“There, there. Don’t cry. You’re a Conti. Us women are strong.” Her mother’s laugh turns into a cough.
I close my eyes, wishing I could hold Rose. I know what it’s like to lose a mother. My jaw tightens remembering the frightened twelve-year-old boy staying strong for his little brother the night they came. I cannot forget who it was that ruined my life. No matter how much I fell for Rosetta, she’s still a Conti and our families have been at odds for decades.
Our relationship was doomed from the start. It was a means to an end to gather the information I needed. I never expected to fall for the innocent, chubby girl who stole my heart before she broke it in two.
Rose sniffles. “I need to get you back inside.”
“Leave me here. I’m enjoying the sun on my face and the fresh air.”
“I’m not sure I’m allowed to do that, Mamma.”
She coughs again. “Just tell the nurse and they’ll send someone out to get me.”
“All right. I love you.”
“La mia bella rosa. You’ve been the light of my life. You know I’m proud of you, don’t you?”
“You’re going to make me cry again.”
“I need to tell you something, but it can wait. You don’t want to miss your flight.”
“Are you gonna be all right? You have your phone?”
“Yes. Go. Don’t worry about me.”
I steal a glance from behind the tree as Rose leaves her mother, heading back into the hospital. I don’t bother following. My return flight isn’t until next week. I have business to do here. Plus, Riccardo would kill me if I missed his sister’s wedding.
My shoulders relax a little as Rose disappears through the rotating doors. I should get back to my cousin. He’s probably wondering why I ditched him like that and sent him home with nothing but my holdall.
I turn around to head back through the hospital to the main exit but freeze as Lucia Conti clears her throat.
“You can come out of hiding. I know you’re there.” She coughs again, holding a tissue over her mouth.
I step closer, checking my surroundings. “How long have you known I was here?”
“I might be weak, but up here I’m still as sharp as the rest of them.” She taps the side of her temple as she squints up at me. “Have you come to finish me off?”
I can’t help the huff of laughter that escapes. And I let the old dear get a good look at my face as I take a seat on the bench next to her. “I’m here with Rose. I’m Dan—” I stop myself from saying my full name, after what I did to Rose’s family.
She pushes her glasses up her nose and takes a good look at me. “D’Angelo? The angel of death?”
“I see my reputation precedes me.”
Her lips relax into a warm smile. “I always wondered if you’d find each other again.” She brings her hand to my face and pats my cheek. “You look just like him.”
“That’s what everyone says.” I stroke the bristles on myjaw, wondering who the fuck she’s talking about. But I try my best to play along. It seems she knows more than I thought.
“I’ll sleep easier tonight, knowing she has someone looking out for her and my grandson. She took a big risk coming here today.”
I nod along. Even though it’s easier to hate Rose, there’s no denying I’m obsessed with her. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t. “Who does she need protection from?”
“Magnus, her husband. He visited a while ago asking for her. But Rose has been careful. Not even me or Elio know where she lives. I just hope he’s back in London and stays there.”
“Does she know?” I gulp down the cactus in my throat. I should have kept tabs on him. My fist clenches when I think about all the times he got to touch her.
“She knows he was released a few months back. Out on good behaviour, apparently.”
“The irony.” I check my watch. Damn it. I need to check her schedule and have someone monitor her back home in the UK. Losing a mother at twelve ruined my childhood. No kid should have to go through that.
