Page 87 of Lorenzo

Emily looks into my eyes.

“You’re saying you hold me dear?” she says, her firm gaze demanding honesty.

There it is.

The urge to back away from the truth is strong. Even after tonight, it’s difficult to commit.

“Of course,” I say.

Once I utter the words, I feel an overwhelming sense of relief.

I’ve said it.

I reach out to stroke her silky red hair.

“You’re precious to me. More than you know.”

I struggle to maintain my usual composure.

Emily throws her arms around me and I hold her close.

Girls have been crushing on me since kindergarten.

And the harder they threw themselves at me, the easier it was to push them away.

Until Emily.

She stands, still holding Biscotti.

“I want to believe that, Lorenzo. Given what we’ve experienced together the last few days, I almost do.”

“Then believe it, because it’s true.”

I stand to hug her. Biscotti, squeezed between us, yips.

We both laugh and break apart.

“I’m going to take you and Biscotti home. Take a bath. Relax. I’ll have my crew come over and scrub this place down. When Mike and Paul come in tomorrow, they won’t notice a thing amiss.”

She nods.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 37

EMILY

By the time the sun breaks through the floor-to-ceiling bedroom window, it’s already late.

Lorenzo’s place in the bed beside me is empty, the sheets already cool.

I lie in bed for a moment, the memory of receiving the entrails still sharp in my mind.

I’m not sure what disturbs me most. The realization that they were human entrails, according to the conversation I overheard Lorenzo having with Dante. Or the fact they were delivered to me personally.

Clearly, my life is in jeopardy.

And if the Russians are targeting me to force the Ricci family’s hand.