The Mafia's Physician

Chapter Three

A week passed by since Evelyn heard from her body and she had the feeling she was going to meet him soon; believing on the declaration he made the last time they had spoken. But she did not think she would meet him like this.

Evelyn returned home, fatigue draped over her like a heavy blanket and expecting warmth away from the faint chill that filled the air. She pushed open the door expecting the familiar creak of the floorboards beneath her feet. But what she found sent a jolt of adrenaline through her veins.

Her brother, Aaron, lay on the floor, surrounded by a group of men whose rough clothing and menacing demeanor painted a grim picture. He was covered in bruises, barely able to lift his head and the sight made her heart plummet.

“Aaron!” she screamed, rushing forward but two men grabbed her just before she could get to him, their grips firm as iron. Panic surged within her.

“Who are you? What are you doing to him?” She struggled against their hold all the while trying to get to her brother.

A tall man emerged from the shadows. He had a scary knife scar on his face, or probably a burn, Evelyn could not tell. He also appeared to be in his late fifties but that did not deter his handsome experience a bit. But just a look at him, she could tell he was a dangerous person as she felt the cold hollow creeping fingers of fear on her skin as she laid her eyes on him.

A sinister smirk curling his lips. “So this is the rabbit’s sister, huh? The little doctor”, he said mockingly while his eyes glinted in malicious delight.

Once again, two of the bulky men starting kicking and stomping on the bloodied Aaron.

“Leave him alone!” Evelyn shouted, her pulse racing as she desperately assessed the situation. “Why are you doing this?”

The man chuckled darkly, stepping closer to her, relishing her fear. “Your brother tried to get smart with him and steal my goods. “Isn’t that right, cunt?”

Evelyn’s heart broke and her breath was caught in her throat as she watched her brother wince at his words, a mix of shame and pain evident on his battered face. “Evelyn, don’t __” he started but the men kicked him again, silencing him with a pained gasp.

“Stay quiet, loser”, one of them sneered and then turning to Evelyn. “You’re about to see just how low your brother can go.”

Evelyn’s heart raced and tears unwittingly streamed down her face as the reality of the situation crashed down at her. “I’ll pay you! I’ll pay you so just let him go, please.”

The man leaned in closer, his breath rancid and whispered ominously, “Oh, pretty little doctor, I think you should be more worried about yourself right now. God knows what’s gonna happen to you if I don’t get my goods.”

“Please”, a silent whimper came from the bloodied Aaron lying on the floor while struggling to lift himself up.

“Please Marco, don’t touch my sister.”

Marco turned to Aaron at the mention of his name. “I told you I’ll let you go if you just tell me where the goods are. It wouldn’t have gotten to this if you had told me from the start.”

Aaron broke down in a sob again. “I really don’t know. I don’t have anything to do with your drugs.”

Marcos straightened his shoulders and gave a loud frustrating sigh. Then he turned to his men and with a nudge of his head towards the table and ordered, “Hold her hand down.” There was no need to shout. His words were delivered with an eerie calmness that sent adrenaline rushing in Aaron’s veins. He watched in horror as the two burly men grabbed Evelyn’s delicate hand and slammed it down on the table, holding it in place.

“No! Please, no! Don’t do this. I really was not involved in it. Paul that sick bastard must have done something behind me but I swear I didn’t know anything about it.” Aaron’s voice cracked as he begged. He strained against his restraints like a worm and fresh tears streaked down his face. His body ached from the previous beating but the sight of his sister in danger made him trash violently, desperate to break free.

Marco ignored him, turning instead to admire the ornate case on the table. It was a beautiful piece polished to perfection with intricate patterns carved into its surface. He lifted it visually, testing its weight with a small, almost childlike smile playing on his lips and is jet black hair dancing just below his right eye. “You know”, he began, conversationally. “I once heard that a doctor’s greatest asset was their hands. I wonder what’s gonna happen when they can’t function anymore.”

Evelyn choked in a sob, her chest rising and falling rapidly while Aaron’s cries grew desperate. “Please, Marco, Please! I’m begging you! I’ll find Paul! I’ll find him, just let her go! Please! Don’t do this!”

Marco turned to Aaron, his expression unchanging. “One week” he stated coldly. “You have a week to find Paul. If you don’t…” He glanced at the vase, letting its meaning hang ominously in the air. With a sudden motion, he swung the vase towards the table where Evelyn’s hand lay. Her scream echoed through the house, raw and filled with anguish.

Aaron lost himself in his pleas. “I swear! I’ll find him! I’ll bring him to you! Please don’t hurt her”, his hoarse voice laced with fatigue.

Marco paused, eyes dark and indifferent. After a moment of tense silence, he tilted his head. “One week”, he repeated. Then he turned to his men. “Take her.”

The men dragged Evelyn towards the exit. As she was pulled, she gave him one last look of desperation but also hate and that alone shattered what little remained of Aaron’s heart. He collapsed on the floor sobbing uncontrollably, his sister’s last hateful gaze haunting him as they dragged her out of his sight.

***

Evelyn woke up to an unfamiliar setting. The hair was humid and health remnants of pain and terror. Having worked in the hospital for years she could perceive the familiar smell of blood. There was only a tiny window at one corner of the room which she perceived its only purpose for breathing as no light emerged from it.

She sat up and crouched like a ball at the furthest corner of the room all the while thinking of their fate. She had never imagined to end up in a place like this as her day started.

What’s gonna become of me? What are they gonna do to me? She never thought her brother would ever get involved in something as dangerous as this and what? Stealing? Drugs?

She knew her brother strayed far sometimes but she had never thought about that. And now she had involuntarily brought her into his mess.

The only thing she could was to hope that he rectifies whatever situation this is and then be free.