The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 66

Alessio

"Ales," Gian opened his eyes, trying to speak. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, and only a few murmurs slipped past his lips. He didn't have a lot of energy, and whatever was left—he used to gasp for air.

"I'll call for help," Jay yelled, sprinting away with Sal behind him.

"I'll call Domenico," Levi said.

"Don't tell him about…" My voice trailed off, thinking about Uncle Stefano. That was not something to tell him over the phone, and if anything—I should be the one to do it. Who knew how he would react?

"I know," Levi nodded, then made his way outside. If it were up to me, I would've picked up my brother and driven him to the hospital myself, but I was no doctor and didn't know how much more harm that could cause him.

"Uncle…dead," Gian managed to whisper, fighting through the pain. "He told me…hide…survive…I went…and then—" his words were cut short by a fit of coughing followed by more shivers.

"Stop talking," I urged him, unable to bear seeing him like this any longer. That fear in his eyes? This wasn't my brother.

Without a second thought, I stripped off my shirt and then my jacket before pulling thEmily over his head in a desperate attEmilypt to keep him warm. Following my lead, Donni did the same. I could freeze to death for all I cared—but not my brother. I had never been that big on praying, but I was praying he wouldn't die on me.

I wrapped my arms around my brother and placed his head on my lap, thinking this could be our final moments. Even though we had been inseparable from the day he was born, all my life I had bullied him, teased him, underestimated him—and now I wished I hadn't.

The thought of someone as weak as Jason, killing Uncle and hurting Gian to this degree seEmilyed beyond belief. I could not accept this was done by the same guy who couldn't even throw a punch. It was Emilybarrassing, humiliating.

"Did you see the face of the person who did this?" I asked, even though I knew he wasn't in the right mind to answer. It pained me to consider the worst-case scenario, but I had to know—in case he wouldn't make it.

"I heard Uncle argue…I couldn't hear anything but a gunshot…then I heard t-this g-guy…" Gian breathed with each word. "He s-said you s-stole Emily f-from him a-and that he's w-with the B-Baldinis now."

My chest tightened with guilt. Of course, I hadn't expected Leonardo Baldini to sit back and not do anything, but I hadn't expected him to join forces with Jason either. I never meant for any of this to happen or for the Baldinis' hatred to go this far.

"Was he on his own? How many voices did you hear?" I asked, looking down at his fingers. I swallowed hard, seeing the tips were black.

"T-Three or f-four."

Enough said. Leonardo went as far as lending Jason his men. This was only the beginning.

"You should've never let her into this family," Gian spoke, his face stoned but his eyes full of anger.