Chapter 8 - Missed Meetings and New Insights

Elena woke up in the middle of the night. She would've rolled over and went back to bed but her phone screen flashed as she got a new message. Elena cursed. She should've left both her phones on her bedside table, but apparently her exhaustion hit her much faster than she had expected. She wanted to keep texting her husband, but the second her body touched her mattress, she was out. She was suddenly grateful Aria had made her drink her chamomile tea in the kitchen, and not in her room like she had planned to. Elena grabbed both her phones. It was her mafia/work phone that had the new message. It was from her nocturnal boss, of course—did that man ever sleep? "I'll need you to meet with Luca tomorrow at 5pm to ensure our emergency medical kits are up to your standards. Additionally, Tuesday 10pm, the Ferraro family has a business event you should be present for." Elena dully took in the information, still battling sleep. Even to her tired brain, the time of one of the meetings sounded familiar. She retrieved her other phone and went back to her chat history with her husband. He had invited her to meet on Tuesday at 9pm. Elena was suddenly grateful she had fallen asleep when she did. Otherwise she would've agreed to the meeting and she'd be in quite the pickle. The ride from the hotel to the Ferraro estate would take half an hour at best, and she'd need to be dressed for a medical emergency—completely different from a nice date outfit that she'd be afraid to stain during an operation. Elena texted her husband and informed him that she unfortunately had work that day and couldn't meet up. It'd be silly to meet for a brief hello, and that's all she had time for. She promised to meet him later, when both their schedules aligned. Her husband sent back a text immediately, which surprised her. "Isn't that a little late for work?" Elena laughed as she typed. "You would think, but my boss has me working night shifts lately. Medical emergencies wait for nobody haha." Massimo stared at his phone in shock. He had been rejected by a woman—by his wife. Hadn't she been the one who was so set on meeting in person? It made no sense. Why was she behaving so oddly? His grandfather Fabio had said his wife worked as a medical professional. That's how she was able to recognize that the old man was having a heart attack and treat him while they waited for an ambulance. If she hadn't helped, there was a good chance Massimo's grandfather would've died. For that alone, Massimo knew he should treat this mysterious woman kindly. He was trying to be nice—he got her nice gifts for their first meeting, didn't he? His grandfather was always saying a gentleman gives his lady something special each time they meet—expensive presents, flowers, chocolates, or wines were the way to a woman's heart, apparently. But his wife wasn't making it easy. Every interaction seemed to go badly. Furthermore, Massimo found it hard to believe her claims. Did she really have a roommate or did she just want him to think she wasn't a slut? Between wanting to maintain her reputation and perhaps needing to avoid becoming a divorcee, there were plenty of motives for her to lie. And her latest action, rejecting his invitation, struck Massimo as odd. His grandfather would've mentioned if this woman regularly worked the night shift at her hospital. Again, it could just be coincidence, but so many coincidences pointed to a pattern. Like that his wife was a slut who already had a date with another man that night. · Elena looked over the medical supplies with Luca. He had done an excellent job of getting what she needed. Plenty of medical gloves, scalpels, retractors, needles, and sutures—they were giving St. Camillus Hospital a good run for their money. "It's all perfect, thanks," Elena told him. She handed over the receipts for her own medical equipment splurging. Comparatively, she had spent a pittance to restock her medical go-bag. Luca looked at the receipts and nodded. "I'll get these processed later tonight." "Thanks. Oh, and while I have you, do you have any idea what to expect for the business meeting this Tuesday?" "Injuries caused by bullets, knives, or explosives," Luca listed off. "Though it's more likely you'll be needed in case of an allergy emergency or one of the older men's pre-existing conditions flare-up. But always be prepared for things to get violent." Elena nodded along. "I can do that. I'll be sure to dress more appropriately this time, too." Luca raised an eyebrow. "Did Don Massimo not inform you that this was a formal meeting?" "Surprisingly, his text messages are equally as short as his in-person messages." "He must've forgotten, or expected you knew since you grew up in the mafia." Luca paused for a long moment. "It's a black tie affair." "I see," Elena said hesitantly. "I'll find something appropriate to have under my doctor's coat then." · Before Massimo had a moment to rest, it was the night of the business deal. Luca was staring at him and trying not to frown. Massimo knew what the problem was: this was the sort of event that required a date. All the other family heads would be arriving with their wives or girlfriends, maybe even their mistresses. For the most important man in the room to be the only one without a female companion... Simply put, it would be a bad look. Even with his wife occupied, Massimo could've called in practically any woman to take up a spot on his arm. The problem was that the vixens would be trying to butter him up and get more. Money, power, s*x—all women wanted something, and Massimo didn't need to be bothered by their selfish urges tonight. Yet not bringing a woman was just trading one annoyance for another. And at a time when the mafia was already unstable, it meant that this night would be grueling and long as mafia members tried to cement themselves as forces to be reckoned with. Nothing new, but still not ideal. Massimo turned to his second-in-command before he could complain. "Where's our doctor?" the don asked. "She arrived while you were getting ready," Luca informed him. "I thought it prudent to not have her wait in the receiving room where any guest could meet with her, so she's in the guest room." Massimo nodded his head. The two left the master bedroom and went to the guest room. While Massimo saw his hand-picked doctor, she did not look as he expected her to. Because underneath the white coat she wore during their first meeting, she was wearing a black suit. Elena was unlike most mafia women. More importantly, she was married, knew the crime cultural rules, and wouldn't do anything to risk her job. Even if Massimo was suspicious of Elena's true loyalties, she couldn't act tonight. There'd be too many eyes to make any move against him—not if she wanted to keep her cover intact. "Good evening, Don Massimo," Elena greeted him. "You'll be acting as my companion tonight." Both Elena and Luca startled. Luca, at least, hid it better—only widening his eyes slightly. Elena's shock, however, was plain to see. "I'm sorry, but I'm not prepared for that role," Elena quickly stated, taking a step back from the two men. "I'm here as your doctor. That's why I wore a suit and my white coat—so I'd stay in line with the dress code but clearly not be a guest." "Your job is to do what I say," Massimo said flatly. "Even if it is outside your expertise, you are expected to do what I ask. That is not negotiable." "Sir, I can't—" "I recognize that this isn't within your normal role, so you will be compensated accordingly—an additional 50k for this evening's work seems appropriate."