Chapter 11

Two years ago

"So I can go home tomorrow, right?" Daisy asked the nurse as the woman passed her the small cup of medication. "That's what the doctors said, correct?"

"I don't know, honey," the woman shrugged. "I don't decide when you go home."

"I don't understand," Daisy shook her head. "The doctor said I could go home this morning and then they come back a few minutes later and tell me I can't? It makes no sense."

"If you're not well, you're not well," the nurse replied. "No reason to fight with me."

"I'm not fighting," Daisy muttered. "I'm just....confused."

"In a hurry to get home or something?"

"Yeah...," Daisy nodded. "I'm moving in with my boyfriend."

"The one with the red roses or the one with the white roses?"

"Red roses," Daisy scowled. "White rose one is an asshole."

"They usually are when they look like that," the nurse laughed. "I'm just glad he doesn't talk to me like he talks to those doctors."

"What do you mean?" Daisy asked curiously.

"Man is always out there with Dr. Silvano telling the doctors what to do as if he run the place," the woman rolled her eyes. "I just come in here to do my job and do what my supervisor tells me."

"He has a bad habit of telling people what to do," Daisy said. "You don't think he told the doctors to keep me here longer, do you?"

The woman shrugged, "I'm just here to do my job."

"Oh my god," Daisy sat up. "No. He wouldn't."

"I'm not saying he did," the nurse said. "I'm saying that he was talking to your doctors this morning before they changed their minds."

"You have got to be kidding me," Daisy shook her head in disbelief. "I'm goi-"

"Excuse me."

Daisy stopped and turned to find a tall man in a gray button down shirt standing at the door. His gun, along with his NYPD badge, was visible on his holster as he hovered by the entrance and cleared his throat.

"Daisy Clements?" He asked.

"Yes," Daisy said.

"Hi, I'm Officer Charlie O' Hara with the organized crimes unit at the NYPD."

"Hi?" Daisy and the nurse stared.

"I have a few questions I wanted to ask you regarding the incident you were involved in two nights ago," Officer O'Hara said. "Is this a good time to talk?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded.

"Just give me a moment," the nurse began to gather her things. "I'll get out of your hair soon."

"Thank you," the officer nodded as he walked farther into the room. "How are you feeling, Ms. Clements?"

"I'm alright," Daisy said.

"I spoke to your doctors."

"Are you allowed to without my consent?" Daisy arched her brow.

"Just wondering about your general health," O' Hara smiled. "And we needed to retreat the bullet for forensics."

"I thought they didn't find a bullet."

"They found fragments," the officer bowed his head slightly towards the nurse as she walked out of the room.

"How can I help you officer?" Daisy asked, feeling her heart beat quickly.

"Do you know this man?" Officer O'Hara pulled out a photograph and handed it to Daisy.

Taking the photo, Daisy held it in front of her and pretended to think. She knew the man. It was Billy Mcarthy, the man who had brought her a drink the night she saw Luca at the bar. What she didn't know was how much she should be telling the police officers about Billy. She hadn't done anything wrong but that didn't mean they couldn't use her story to link Luca to whatever their family "business" was.

"He....seems familiar?" Daisy handed the photo back. "But I can't be sure."

"You had drinks with him about a year ago," O'Hara pushed. "The night of the gallery exhibition."

"I don't really keep track of every guy who buys me a drink, officer," Daisy smiled. "Maybe he did. He does look familiar."

"Hmm," Officer O'Hara nodded.

"Is there any particular reason why you're asking me?"

"Yes," the man nodded. "Mr. Mcarthy was found dead last night in Brooklyn."

Daisy felt a chill run down her spine. Her stomach twisted and her heart shriveled up as O'Hara pulled another photograph out of his pocket and handed it over to Daisy.

"Are you allowed to show me this?" Daisy asked, her stomach churning at the sight of the photograph.

Mcarthy laid face up on the side of a road dressed in a black suit. His face was heavily bruised. His nose was shattered and pushed into his skull. There were pools of blood underneath his eye sockets and the gruesome marks underneath the collar of his shirt made Daisy raise her hand and touch her own skin.

"No," Luca suddenly said from the doorway.

Daisy flinched as she looked up and dropped the photograph. Her heart began to beat wildly as Luca glared at Officer O'Hara and walked into the room. His face was grim and his eyes filled with darkness. Officer O'Hara stared back with a look of determination in his eyes. His jaw tensed as Luca bent down by Daisy's bed and picked up the photograph.

"I don't think you're allowed to show this," He said, handing O'Hara the photograph after taking a look at it. "To anyone, officer."

"It's part of the investigation," O'Hara said.

"What investigation?" Luca asked. "It was a random attack. They took his wallet, keys, and watch. Robbery gone wrong."

Daisy watched O'Hara's eyes sharpen, "I don't think that's what happened. A man like Mcarthy doesn't just get robbed, Mr. Silvano."

"You'd be surprised at what can happen to even men like Mcarthy," Luca said calmly as he held his hands in front of him and stood with his legs shoulder width apart. Daisy could barely see the officer with Luca standing before her.

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Silvano?" O'Hara laughed.

"Not at all, Officer," Luca said. "I have no reason to. And I'm sure you won't give me one either."

"I don't know what kind of pull you have with the commissioner but I know you're involved in all this," O'Hara said sternly.

"Thank you for stopping by, Officer," Luca motioned towards the door. "My friend Manny will show you the way out."

"Mcarthy was a good man," O'Hara said. "He fought for his union workers at the docks. He was a staple of his community. He was building schools and shelters."

"He was an arms dealer," Luca laughed. "He wasn't helping the community. He was washing off his sins."

"Maybe you should try that sometimes," O'Hara shot back. "I bet you have a lot to pay for, Silvano."

"Good night, Officer O'Hara," Luca motioned for the door once more. "Thank you for this delightful visit. I'll be sure to put in a good word to the commissioner on behalf of your diligent work towards our community and its people."

"This isn't over," O'Hara warned.

"Oh you bet," Luca smiled.

Hesitating by the door between Manny and Luca, Officer O'Hara looked back at Daisy for a split second before turning on his heels and heading out of the room. Daisy waited until Manny escorted the officer out and shut the door before she shifted her eyes back to Luca.

"Did you...." Daisy's throat was too dry to speak. She felt dizzy and faint as her heart beat wildly in her chest. "Did you do that to Mcarthy?"

Luca gradually turned to face the bed, "Yes."

Daisy's eyes widened. Her gaze dropped to Luca's bruised and cut knuckles before flickering back up to his eyes.

"You killed him?" She asked in disbelief.

"He was very much alive when I left, sunshine," Luca sighed.

"Who killed him?"

"The less you know the safer you will be," Luca explained. "I'm not going to answer any of your questions about Mcarthy."

"Luca, a man is dead," Daisy shook her head. "Do you understand what that means?"

"I understand what death means, yes," Luca said. "Very well, actually."

"I don't think you do," Daisy observed. "How are you this calm about it?"

"Mcarthy wasn't the first man I knew who died and god knows he won't be the last one either," Luca announced. "There's no reason to get worked up about it."

"You're not worried about Officer O'Hara?"

"There's a reason why I pay his boss's boss's boss," Luca said. "So I don't have to worry about officers like him."

"What about me?" Daisy asked. "Why did he come here?"

"Because you were in the car with us," Luca said. "He wouldn't dare go near Gia so he came to you."

Daisy slowly took in a deep breath to calm her breathing heart. She couldn't shake off the fright from seeing Mcarthy's photos.

"But don't worry," Luca continued, seeing how distressed Daisy looked. "He won't dare bother you twice."

"How can you be so sure?" Daisy asked.

"I'll make sure he doesn't bother you twice," Luca said.

Daisy didn't know how to feel. Her head felt numb yet the many thoughts racing through her mind kept her from wanting to lay back down in bed from exhaustion. She stared at Luca as he stepped forward and peered at her with curiosity.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Did you tell my doctors to keep me here longer?"

"Yes," Luca said.

"Why?" Daisy's eyes narrowed.

"Because I don't think you're well enough to go home yet."

"You're not a doctor," Daisy pointed out. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine," Luca said. "You're in no condition to be moving from place to place."

"Is this about me moving in with Eric?"

"Dumb decision."

"You don't get to tell me what to do!"

"I'm not," Luca said.

"But you're putting up roadblocks," Daisy said. "That's not right. Why would you do that?"

"Why would you move in with him?"

"That's none of your business. And if you already know about my plans then I'm guessing you also heard him telling me to stay the hell away from you," Daisy snapped. "Please, respectfully, get out."

"That's wrong with staying with your mother?"

"That," Daisy snorted. "It's my mother."

"Move in with Gia."

"And have to deal with you?" Daisy arched her brow. "No, I would rather be homeless."

"Get your own place."

"I can't afford it on my own."

"I can pay for it."

Daisy stilled. She stared at Luca wondering what kind of drug he was smoking as he waited for her to respond to his offer.

"I sat next to you and you called me a whore," Daisy reminded him slowly. "I don't want to be labeled as a prostitute next for taking anything from you."

"I'm sorry."

"You should be," Daisy spat. "That was uncalled for and very low."

"I know."

"And you still said it?" Daisy laughed. "Wow, what a gentleman."

"I'm really sorry for what I said the other night."

"What do you want me to do about it?"

"Nothing," Luca shrugged. "I just want you to know I'm really sorry for my thoughtless words."

"Was that all?" Daisy arched her brow. "You can close the door on your way out."

"Are you still moving in with him?"

"Yes."

"Over my dead body," Luca said through his teeth.

"Go die then!" Daisy jeered. "So I can over your dead body."

"If you think you're going anywhere with h-"

"You don't get to tell me what to do, Luca!" Daisy yelled. "You're nobody to me! Why are you acting so crazy? What do you want?"

"I want you to stay the hell away from him, damn it!"

Luca moved forward too quickly for Daisy to reach. One second he was standing by the edge of the bed and the next he was looming over her, eyes to eye, nose to nose. Daisy gasped as he caught her from falling backward against the bed. Her heart slammed against her ribs as she stared up into his mossy green eyes.

"Stay away from him," Luca spoke each word slowly and carefully, making sure it soaked into Daisy's skin.

"Why?" Daisy asked, her eyes flickering to Luca's mouth before snapping back up to his eyes. "Why do you care?"

"Because I said so," the green in Luca's eyes darkened.

"Say it," Daisy's eyes dropped to Luca's lips once more.

"Say what?"

"Say why you want me to stay away from him," Daisy said.

Luca's eyes narrowed and his mouth set into a firm line.

"Say it, Luca," Daisy demanded. "Say you like me. That despite everything you keep coming back to me."

Luca's jaw clenched. He took in a deep breath of Daisy's scent as she moved forward slowly and pushing him back.

"Say you can't stand to see me with him or with anyone else," Daisy's heart felt as if it would stop and set off all the alarms in the room. "Say it and I won't go anywhere."

"That's....." Luca's jaw tensed once more as if he was struggling to choose his words carefully. "That's not true."

"No?" Daisy shook her head. "Then why are you here? Why did you bring me flowers?"

"Because I feel responsible for your condition."

"You really are the worst," Daisy felt her chest tighten. "If none of what I said was true then leave me the hell alone. I mean it. Stay the fuck away from me. I am not going to mess up my perfectly good relationship for you. Eric cares about me and that's what I need in my life. Not this....whatever this is."

Luca's eyes changed from a spellbinding moss green to wicked green in a matter of seconds. For a moment, Daisy feared he would zap her like a sorcerer and vanish with her in a cloud of smoke.

"Or what?" Luca asked, challenging Daisy just like she knew he would.

"Or I'm going to tell Gia," Daisy said.

Luca's eyes narrowed.

"Let's see how she feels about all this," Daisy said as she reached under her pillow and pulled out her phone.

"What are you doing?" Luca asked, watching her dial Gia.

"From now on, the only contact we will have will be through Gia," Daisy said. "She will be the only thing linking us. Don't you dare come near me otherwise."

Luca inhaled slowly as he glared at Daisy before him. She took his hand and removed it from her back as Gia picked up the phone on the second ring.

"Hi, doll! How are you feeling?" Gia's cheerful voice rang out between Luca and Daisy.

"Not good," Daisy said, staring at Luca.

"What's wrong?" The concern in Gia's voice gripped Daisy's heart tightly. "Are you in pain? Where are the doctors?"

"I'm fine," Daisy said. "But can you....can you just come over. Like right now."

"Give me twenty minutes," Gia said. "I'm coming. What do you need? You want food? Finger sandwiches? Cupcakes? Starbucks?"

"I just need you here," Daisy said. "Hurry."

"I'm on my way."

As the call disconnected Luca pulled back and straightened up. He stared down at Daisy sitting on the bed as she placed the phone down on the sheets and looked up at him.

"Go," she said. "Leave."

Luca didn't budge.

"If you're not going to say anything then you have no reason to be here or to interfere with my life," Daisy said.

Her eyes moved back to Luca and she was sure he wasn't going to leave. Her heart started pounding in her chest as she waited to see what he would do. The anger in his eyes matched the fire in Daisy. They stayed glaring at one another until one of the nurses knocked on the door and entered with a dinner tray.

"Dinner time," she announced.

Daisy tore her eyes away from Luca and looked at the lady. She smiled politely as Luca turned and walked out of the room without a word.

________________________________

"You're kidding me, right?" Daisy laughed as Gia walked in with a giant Teddy bear in her arms and a bouquet of pink roses.

"His name is Gofa!" She announced, sitting the bear down on the chair beside the bed.

"Sound like go fuck yourself."

"I know!" Gia laughed. "That's exactly why I got him for you."

"Thank you," Daisy reached out and squeezed the bear's arm.

"How are you feeling?" Gia asked.

"Like shit," Daisy chuckled. "I want to go home."

"Soon," Gia frowned. "Luca said the doc-"

"I don't want to hear what your brother said," Daisy shook her head. "Please, anything else but him."

"What did he do?" Gia slouched down on the chair beside Gofa. "I know he's been lingering around here. I had a feeling he was going to piss you off."

"He did," Daisy sighed. "I hate seeing his face."

"I'm sorry," Gia apologized. "I promise I'll ship him back soon."

"How soon?" Daisy asked.

"As soon as he finishes up with the Mcarthy business," Gia shivered. "I heard they're having a meeting soon. I'm sure Luca will be called back to Del Mare soon."

"Perfect," Daisy smiled even though the idea made her insides shrink.

Gia nodded, picking up Gofa and placing him on her lap. Daisy watched her tighten her arms around the bear as she placed her chin on top of his head and began to chew on her bottom lip.

"What?" Daisy narrowed her eyes. "What is it?"

"I..." Gia hesitated. "I went to go see Daniel earlier today."

"What?" Daisy's eyes widened. "Why?"

"To thank him for helping bring you to the hospital," Gia put Gofa down. "But it was a huge mistake."

"I'm glad you realized that before I pointed out the obvious," Daisy said. "Seriously, what is wrong with you Silvanos? Both brother and sister are dumb as fuck."

"I thought it would be the right thing to do!" Gia said defensively. "We're both kind of alive because of him."

"How did your grand visit go?" Daisy asked. "Why was it a mistake?"

"Because we got into an argument and he told me to stop dating Louis."

"You have got to be fucking with me," Daisy placed her hand over her face and leaned back against her pillow.

What is wrong with these men? She wondered.

"It has to be something in the city air," Daisy waved her arms around. "There's no way men can be that stupid."

"I know!" Gia shrieked. "Can you believe him? He thinks I'll listen to him and not date Louis."

"Mental," Daisy shook her head. Like your brother.

"Are you going to eat that apple sauce?" Gia asked, pointing to the small container on the bedside table.

"No," Daisy said, lost in her thoughts. "Eat it."

Is it an Italian thing? Can't be.

"Thank you," Gia smiled as she reached for the apple sauce and the spoon. "I can not believe I thought I should go over and say thank you to him."

"You need to stop being so stupid," Daisy rubbed her eyes. "Especially when it comes to Daniel. I know you two have history."

Yeah, and I should listen to my own advice.

"There is no history," Gia said, licking the spoon. "It was just a stupid kiss."

"A kiss is more than enough for Luca to want his head," Daisy said. "Speaking of the devil. How, why and since when does your brother have my number?"

"I gave it to him," Gia held up one finger and then another, "Because he asked for it and he had it since you've been in the hospital."

"God," Daisy groaned. "Why, G? Why would you do that? I can't stand him!"

"What did he do?" Gia frowned. "I thought he wanted it for emergencies."

"He's telling me not to speak to the detectives," Daisy said.

"Oh yeah, you can't."

"You too?"

"Did Luca tell you he'll take care of it?" Gia asked.

"Yes."

"Then let him handle it," Gia advised. "Don't talk to the detectives."

"I was shot!" Daisy laughed in disbelief. "I almost died!"

"I know," Gia frowned. "But trust me, Luca will take care of it."

"How?"

"I don't really know," Gia said.

"And that doesn't bother you?" Daisy arched her brow. "Damn it, Gia! You are a strong independent girl with a brilliant mind yet you let your brother and dad boss you around all the time as if you're some helpless little girl."

"What would you have me do?" Gia sighed. "It's always been like that. My family....we're not like other people. I'm just thankful to be here with Carla living a semi-normal life."

"You need to stop being so damn scared to rock the boat," Daisy snorted. "Make waves, baby girl! Fuck em up!"

"You clearly haven't met my dad," Gia shook her head.

No, but I have met your brother and he's a nightmare.

"And until you do, you won't get it," Gia added.

"Satellite father who barely shows any affection," Daisy rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know. Welcome to the daddy issues club, sweetheart."

"It's not that," Gia clicked her tongue.

"It is," Daisy said. "You're scared to do what you want because you don't want to upset your father. You think if you do everything right he will finally look at you the same way he looks at Luca."

"Wow, look at you," Gia laughed. "Since when are you so insightful of my traumas?"

"It's the meds," Daisy shrugged. "I feel woozy and dizzy and on top of that your brother is being a pain in my ass. Tell him to fuck off or I will."

"I think you need a nap," Gia rose from the chair and walked over to the bed. "You're getting cranky."

"I think so," Daisy pouted. "These meds are on another level."

"Lay back," Gia laughed as she tossed the applesauce into the bin and adjusted Daisy's pillows.

"I think you should call Louis and ask him out to dinner," Daisy said as she pulled the blankets up to her chin.

"Yeah?" Gia asked.

"Don't let another man boss you around," Daisy said. "Fuck Daniel. If he says you can't date Louis, fuckin' marry the French bitch and show him who's boss."

Like I'm going to show your brother who's boss.

"That's a bit extreme," Gia laughed.

"Okay, well," Daisy rolled her eyes. "Maybe not marry him but date the shit out of him. Make him a simp for you."

"But I don't even like Louis like that," Gia shifted her weight. "I don't want to lead him on."

"Then just make Daniel think you like Louis like that," Daisy said. "You just have to mess with his head."

"That's not ri-"

"Not right?" Daisy arched her brow. "Was it right for him to tell you what to do?"

"No?" Gia frowned.

"I thought so," Daisy closed her eyes and snuggled into her pillow. "Beat him at his own game, gigi."  

We're getting there guys, hang on...we're almost to present day