“She is.”
“D-did you know?”
He tenses under my touch, then removes my hand from his chest, placing it on my stomach, but doesn’t let go.
I don’t know why I asked because there’s no way he knew, but the words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them, and now I feel terrible for making him think I doubt him.
“I would never keep your mother being alive away from you, Liana. I promise you, I found out right before you did, and when I went to search for you to tell you, I couldn’t find you until …”
“Until I had already found out.”
There’s a hollowness inside of me. I feel … dead. Unsure how to react anymore.
“The shock and panic attack have exhausted you,” Massi says.
“I just …” Tears well in my eyes again. “I don’t understand what’s going on, Massi.” I feel so defeated. Physically. Emotionally. I don’t understand how the woman who I thought has been dead all these years has just been living here in Sicily, and apparently with another man.
What is going on?
“How could she leave me and never come back? What about my dad?” My voice gets louder and more frantic with each question I know Massi can’t answer.
“Where is he? Is he still alive? Did the plane crash even happen?” Before I realize it, my hand is gripping Massi’s with more strength than I ever knew I had. “I just don’t understand, Massi. Ineedto understand.”
He wipes the tears falling from my eyes. “I know, baby, and we will get you these answers. I promise you that.”
“I need themnow,” I cry out, unable to hold back how distraught I am. “It hurts. It really hurts.” I bring his hand up to the ache in my chest. “Really fucking hurts.”
Brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, he bends down and holds me as I cry. I release everything I have, not understanding what’s going on. How can this be happening? My mom is alive,which means my dad probably is too. I need to figure out what’s going on.
My mind is running a million miles a minute, but right now, all I can do is let my emotions take over, and they’re shutting my brain down, forcing me to let go. I’ve never been more thankful to have Massi here to keep me from falling. To hold me up when I need him the most.
46
MASSIMO
When we got back to the villa last night, I carried Liana right to bed. I undressed her, put her into one of my T-shirts, and held her all night while she cried. There were a few times she got some sleep, which I’m thankful for, but even when she’d get those rare twenty minutes, she’d wake up crying out “Mom” before breaking down into tears, then falling asleep to start the cycle all over again.
I didn’t sleep at all. I couldn’t. Not when the woman I love is going through one of the most traumatic things she’s ever endured in life.
It’s been about twenty-five minutes since she last woke up—the longest stint she’s had—so I know her body will force her to wake soon, no matter how much it needs the rest.
Taking my phone off the nightstand, I text Gui.
Me: Have you found anything out about her dad?
Gui’s been up all night too. After ditching the car we jacked last night, I told him to get with Cassius and figure out as muchas we possibly can about Ignazio and the plane crash Liana’s parents were supposedly in.
Gui: Are you free? This would be much easier to go over in person.
I glance down at Liana’s seemingly lifeless body. I don’t want to leave her, but finding out what Gui discovered is important. I need to figure this out for my wife.
Me: Meet me in the kitchen.
Gui: Already ahead of you.
I maneuver myself out of the bed without waking Liana. I fucking pray she doesn’t wake while I’m gone.
Sliding on some sweatpants, I head to the kitchen and am surprised when Gui’s not the only one there.
