Boy was my mom right because if I knew my woman at all, the second she knew she was safe, she was going to lay into me. Yeah, the last time I saw her, I wasn’t exactly happy with her either but in my defense, she was being obstinate and too damn smart for her own good.
Look, I knew she was right. I admit that but I wasn’t going to tell her that! I knew enough about women that the second they were told they were right, the world shifted and it was the beginning of the end for men.
I loved Donatella.
She was right…ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time. I was hanging onto that point one tenth of a percent as if it was a lifeline!
Still, she wasn’t going to let me forget that she knew exactly what was going to happen and part of me couldn’t wait to hear it.
“Look at him Merc,” I heard Declan say. “He’s smitten.”
Merc laughed.
“Do they even say smitten anymore?” I asked, flipping Declan off.
“Well, they should. It’s a great description of you.”
“So, tell us Lorenzo. What really put that look on your face?” Merc asked.
“Donatella and I were arguing before the explosion. I didn’t want to listen to her. She kept going on and on about percentages and shit that made no sense to me. She was mad. Like really mad.”
“And that has you smiling?” Dec questioned.
I grinned. “My woman has a mean right foot. Which reminds me, do these outfits have cups?”
Both men laughed as the helicopter veered off to the left, circling, as it readied to land. Looking out the side, I saw the large warehouse. Several vehicles were parked everywhere and right as the helicopter touched down, I saw Sylvia St. James and several of her men run for the vehicles.
That fucking bitch was here.
With Donatella!
Jumping from the helicopter, I didn’t care about anything but getting to her. With my gun in my hand, I made my way towards the door her aunt had just run out of.
“We hold until Jonas is in position,” Merc stated.
I didn’t want to wait. She was in there. She could be hurt. She needed me.
“Lorenzo, you will go in with Declan. Understood.”
I was about to reply when I heard her scream.
And that was all it took before I kicked the door open.
Thirty-Three
Donatella
I awoke sometime later to the sounds of birds chirping, flitting around free to enjoy the warmth of the sun. I could feel a cool breeze along my skin, stimulating every damaged part of my body. The warmth from underneath was gritty like sandpaper as it scratched my skin. It smelled fresh, earthy as if I was lying in the dirt. Opening my eyes caused me to moan. My face hurt. I tried to sit up but that sent waves of agonizing pain straight to my abdomen. My sight was blurry. Everything meshed together like a watercolor painting. Nothing was discernable.
Closing my eyes, I relied on my other sense. Smell was first.
I was outside. I felt it more than knew it. My right hand flexed, then curled as I grabbed grass, dirt and sand. It had recently rained. The air was crisp and clean.
I could also smell salt from the ocean.
Next was sound. I was near water. I could hear the waves crashing against the shore. Birds still chirped. I could hear the wind blowing through the trees. I could also hear people talking. They were speaking Spanish.
“El barco estará aquí en diez minutos.”