"Well hello to you too, Val—" He stops mid sentence when he turns around in his chair and takes sight of the small child attached to my hip. The door shuts behind us. "Oh?" He enquires, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that." I grumble, adjusting Eleonora on my hip.
I've noticed Eleonora becoming more loose around others, more comfortable. It's a good sign.
"Like what? Like you have a child on you? Please tell me you didn't steal the girl." I give Carlo a blank stare and he shrugs. "Anything is possible."
He stands from his chair.
"I did not steal anyone. I found her."
"Found her?" He laughs like I'm lying.
"Yes." I retort back. "Found her."
"If you say." Carlo smiles at Eleonora. "And what is your name, dolcezza?" Sweetheart.
Her bright blue eyes look up to me, almost like she's asking me for permission.
Oh come on kid. Don't look at me like that.
When I give her no answer she looks back to Carlo. "Eleonora." She tells him quietly.
"Why don't you have a seat, Eleonora."
I try to peel the little demon-spawn-leech off of me put she persists and now we're both sitting on a medical bed, the stupid wax paper crunching beneath us.
"She likes you, no?" Carlo asks humorously, a little smile coming to his face.
"Unfortunately."
"Oh don't be so cruel, Valerius. She's just a baby."
A baby with one hell of a grip.
"Why did you bring her here today?" He asks like the faint bruise isn't evident on her cheek and like the scabs aren't there.
"Are you blind?"
"No, just old." He snaps on rubber gloves and pulls his wheeled chair over and in front of Eleonora. "I mean specifics, Valerius."
My hands cup Eleonora's ears so she can't hear me, she looks confused for a moment before she brushes it off and sits playing with the wax paper.
"I found her on the streets. Deep cuts, bad bruising. Severely malnourished, I've gotten some food in her but not enough. It's obvious that she was neglected and abused. She barely talks or walks. She knows some things but not enough. I need you to check to see what her condition is, what specifically happened to her. I—" I hesitate.
"You need to know if she's okay?" He smiles teasingly at me and I roll my eyes.
"No." I snap. "I don't care enough for that."
Carlo's hums to himself, then put on a smile for Eleonora who was gazing at him, curious.
"I'm guessing X-rays are off limits."
"If you want her to go into a panic then I suggest not."
"Then I'll do my best."
YOU ARE READING
Finding Her
General FictionBook One At the age of twenty five, the Mafia would be handed down to Valerius Armani from his father. Knowing what is soon to come.. he knows he has to finally admit his secret to the one he loved. The woman he hoped to marry. Although, Katerina W...
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