“What in the hell are you blathering about, old man?”I asked.
“You.You’re going to go to Italy or wherever your sister is and stop moping around here.I never figured you as someone who gives up.I thought you were a fighter.”
I digested that advice.“I didn’t give up.”
“Bullshit.”He pointed at the bar sign.“I’ll call you on that if you try to argue with me.”
I was drunk enough already.“What if he doesn’t want me?”
“You won’t know until you go.”
That’s what scared me.I’d much rather remain in this limbic state of denial than find out the truth.
“Maybe he thinks you don’t want him.”
Bridget wasn’t helping.
She ignored my glare.“He did ask me to make sure you got to the hospital.He cares.I know he does.”
They needed a reality check, fast.“Both of you need to stop comparing notes.It’s not healthy.”
“I figure if he wanted me dead, I’d be dead.Same with Casey.”She shot a thumb at him.
“Hey now, I cultivate a good cover story, don’t go dragging me into your demise.”
Bridget studied the table.“What’s Sardinia like?”
I resented both of them.I resented Kat, who was currently in Macau or somewhere obscenely exotic and rubbing elbows with the most subtly notorious circles of power.I resented my sister who had just celebrated her second month of pregnancy drama and issue-free.
And, I missed her terribly.
I turned to Bridget.“Do you have a bathing suit?The water is crystal clear.You can see a hundred feet down.”
“Really?”
Don Manca was going to kill me.I couldn’t bring a former federal agent to his doorstep, could I?
I wasn’t a quitter.I wasn’t a fighter, either.I was a complication.It was time I acted like one.I filled Bridget’s glass, then mine.“Two days or as soon as I can book the flights.We’re going in.”
“Hear, hear!Let’s storm the castle.”She clinked glasses with Casey.
What a funny way to put it.
Loppa met us at the airport.I couldn’t exactly keep the trip a secret.Firenze shadowed us from the bar that night.At least he knew how to keep a professional distance.
“Signora Perkins, Ellie.I hope your trip was smooth?”
I glared at Firenze behind us, then addressed Loppa.“Don’t tell me that I really needed a bodyguard.Because I’ll kick your shin if you do.”
He smiled.“It’s good to have you home.”
“I’m not home.”
He sent me a little shake of the head as if correcting me.Then addressed Bridget.“And you, Miss Perkins, where do you call home?”
She glanced around.“I don’t know.What’s the hunting like around here?”
His grin widened.“I’m certain we can find entertainment for you.This way.”
