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“You’ll hear from me in a few hours.”
The line goes dead. Sabini sits back, lost in thought as if he’s assessing the call.
“You got what you wanted,” I say, hoping it will assure him.
He rises. “For your sake, I hope so.” He goes to leave.
“Can’t you take off these restraints? I don’t look like a woman who’s been rescued.” I’m sure my hair is a mess, my clothes are disheveled, and my makeup is probably smeared.
“Not until I hear back from your brother.”
His phone beeps. “Pronto,” he answers. He listens, and almost immediately, his eyes swing to me, filled with anger. He speaks quickly into the phone in Italian and then shoves it into his pocket. He goes to a table and picks up a syringe. My heart sinks.
“I’d kill you now except I need that deal with your brother.”
“What’s going on?” I shirk away as he prowls over to me. It’s a hopeless move.
He doesn’t say anything as he presses the needle into my skin. Almost immediately, I feel the effects. My vision blurs. My mind turns to fog. As I drift away, I hear a loud crash. I think there is yelling and gunfire. Or maybe it’s a dream. I don’t want to sleep, so I fight it.
I lift my head, watching as Sabini hurries to the door. He flings it open and immediately, his head jerks back. But the pull of the drug is too much, and I succumb to the lure of sleep.
“Aria!” It sounds like Luca. Could it be? The voice yells in Italian, and soon, my hands are free. I try to open my eyes, but it’s impossible. Arms wrap around me, holding me, and while I should be trying to run away, I sink into them. They feel like safety.
He’s barking out orders in Italian as he lifts me and carries me out of the room. “You’re safe, Mio Angelo.”
Mio Angelo. My angel. It must be Luca.
Everything is askew, a blur. Like I’m in a funhouse. Then I’m sitting in Luca’s lap. Movement suggests we’re in a car.
“What did he give you?” he asks.
I try to shake my head that I don’t know, but my head is heavy.
His hands cup my cheeks. I look into his eyes, so desperate, so afraid. “Don’t leave me, Aria.” I don’t want to, but darkness descends over me, anyway.
Visions come and go. I’m in New York, and a man arrives looking for Lucy. He’s handsome, and he looks at me with an intensity that takes my breath away. Luca. He’s the son of Lucy’s deceased husband. He’s different from other Dons. He has a quiet reserve. He’s loyal to his father’s wishes, which include helping Lucy in a new life. I find that sweet. Most Dons are fueled by power or revenge, my brother included.
But then I’m in Italy, and I’m confused. Luca is different. Or is he? Maybe it’s just that the rules have changed. He’s in his element. He’s the leader. He’s claimed his prize. I simply expected something different. I expected romance and didn’t think about life in general. Like a business he had to run and the type of man one had to be as a Mafia Don.
I hear yelling again. I recoil, wishing I could wake but unable to. I must be getting more drugs as I feel a prick in my arm. Something is attached there.
Later, I hear apologies and pleading to get well. Sometimes, I feel a kiss on my temple.
It takes time, but finally, I emerge from the darkness. I’m still groggy, but I’m back in the real world, out of the dream state.
Roberta says something in Italian, and moments later, a commotion sounds in my room.
“You fucking stay away from her.” Niko’s voice fills the room.
“I will not.” Luca’s voice is defiant, daring Niko to stop him.
My head is heavy as I turn it to look at the two men I love. Two men who clearly want to kill each other.
17
LUCA
Niko has disrespected me in my own home. In front of my staff. I’m well within my right to kill him here and now. But I don’t. Only because of Aria. Who the hell knows what she endured. I won’t kill her brother in front of her.
