Chapter 14 - Complications
Tomas's men drew their weapons, but he yelled at them to step back and put their guns away.
Epiphany saw the whole thing and was ready to call the cops, but then paused when the men stepped backward.
"If you ever touch Elizabeth again, no one will ever find you and I will make sure that you suffer beyond reason."
Tomas didn't say anything. He just stared at Michael with a blank expression. His initial plan was to take over the organization, but with the five families monitoring the situation so closely, it wouldn't be wise.
Michael felt Johnny touch his arm and retreated.
Epiphany joined them. "Is there a problem?"
"No, Mr. Santi was just leaving," Michael said nicely.
Tomas straightened out his suit and turned to leave.
"How is Liz?" Michael said focusing on Epiphany.
"She is in x-ray. She should be coming out in a few minutes. I'll let you see her as soon as I can." She smiled at Michael.
"Thank you."
He tracked her as she left and then shot an angry look at Johnny.
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
Johnny sighed and then sat. He filled Michael in on what had been going on.
"You didn't trust me."
Johnny noted how much older Michael looked in such a short period.
"I'm sorry. I thought it was handled."
"If you are going to be my right hand, you have to be honest with me no matter what."
Johnny nodded. "I apologize and I was wrong. I should have given you more credit than I did."
Michael sighed and then rolled his neck as he tried to work out some tension. While it wasn't Johnny's fault, he wishes that he would have known so he could have prepared.
"What do you want to do about Tomas?"
"I want you to find some way to piss in his coffee."
Johnny knew just what he meant and already had an idea.
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Michael entered Liz's room. She still hadn't regained consciousness.
"Wake up, baby."
He laid his head on her stomach and listened to her heartbeat. About ten minutes later, he felt her stir.
"Liz?"
Her eyes fluttered, so he grabbed the remote and pressed the button to page a nurse.
Liz started murmuring, "The boys…"
"They are fine. They are with Milo at the compound and I texted Felix and he's going to go check on them."
She smiled but not for the reason Michael was thinking. She figured that Felix probably broke his neck to get over there and see Milo.
"How are you feeling?"
Before Liz could answer, Patrick, strode towards them. Michael stepped back and Patrick started examining her.
"Michael, can you step out for a minute?"
Michael nervously nodded and went into the hallway.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Drake Jr."
Patrick smiled.
"What year is it?"
"2014."
"Who is the President?"
"Romney."
Patrick snapped his head up to find that Liz is smiling.
"Very funny..."
Patrick checked Liz's eyes. "You sure you want to subject yourself and the boys to this kind of life?
Liz swallowed hard. "It was an accident. I lost my balance and fell."
Patrick made a face. "If you say so…" He checked her reflexes. "How are you feeling?"
"My head hurts."
"Well that is because you cracked it pretty hard."
"Can I go home?"
Patrick studied her. "No, I want to keep you here overnight. You have a concussion."
Liz nodded but tears were starting to trickle down her cheeks. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm crying."
Patrick grabbed her hand, "You just went through a scary event. Naturally, your body has to process that. Let me go get Michael." He squeezed her hand and then left.
"What's wrong baby?" Michael said as he saw the tears flowing down her face.
"I don't know. I'm just feeling emotional."
"Hold on." He dialed his phone and then pushed the speaker button before holding it out towards Liz.
"Felix?"
They could hear the boys laughing and screaming.
"Michael?"
"Yes, I'm here with Liz."
"Hey, mob wife. Thank goodness you have a hard head."
Liz laughed.
"Michael, you might want to send backup. The boys have Milo pinned to the floor. It's getting ugly in here."
Michael chuckled.
There was a scream and Felix yelled, "No, Cam, that is my good leg—I'm going down— send help!"
They could hear Cameron squeal with delight and say, "I'm the boss," as the phone went dead.
Liz had the biggest smile on her face.
"See, I knew I could get you to smile," Michael said before kissing her.
Epiphany entered the room and swatted Michael. "Get away from her mouth and let that poor girl breathe."
Liz started laughing when Michael actually listened to Epiphany.
"You sure you don't want to come to work for me?"
"Boy, your people can't handle this," Piph said pointing to herself.
Michael and Liz grinned.
"Now, you have to go. I need her to get some rest. She has a long night ahead since we'll have to keep waking her up."
Liz groaned.
Michael leaned over her and quickly kissed her before staring into her eyes. "I love you."
She smiled and said it back. "Tell the boys I love them and miss them."
"I will."
Liz watched him leave and then suddenly, Johnny appeared and smiled.
"Epiphany, can I have a moment with Johnny and then I promise to behave tonight?"
Epiphany looked at her for a moment and then sighed and turned towards the door. "Fine, I'll hold you to that."
Johnny moved inside and then kissed Liz on the forehead before he sat. She could tell that he is probably torturing himself.
"It's not your fault." She grabbed his hand.
Johnny shook his head. "Yes, it is. I should have handled it differently. I should have told Michael too."
"I didn't want to tell Michael either."
"I know but now he thinks that I don't trust him. He confronted Tomas in the waiting room."
Liz's eyes grew big.
"Relax, he handled it very well actually. I don't know if I would have done the same, but he kept himself in check."
Liz relaxed again. "I guess we both should have given him more credit."
"I'm just glad you're alright. You scared me so badly. I held you in my arms the whole way to the hospital and you never moved."
Liz felt the tears well up in her eyes. "Thank you for taking such good care of me."
Johnny took a deep breath. "If Tomas ever comes up to you again, I want you to tell me."
"I promise I will." She squeezed his hand and said, "I have something to ask you though."
Johnny nodded.
"I want you to find someone to teach me how to defend myself. There might be a time when I need to be ready to fight and protect my boys and myself. I felt so helpless and small sitting there in the park. I don't want to ever feel like that again," she said with tears falling down her cheeks.
Johnny reached up and gently wiped them away. "Whatever you want. It's probably a really good idea anyway."
"Thank you."
Johnny smiled at her toughness. He hadn't expected her to be like this and admired her in that moment.
"Well, I've got to go." He stood. "Try to dial down your beauty a bit will you? I can't have every mobster in the tri-state area coming after you. I'll never get anything done."
Liz chuckled as he watched him leave. She is very grateful that he always seems to show up when she needs him.