But then I didn’t see her at all –
Because my vision darkened around the edges, and suddenly I was back on the Isle of San Michele.
Lorenzo was lying on the ground on his back, his blood staining the gravel beneath him.
Over to my side, Rocco moved to help him –
“NO!” Lars shouted as he held Rocco back. “That’s just what the sniper wants. You go out there and you’re DEAD.”
I stood there helplessly and stared as Lorenzo bled out on the ground –
His face as white as Emilia’s.
“Lorenzo was trying to save a woman from being kidnapped,” I said hoarsely.
“He worked for criminals,” Papa snarled, “and he died like a dog in the gutter.”
Coming here was a mistake.
I’d known it… but I’d been so in love, I thought everyone would be happy for me.
No.
Wrong.
I bolted up from my seat, my palms sweaty and my hands trembling. I couldn’t get Lorenzo’s face out of my head. “I’m leaving.”
“You know I’m right!” Papa yelled at me. “You live by the sword, you die by the sword!”
“Emilia, let’s go,” I said.
She stood up as though in a trance, her expression blank.
Everyone else at the table stayed frozen in their seats.
“You can’t outrun this!” Papa shouted at me as I took Emilia’s hand and led her away from the table. “If you work for evil men, you willdiewith evil men!”
I didn’t look back. I just pulled Emilia along behind me.
My father was still shouting as we rounded the house and got to the car.
“Giorgio,” Emilia whispered, pleading with me.
“Just get in,” I said.
She at least did methatfavor.
As I was circling the car to the driver’s side, I heard Giancarlo yelling my name behind me.
“Giorgio!”
I turned to see him running towards me, a tortured look on his face.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s my fault.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said numbly. “I should have fuckin’ known better than to come back.”
“He’s just scared,” Giancarlo pleaded. “He’s worried about you.”
