As an ER nurse took Cassandra’s vitals, a doctor was sedating her, in order to prep her for surgery.  In this foggy state, Cassie saw her life flash before her eyes, people, places and events all merged into one big final trip down memory lane.  Just as she was about to let go, she heard a voice saying, “I don’t think this one’s gonna make it” and suddenly fear struck her heart.  She still had a job to do and a promise to fulfill.  Reluctantly, Cassie fought her way back to the physical world and when she did, the pain was excruciating.  Though the doctor managed to remove both bullets, she was in so much agony she found it hard to breath.  For the next 12 hours Cassie lapsed in and out of consciousness.

When she finally started to wake from the anesthesia, she found it hard to put sentences together.  It was important that she talk, she had to warn Amato he was in danger but all she could do was babble incoherently.  Upon seeing this, the nurses gave her more medication thinking she was in pain.  This went on all night long.

Meanwhile, Detective Amato spent the night making a call to a cop he knew worked for the Cosimo family but he wanted nothing to do with Amato.  So he reminded the young patrolman, “Listen Lieutenant, if you don’t want your wife finding out where you spend your Fridays, you’ll send the message,” he said before hanging up on the now very scared cop.

Immediately, Amato started digging up old files he had encrypted in his own computer just in case he needed them one day.  He had tons of dirt on Dominic as well as several other city officials who were on the Cosimo payroll and he was ready to play his hand, if it got to that point.

Just as he was considering his options the phone rang, knowing who it was, Amato picked it up and heard Dominic’s lackey say, “The boss will see you at Xavier ‘round three.”

“Done” Amato responded and hung up.

At 3 o’clock on the nose, Amato showed up to Xavier Park in Brooklyn.  Entering the gates, he saw none other than Dominic Fenetti smoking a cigar and chatting up some red haired floozy at a bench.  Upon seeing him, he smiled at Amato and dismissed his fidanzata (girlfriend) with the snap of his fingers.

“There are some pretty babes in BK, I should come here more often.”

“You never learned from your hero Capone, did ya?”

“I’ll have you know Brittany is an accomplished dancer,” Dominic said with a sleazy wink.

“Yeah, I’m sure she makes more than the other puttanas (whores) at the strip club,” Amato said taking a step closer to Dom.

Feeling uncomfortable, Dominic warned Amato, “No funny business, I got guys everywhere.”

“I know Dom, you never went anywhere alone as I recall.”

“Where did I go wrong with you?” Dominic asked. “I gave you everything, money, cars, women, and you piss on it like a God damn rat.”

“You gave him everything?..” a voice said coming from behind the trees.  Turning around, Dominic was stunned to see the big boss, Carmine Cosimo in the flesh.  The older gentleman made a signal and immediately Dominic’s own men came out of hiding with their guns turned on him.

As if that weren’t enough, Cassie emerged from the circle of goons like a ghost from his worst nightmare.  Looking worse for the wear, Cassandra’s head was still heavily bandaged.  Having fought her way back from death, she discharged herself against her doctor’s wishes in order fulfill an oath she made to her father.

Unsteady on her feet, she held on to Carmine’s arm, “Ya see Dom, papa taught me some things; one, loyalty is never guaranteed, and two, always hide the evidence,” she said taking a manila envelope out of her long coat.  Dumping  the contents on to the ground, out came a ledger Dom was hiding from the boss along with several pictures of him with rival crime bosses.

As Dominic’s face went pale, Cassie went on, “You cooked the books Dom, and when papa found out, you had him executed.  Your own damn father!” Cassie said with disgust.

Shaking and sweating, Dominic knew his time on this earth was up.  “You can’t believe her, she’s crazy!” he said pleading with Carmine.  However, Carmine just rose his hand silencing Dominic.

As their final act of revenge, Cassie joined Amato, and turning their backs, they slowly walked out of the park.  As they exited the gate, they heard multiple gun shots but never looked back.

When they got to the car, Amato saw Cassie losing her color.  “What are you crazy leaving the hospital like that?  You’re going back.”

“Doesn’t matter, I kept my word,” she said as she slid down the side of the car and to the pavement.  Amato sprung into action and got her in the car and called ahead to the hospital.  Seeing he didn’t have that much time, he raced through the streets nearly hitting a delivery truck.

Pulling up to the emergency room parking lot, he kissed Cassie on the cheek before several orderlies put her on the gurney.  Watching as they disappeared into the hospital, he had this awful feeling that this was the last time he’d ever see her again.

Author Bio:

Rachel Rueben is author of the bestselling YA novel “Hag” and “The Eternal Bond Series” both available on Wattpad. To keep up with Rachel, you can sign up for her frighteningly entertaining newsletter here.