Silence descends as we’re both locked in our thoughts, until Cristian breaks it a few minutes later. “How about we grab a bottle of wine and move into the living room?”
“You haven’t eaten much.” I glance at his half-eaten plate, the food cold by now.
“Elisa made a big lunch, and honestly, my stomach is in knots. I can’t eat another thing.”
“How is everyone?” I ask. “John Angelo told me Clint survived but had to retire early from his injuries. Before I leave, I’d like to see him to apologize.”
Cristian scowls, opening and closing his mouth. “You have nothing to apologize for. You didn’t shoot him. The cartel did, and we made them pay. Everyone is doing great.” A big smile lights up his face. “Elisa and Caleb had a little girl four years ago, and they have a new baby son. Gia and Joshua welcomed another daughter five months ago. You should know Elisa immediately defended you. She didn’t for one second ever blame you. She cried a lot of tears, and everyone’s been extremely worried about you.”
“Elisa is a sweetheart through and through.” I stand, reaching for the plates when Cristian wraps his fingers around my wrist.
“Leave those. I’ll clean up later. Go into the living room, and I’ll bring the wine.”
The doorbell chimes just as I’ve sat on the familiar couch, and then Natalia is there, hugging me repeatedly and marveling at how well I look, before whisking me into the bedroom to check my injuries.
“You’re right. Nothing is broken. You’re lucky,” she says, gesturing for me to get dressed.
“The car had almost stopped when I hit it, so I kinda rolled over the hood,” I say, pulling my tank and blouse back on. “All the bruising is from hitting the ground at an odd angle.”
“Does this give you much pain?” she asks, gently probing the jagged skin on my calf.
“On and off. I don’t think it healed right.”
“I’d like to have strong words with whoever did your sutures.” She frowns as she prods more firmly around the messy scar.
“John Angelo did it, but he saved me from bleeding out. A little pain and an ugly scar don’t bother me when it could’ve been much worse.”
“I think there are bullet fragments still under the skin. It’s why you get intermittent pain. We should schedule surgery to remove them. We have a great cosmetic surgeon at the hospital, and I’m sure he could do something to make the scar less obvious.”
“I’m not sure what my plans are, but I’ll consider it,” I say, pulling my jeans up my legs.
“I’m going to suggest something. Cristian asked me to ask you, but it’s entirely your choice.” She holds up a small, thin silver chip. “This is a high-tech tracking device. A lot ofCosa Nostrahave these, families included.” She lifts her hair up. “Prod the back of my neck, see if you can feel it.”
I do as she asks, and when I press in firmly, I can feel it, but you wouldn’t know by looking at her neck.
“How does it work?” I ask as she lowers her hair.
“Once inserted, it can be tracked either locally by a loved one or centrally via our IT team. It’s added security. If you’d had one of these five years ago, you wouldn’t have been lost to us for so long.”
“Cristian wants me to have this?”
She nods. “For your protection, but it’s your choice, which is why he left it to me to ask you. He doesn’t want you to feel pressured.”
“If it’s for my protection, I don’t see the harm. You can put it in.”
Numbing the area first, she then makes a small incision and pushes the chip in before applying a few butterfly bandages.
“Keep it dry, and I’d like to check it in a week.”
“Thanks, Natalia.”
“You’re welcome.” She packs up her bag. “We’re all having dinner at my house tomorrow, and I’d love you to come. I’m sure everyone would love to see you.”
“Thanks for the invite, but I’m not sure yet what my plans are. I’ll talk with Cristian and let you know.”
She draws me into a bear hug. “I’m so happy you’re safe. It took strength and smarts to survive.”
“My mother died so I could live, and I never forget it. I have fought with everything I have to make sure her sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”
