in your business, and has it even been a month?”

“Not quite, no.”

“Are you going to let her go? Let her find a regular guy? A nice accountant? Or a teacher, maybe?”

Or a bookseller, maybe. “If she wants to go, I won’t stop her.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Are you asking if I’ll give her up for her own good? No.” He didn’t want to be without her, and he wasn’t that f*cking noble.

His mother came to the table and caressed his cheek. “Then make her safe, Nicky.”

Before he could respond, or think how he should, Dr. Kerr came into the kitchen. Nick stood, pushing his mother gently aside. “Tell me, Dennis.”

Dennis nodded toward the table, and Nick sat again. As Dennis sat, he asked, “Could I get a cup of that espresso I smell, Betty?” Nick’s mother nodded and went to the machine.

“You want prognosis or details?”

“Both.”

“She’ll be out for a while; I gave her something to keep her peaceful through the night. Though she might seem awake at times and even talk or answer questions, she won’t remember. She’ll heal physically, though she’ll likely have some scarring. I can’t speak to how she’s going to do psychologically.” He accepted the little cup from Betty and took a sip. “These men are animals, Nick. The most severe damage, where most of the blood came from, is a long, deep laceration on the side of her right breast.”

He paused, and took another drink. And then another. He was stalling. “Out with it, Dennis.”

“I think they tried to cut it off.”

Nick leaned his head into his hand, propped on the table. “The f*ck.” He was sickened and infuriated, but not actually surprised. It was the thing he hadn’t allowed himself to imagine. She’d been awake when he’d found her. Had she been awake through it all? His other hand curled into a shaking fist.

“From the wound, I’d say the knife wasn’t sharp enough. Or maybe they lost their stomach for it—though I doubt that. But I was able to close the wound. Other than a scar, I think that will heal well, as long as it gets good care. That’s her most physically serious injury.” He took a long breath and another sip.

When next he spoke, he eyed Nick warily, as if expecting him to take a shot at the messenger. But Nick, sure he knew the rest, stayed calm. “She was raped, roughly—though there’s not really another way to be raped than roughly. But they did damage. I closed three significant tears. Others will close on their own. Other than that, she’s strained her vocal chords, and she has a lot of bruising and a couple dozen small lacerations, especially on her legs. Some had glass in them. Her face is bruised, but the small lacerations there didn’t require stitches. No bones were broken. I’d say she probably has a mild concussion from the facial blows.”

He sighed and sat back. “All of that will heal. In a couple of weeks, she won’t look like someone who went through what she did. As for her mind, I don’t know. I think she’ll need some tender care for a while.” The sidelong look he gave Nick now implied his doubts that he was capable of tender care.

“I want to be with her.”

Dennis nodded. “Your aunt is cleaning her up and making her comfortable. I’m done for tonight. There are pills upstairs—antibiotics and pain control. The antibiotics need to be taken on a strict schedule. I wrote it down upstairs. The pain pills, she can have two every four hours as needed. She’ll need them regularly for at least a couple of days. Even if she says she doesn’t, she should take them.” He stood. “Thank you for the cup, Betty. I’m going to check in with Don Pagano, and then head home. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Nick stood and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you, Dennis.”

“Of course.” He left.

Betty picked up the cups and saucers. “Go on up. I’m going to wash up and see to the dogs. Then I think I’ll take some quiet time.”

He took the dishes from his mother’s hands and set them back on the table. Then he wrapped her up in his arms. “Thank you, Ma. I love you.”

“I love you, too. You’re my good boy.” She reached up and took his face in her hands, then pulled him down and kissed him on the lips. “You’re a good boy, Nicky. You are.” She slapped his cheek affectionately.