Holding his body over mine, he catches his breath and pulls me to him briefly before he rolls over.
I have no idea where this leaves us. The situation just became more complicated.
We’re not teenagers and I don’t expect a warm snuggle session afterwards, so I’m surprised when he pulls me to his chest.
“Stay with me after this ordeal is over, Francesca.”
I can’t believe my ears. He’s asking me to stay here with him. No matter how I might want to, I can’t commit to a man in the mafia.
His question poses too many vulnerabilities for me. To live with his family is declaring war on my own. I swore to never fall for a man in organized crime as I’d hate to end up on the losing side of any relationship dispute.
“I can’t,” I whisper, so low, my voice doesn’t sound like it’s mine.
He’s quiet and I turn on my side to get a good look at him and gently place my hand on his chest. His face is void of emotion.
“Look, I have some bad news,” he states ominously.
“What?” My first thought is that they found Sofia.
“The word on the streets is that your bothers are looking for you and ordered a hit.”
I bolt upright, my hands falling away from him and clutching the sheet around me.
“What?” My head is foggy. I let my guard down and now my worst fears materialize.
“I’m told they tapped your grandmother’s phone. She still uses a landline, and your burner phone is the only thing that prevented them from knowing exactly where you are, but they will figure it out soon enough.”
“Right.”
“We’ll mobilize and head south tomorrow.”
He gets up and after a delicious kiss on my lips, he dresses and walks toward the door.
“You’re leaving?”
“I can’t lay next you and not stay up all night doing what we just did. We both need sleep. Get your rest.”
He closes the door behind him.
Rest? Is he for real?
Fuck that.
I’m heading out tonight, and I’ll take his car because my Rolls will be recognized. I pack a small bag with my work tools and some clothes, all black of course.
While Matteo is out back smoking, I know the alarm is off and I slip downstairs and out the front door, I push the car while it’s in neutral and hop in at the road, start the engine and make my escape without a sound.
I left a note and hope he understands and won’t be too pissed. I have to strike my family first, while I still have the element of surprise,
16
Sal
Iwake up energized and slightly buzzed from last night with Francesca. Stretching in front of my window, I can’t help but smile remembering how her eyes turned dark with jealousy when I brought up Carla.
I tug on jeans and a polo and head downstairs. I’m the first one up but I can sense something is wrong. The energy in the house is different and I call out to Matteo to check on Francesca as I head back upstairs.
Matteo opens her bedroom door, and we find ourselves staring at pillows arranged under the blanket to look like she is sleeping.