“I know.” Reaper sighed. We both knew what would happen if Dylan learned the truth. He would disappear. Then everyone would have a target on their backs. No one would be safe. I wanted so much to go with Reaper and help him explain to my brother, but I couldn’t leave Gio. He needed me too.
I had to trust that Reaper would be able to contain Dylan. Though I knew it was impossible, he had to try. Nodding, I quickly hugged Reaper and whispered, “Make sure he doesn’t kill himself.”
“That’s the plan.” Reaper said, releasing me, then added, “I’m leaving Massacre here for you. He will protect you and represent the club. Sal, if he gets lippy you have my permission to knock him out.”
“Hey!” Massacre shouted as Sal grinned.
“You will behave. Understood?”
“Yeah, boss. I understand.”
“Good. Gio, is there anything I need to know before I leave?”
“No. I will take care of everything on my end. I will have Antonio send you all the information from the upcoming meetings. Just keep Dylan alive.”
Nodding, Reaper quickly left, and in that instant, I felt as if I was being torn in half. I wanted to follow, but I needed to stay.
I couldn’t be in two places at once.
I hated this.
Walking past Gio, I entered the master bedroom and quietly shut the doors behind me. I needed some time alone. So much was happening, and all of it was out of my control. I just needed a minute to think.
I knew that Gio wouldn’t be far behind me. So, when his arms wrapped around my waist, I leaned against him as I continued to look over the beautiful, picturesque landscape. It indeed was beautiful here, and if I had more time, I would love to explore and see all the sights.
Part of me felt connected to this land. Though I wasn’t ready to accept that, it did feel like home in some way. It wasn’t the mountains that was for sure, but the beauty and culture of Italy did call to me on some fundamental level.
Watching the sunset before I said, “When Dylan and I were younger, we did everything together. When one of us got hurt, we never left each other’s side. We were each other’s rock. He will be hurting when he wakes up, and I won’t be there to help him through it. What kind of sister does that make me?”
“Dylan knows you love him,Tesoro. He knows if you could be there, you would be. Reaper will explain everything to him.”
“It’s not the same. These people here are not my family. We may share blood that that doesn’t make them family, Gio.”
“I know you feel that, and with your history, I understand, but the fact of the matter is they are your family. Give them a chance to earn your trust.”
“Do you trust them?”
Gio chuckled. “No.”
Turning to face him, I asked, “Then why are we here?”
“You know why Layla. We need their help. Today may have not gone as planned, but it’s still too early to tell. We must see this through.”
“And if nothing changes?”
“Then we go home to Chicago, and we will take care of our own.”
“I don’t like that Carmine asshole.”
“Carmine Capribella does take some getting used to. The man doesn’t follow the old ways. Never has, but Dario will keep him in line.”
“You sure about that?”
“No.”
I don’t know how long we stayed in each other’s arms watching the sun set over Italy, but when the streetlights turned on, the small village we were staying in reminded me of something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It was stunning.
A light knock at the door had us both turning to see Sal peeking his head in. He smiled when he saw us but then quickly hid his features. “We have a guest.”