Nineteen
“Things are moving so fast. I can’t believe today is the day that Tootsie and Zoe come back to life.” I spritzed perfume in the air and walked through the mist. “You’ll be home any day now.”
“It’ll take a little time for me to be processed out, but I have Fern at the ready.”
“Fern,” I scoffed, going downstairs to the office, where I’d set up shop until Luca was officially home.
Luca laughed. “How’s Marco doing?”
“Not great. Mickey’s been in a medically induced coma for a week now, and nothing’s changed.” I logged into my laptop and scrolled, looking for an email from Ashley. “Add to that, Adriana officially lives in Chicago now, and the guy is going through it.”
“I can’t wait until I’m out of here. There’s so much shit to clean up.”
“Just so we’re clear, I get you first, then you can play Mr. Bossman.”
“Sounds good to me.”
My actual cellphone rang, and I sighed. “Your mom’s calling.”
“Answer. Fern will be here soon.”
“Fern,” I grumbled.
“I hate her too,” Luca said, and then the line went dead.
“Rosa. How—”
“When will you be here?” Rosa rushed out, a little out of breath.
I checked the time and frowned. “Around six. I thought that was the plan.”
“Things have changed. I overheard the boys saying that they already have Tootsie. It might be better for you to get over here now.”
Closing my laptop, I mentally ran down all the other things I needed to get done. “Okay. I’ll have to do a little work. Is that all right?” I packed my computer bag, double-checking I didn’t leave anything behind.
“Sure. Sure. I just need you here.”
Rosa had no idea how much her words meant to me. Since the night I killed Cy, Rosa and I had become closer than ever. She was the only person I knew who’d lived this life and survived, so naturally, she was the perfect confidant.
“Of course. I’ll be there soon.”
“Perfect.” And just like her son, she hung up without saying goodbye.
“Frankie!” I yelled, gathering my stuff.
He joined me in the hallway. “You shrieked?”
“We need to go to Rosa’s.” I brushed past him on my way to the front door.
Frankie followed with his hands in his pockets. “What’s up?”
“Oh, you know, girl stuff.” I grinned as I slipped on my jacket.
He gave me a flat stare.
Flipping my hair out of the collar, I sighed. “Fine. Apparently, Tootsie’s already back, and Rosa wants me at the house now.”
Frankie pinched the bridge of his nose. “I think I liked it better when she wanted you dead. The two of you together are dangerous.”