“Is she sick?” I forced the words out.
Mamma flung the coffee cup at the wall, and it broke into irrevocable pieces. She had a temper, especially when she was frustrated with herself. When she couldn’t understand the feelings talking to her. “I don’t know!”
“She had so much bloodwork,” I said. “When she was in the hospital.”
“This all could have to do with the Nemours. What’s coming.”
“We will increase security,” my father said in Italian. “We won’t let her out of our sight.”
“Yeah,” I said. “But if it’s something else…” I couldn’t stand to even finish the thought. My heart felt like it was cracking in two, while my blood heated, making me sweat. I needed to fucking destroy something, or I’d tear the entire world down.
“Meet me in the gym in five,” my father said, taking the steps two at a time.
Mamma set her hand on my shoulder. “Remember, my son,” she said in Italian. “Your sister was fine. I truly believe Stella will be too. Have faith.”
Finewasn’t good enough for me. I left mamma in the kitchen, staring after me. With each step that I took toward the gym, the uncertainty of the future haunted me to my bones.
Chapter 21
Stella
For a second, I couldn’t remember where I was.
Sleeping in a bed that feels like it’s made of clouds.
A soft comforter and sheets caressing my skin. This kind of material would make me want to sleep naked for the rest of my life.
Fresh, cool air, scented with my flirty perfume and Matteo’s sexual cologne, which makes me feel like I’m high every time I breathe them in together, circulating around a room that’s not scary at all.
Furniture that’s so romantic in an old-world Italian way.
A box fan circling next to the bed, blowing directly on me.
Oh yeah, that’s right.
I’m in heaven.
Except I was missing Matteo. It hadn’t been that long, I didn’t think, since the last time we were together, but a pit had formed in my heart, and a voice at the bottom of it was screaming out for him.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Three light taps on the door had me sitting up, staring at it.
“Stella?” Mia whispered.
“Yea—” I had to clear the sleep from my throat. “I’m here.”
She laughed, but it wasn’t mocking. It was nice. Like she liked me and found me funny in an endearing way. “Do you want to do yoga with me and mamma? We like to set it up by her garden. We think it gives us a nice view of the wildflowers, which Magpie says bloom because of her.” She paused. “So…do you want to?”
I found myself smiling, because I could just see her on the other side of the door, her mouth close to the wood. “Sure,” I said. “Do I need certain clothes for that?”
“Yes! Can I come in and grab them for you?”
“Okay.”
She whirled in, smelling of lavender, and I was immediately at ease. I held the covers over my breasts as she opened the closet door and came out a minute later with a top and pants.
“There you go. Yoga finest.”
