“Handle what?” she said, walking up behind me. “Who’s this? Another family bodyguard?”
“Not necessarily,” I growled.
I did nothing as the man stuck out his hand, taking Donatella’s and kissing the top of it, before he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Donatella. I’ve heard many wonderful things about you.”
“Funny. I haven’t heard anything about you.”
“That’s because Lorenzo keeps me hidden. He doesn’t like me much. I hear you are studying to be a biomedical engineer. There are many wonderful things happening in the field. What is your course of study?”
“The genetic sequencing in DNA that causes Alzheimer’s.”
“Pharma or government?”
“Neither. I’m not doing this for fame or money and I wouldn’t help the government if my life depended on it. I want to help people. I don’t believe in altering DNA anymore. I believe the human body is capable of healing itself. I just need to know what genes cause the disease, then I can counter that with a regiment and the body’s natural healing ability.”
“A true healer. Rare in today’s world. Are you not concerned about what people will do with your research?”
“I don’t put much stock in people. I believe in myself.”
“Admirable trait. Still, Big Pharma and the Government might have a say in what you can and can’t do. From my standpoint, they don’t like anyone interfering with their bank accounts.”
“Seems to me that’s all the government and pharma have been doing for decades.”
“You’re smart. I like you,” he grinned taking out a card from the inside of his jacket handing it to her. I said nothing as Donatella took the card. “When you get close, give me a call. I know someone who will help you publish.”
“Thank you.”
“Baby, can you give me a minute? I need a moment alone with our visitor.” I asked, never taking my eyes off him. I said nothing more as Donatella walked upstairs and when I heard her bedroom door shut, I pushed the man up against the wall. “Stay away from her. I don’t want her anywhere near this shit. Understood?”
“She is already a part of it. I’m just making sure she stays alive.”
Letting the man go, I took a step back. “Look, I get this is a mess and the bigger picture is complicated. I saw the information. Read it twice just to make sure I understood it all correctly. I don’t know how I will be able to help you but I want to. For her. For me. For my family but keeping her safe is my top priority. Can you assure me that no matter what I do, she will stay safe?”
“I can.”
“Then count me in.”
He grinned, shook my hand and said, “Meet me at seven tonight at Valentine’s.”
Nodding, I said nothing more as he walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway. Turning, I searched for Donatella only to find her minutes later standing on the back deck overlooking the vast forest that was now my backyard.
Even I had to admit, I felt closed off, secluded from the real world, as I looked out into the trees. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Neither of us said anything as we both just looked out into the forest. Part of me wanted to stay like this forever. Just the two of us alone in the world but I knew that was impossible.
Maybe someday it would just be us.
The severity of my feelings for her was all-consuming. I’d never felt this way before. It was scary yet exciting. My whole life I only cared about myself. Now, everything I thought of, I considered her wants and needs. I thought it funny that only after a few short days she had embedded herself into my soul.
I wondered if this was how my mom felt when she met my dad. I had heard her tell me the story my whole life. Though I didn’t want to believe such a love was possible, deep down I wondered, even envied her. Now, I wanted so badly to talk to her. To ask her so many questions. I needed her advice, her guidance but she was no longer with us and I was going to have to wade through everything on my own.
“Is he here to take me home?” her voice barely whispered in the wind, causing me to ask, “Who?”
“My cousin.”
I didn’t know what she was talking about. As far as I knew her cousin hadn’t shown up yet. At least Gio hadn’t said anything. “I don’t understand the question. Your cousin hasn’t arrived yet.”
“I’m not stupid, Lorenzo. I know that was my cousin you were talking with in the hallway. Is he here to take me away?”
That brought me up short. The only person I talked to in the hallway was the Guardian. The very man who was going to help me clear my slate and in return I was going to help him do some horrible things. Turning her to me, I asked, “That wasn’t your cousin, Donatella. The man I was talking to is….”