Awake My Heart (The Bentini Brothers Book 3) Read Free

memory.  “How the hell do you know
about that?” he demands distractedly, recalling how Kathy had come out of
nowhere and given him a piece of her mind during an argument he was having with
his brother Nick.  There she was five-feet nothing, hissing up at him like an
enraged tabby.  He was a gonner from that very moment he just didn’t know it.  “I’m
ashamed to say that I’ve treated her abominably.”  Gabby leans close to catch
his whispered words.  “But I mean to make it up to her.”  Then casting his
liquid gaze upward, he pleads, “Dear God, please let her wake up!…let her be
okay, she deserves so much more than this!”  Gabby throws her arms around
Will’s big shoulders, relieved when he accepts comfort from her.  “Kathy’s
going to recover Will, you have to believe that!”  Before either of them can
say another word, they look up to see their parents entering the private
waiting room that Gabby was finally able to coax him to.
         “William, what are you doing here?”  Mrs. Bentini asks
surprised to see her son.  “He gave me a ride, mom,” Gabby quickly volunteers.
          “How is Kathy?”  Mr. Bentini inquires, sincere concern etched
in every line of his face.  “Yes, how is she?”  Mrs. Bentini adds.
         “Still unconscious, I’m afraid.  They kicked us out of the
room while the doctors examine her again.  But I have Dr. Phillips in there
with her this time; he’ll tell me exactly what’s going on.”  William frowns as
he stares out the window, missing the perplexed looks passing between Mr. and
Mrs. Bentini.
         Once again, Gabby quickly intercedes to distract their
parents.  “Mom, do you know how to get in touch with Kathy’s family?  No one
seems to have any contact information for her parents, not even Ms. Carlito.”
         “I’ll take care of that.  I’m sure Antonio will be able to get
me their contact information,” Will offers adamantly as he turns from the
window.
         Mrs. Bentini stiffens at the mention of Antonio’s name,
vividly recalling his cool reception yesterday here in this very room.
         “William?”  Mrs. Bentini begins hesitantly.  “The way you two
work so hard to avoid each other’s company, I was under the impression that you
and Katherine didn’t care for one another.”
         Looking directly at his mother, he tells her the truth, “No mom,
as a matter of fact just the opposite.”
         “I don’t understand.”
         “Mom, dad, you should hear this directly from me.  Kathy and
I…well, we are involved …”
         “What do you mean?”
         “We are involved with each other and we have been for a
long time now.”
         “William what are you saying,” Mrs. Bentini snaps, fearing she
knows exactly what he’s admitting to.
         “I’m trying to tell you that Kathy and I have been seeing each
other, off and on, for years.”
         When the full impact of what he is saying hits her, she
responds, incredulous.  “But William, that’s not possible.  You and Alison are
engaged to be married.”
         “I’m breaking the engagement as soon as Alison gets back from
Europe.”
         “William Leonardo Bentini.  How could you!”  Mrs. Bentini
demands furiously.
         “Marella, don’t berate the boy.  This is not the time nor the
place.  Can’t you see he’s hurting?”  Without saying another word, Mrs. Bentini
turns to leave the waiting room, practically running into Antonio and Tiressa
as they are entering.
         After a slight pause, Tiressa and Antonio move further into
the room.  “Mother,” Antonio allows his cool gray eyes to rest on her indifferently. 
“Hello Mrs. Bentini,” Tiressa greets warily. Distressed by Mrs. Bentini’s
contemptuous stare, she attempts to loosen her entwined fingers from Antonio’s,
but he holds her hand securely, giving a little squeeze of reassurance.
         With