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“You’re right,” I tell her firmly. “I remember now. I found it, even though it was pretty well protected by a ward. But what does it mean? Surely, the whole Bargain can’t be broken as easily as, I don’t know, burning the fucking paper it’s written on?”

“I don’t think so,” Minnie replies. “But I also don’t know so. Now, even more than before, we need to head to Italy. We need to meet with Bruno Lombardi and get some answers. And you, Luca, you need to stay here and build up your strength. Talk to the other Coscas. Build alliances or just take control. You need to be stronger than you’ve ever been before.”

“What do you mean?” I snap back. “I’m fine.”

She leans across the table, places a small hand on my arm. “For now, maybe. But when I touched that paper, those signatures? Those blurred lines? I saw something. I saw blood and fire and death. I saw chaos. You know I always had a theory about the blood spell that tied you two together was cast by a witch with the power of clairvoyance? Someone who had seen the future and knew that you and Rosa should be together?”

“Yeah. Yet another thing we don’t actually know.”

“Yes. But I think that was what she saw. The whole world was burning, Luca, and you were right in the middle of it. I don’t know if that was the future that would have played out if Vincenzo and Tomasso had been successful, or if it’s something different. I’m not sure the threat is over. You need to be careful.”

I growl and feel like smashing something. Of course I fucking do.

Chapter 20

Rosa

Ihave traveled extensively in Italy. I speak the language; I love the food; I view it as a second home. But right now, I hate the fact that I’m here. I want to be back in New York with Luca.

Things have moved along swiftly. Matteo and Donna took out an entire therapy center full of perverts, apparently. I don’t know the full details, but I’m guessing nobody will shed a tear for their loss. It was a wise choice, because there are so many potential perpetrators that the police are spinning their wheels. Matteo has been doing this kind of thing for years, and he knows how to cover his tracks. This was a bigger hit than usual and a risk, but it worked—Pietro logged all the evidence, uploaded the gruesome photos, and attracted enough attention to receive an invitation for them to take part in the next tournament. Pietro has set up his profile with enough layers of fake to convince even the best of tech guys that the Bastard Brigade “crew”—in reality just Matteo and Donna—is based in Hoboken.

We know that my grandfather is behind all of this, and we know he’s targeting Cosca territory, so the crew being near New York gives them a head start. Pietro is viewing it as a Trojan horse, hoping to tempt Tomasso into a trap. I’m not so sure. Pietro has underestimated him before. Tomasso hasn’t lived as long as he has and got away with all the shit he has by being stupid.

Still, I have to leave them to it. Donna has Matteo, Stefano, and Luca on her side, plus a whole elite vamp hit squad, so if things go wrong and she starts getting Called while I’m not there, then she has the backup she needs. It’ll be harder for her, but I know she can do it. I’ll help as much as I can long distance for the time being.

She says she’s fine with it, but I know I’m leaving behind a mess, and I don’t like it. More importantly, I’m leaving behind Luca, and I like that even less. There’s a new sadness to him now, and I totally understand it. He’s spent his whole life assuming his mother didn’t want him, and now he knows that wasn’t true. That something terrible happened, that he was taken, because there’s no way she would have given him up voluntarily. He has gained her only to lose her again. Even though a magical echo of her appeared while he was blacked out, in the real world, she is long gone, and he knows that. I mourn my parents, my sisters, Serena and Angela, but at least I knew them. At least I got the chance to love them and know that I was loved in return.

My hand goes to my amulet. I hold it in my palm. Open my mind to Luca. We’re both feeling our way through this, and I hope it works. I could just call him, of course, the ordinary way, but I need the comfort of having him inside my mind. Of knowing that we’re still able to connect like this.

For a few moments, nothing. Then the familiar buzz, like the old-fashioned sound of dial-up internet mixed with radio static. Then him.

Are you there, bella? Are you safe?

I smile, and Minnie rolls her eyes at me, makes little love heart gestures with her fingers and thumbs. I ignore her.

I am. We’re in the car now, heading towards the lakes. I miss you.

I know. I miss you too. You are the love of my life, and you have magnificent tits.

I laugh out loud, and the driver glances at me in the mirror, looking surprised.

Yeah, thanks, I reply. You’re not so bad yourself. One day, this will all be over, Luca. One day, we’ll retire. Buy a little villa somewhere and just fuck our way into old age. We’ll do it on rocking chairs on our porch, even if we have hip replacements and hearing aids.

I can hear the smile in his voice as he replies. That sounds perfect. Now I must go. Aidan is speaking to the other Dons, and they’re not playing nice. I’m just about out of patience with them.

Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

He laughs. Well. That gives me plenty of leeway, as you are a vampire hunter and they are vampires. I will try to refrain from killing them, but I make no promises.

He pauses, and I know what he is thinking about. The advice his magical mother gave him. Aim for peace but be ready for war? I say.

Exactly. My life motto. I will check in with you later.

I slump slightly as he leaves, feeling empty without him. Minnie nudges me. “We’re nearly there.”

I nod, look out the window. We flew into Milan and were met by Bruno’s driver. The journey from the ancient city to the lakes took a couple of hours, and the scenery was spectacular. Mountains, valleys, stone-built towns golden in the sunlight. The lakes themselves, sparkling and clear, fringed by lush gardens. It is beautiful, but it would be even more beautiful with him at my side.

The main lakes—Como, Garda, and Maggiore—are popular tourist destinations, their shores dotted with exclusive hotels, jetties, boats. The whole area is a playground. The Lombardis, though, live in seclusion, tucked away in their very own territory. Further north, hidden in the shadow of the Dolomite mountains, is the Lago dei Fiori—the lake of flowers. I’ve never been here, and the Lombardis rarely leave. Since the death of their daughter, Anna, when I was only a young child, they have all but withdrawn from the world.