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I let out a sob. He knew about it when he married me and didn’t say a word. What other secrets is he hiding?
What other terrible crimes are lurking in his past?
Coming here, back under the same roof with him, it blinded me to reality. He was my first love, the only man who’s ever claimed my heart. And my body. Our sexual connection, the passion, it swept me up into thinking that he’s changed. That we could be something real, away from all the mafia complications and our parents’ old betrayals. A fresh start.
But even though a part of me may always love him…
Is that love enough?
I sit a little straighter, making a decision. The only one I can: to protect myself. Hardening my heart against him is the only option. The affection that drove me to follow him tonight, to save his life, it has to be the last kindness I show him. Because if I let myself love him again…
I know, it’ll be the end of me.
Somebody clears their throat in the doorway, and I startle. It’s the doctor.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Barretti—”
I wince. “Lily, please.”
He nods. “I’d like to talk to you about your husband’s condition.”
“Fine.” I nod, tired.
“Well, first of all, I don’t want you to worry. Nero will make a full recovery.”
He pauses, and I know that he’s expecting some kind of reaction from me, probably relief. Well, he’s not getting that.
“Is that all?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.
“Uh… N-no. I just wanted to give you a full rundown of his injuries.”
I can tell that he’s shocked by my cold reaction as he tells me about Nero’s scrapes and bruises. He has a couple of bruised ribs and a minor concussion, and he lost a lot of blood. Overall, it’s a miracle that he isn’t more injured, considering the circumstances.
“I gave him a bottle of pain meds, and you’ll want to make sure that he follows the directions. They’re strong.”
“Anything else?”
“No, I guess not.” He gives me another puzzled look. “I’ll check back tomorrow. Well, I guess it’s tomorrow now, isn’t it? Either way, call if anything else comes up.”
He pauses, then exits. I hear him head downstairs and talk in a low voice with Chase in the foyer. A moment later, they both leave. The door closes behind them.
I’m alone.
Except, not really. Nero is still down there, planning God knows what.
Curiosity sends me down the stairs again. I find Nero in the kitchen, looking pained as he tries to reach for a glass from the cabinet.
My instinct is to go to him and see what I can do to help, but I force myself to stay where I am.
He looks over. “I need a glass of water,” he says.
I stare back. “The faucet’s right there.”
Hobbling across the room, Nero reaches the sink. He runs the cold water, then pops a couple of those painkillers.
“Thanks a lot for the help,” he says, voice thick with sarcasm. “It’s nice to know that I’ve got such a loving wife.”
My temper flares. “What do you expect, after everything you’ve done?”
