Lucia’s lips press into a thin line. “You owe her, Dan. You’re the only one who can protect her when she’s in the UK.” Her words hit harder than I expect, like a slap across the face, wrapped in silk.
I nod, the weight of my sins anchoring in my chest. “I’ll take care of her,” I say. “No one will touch a hair on her head. Not while I’m breathing.”
She gives a tired smile and leans her head back, the oxygen mask slipping slightly. “I believe you.” Her eyes flutter closed for a second, then she turns her head slowly towards me. “I’m sorry…” Her voice cracks.
I’m about to ask what she’s sorry for when the automatic doors whoosh open, followed by quick footsteps on the path.
“Eccoti qui. There you are,” a nurse says cheerily. “We’ve been looking for you, Signora Conti. You’re not supposed to be out hereunattended.”
Lucia waves her hand, the oxygen mask still dangling. “I’m not unattended.”
The nurse frowns at me briefly, taking in my ink and the roughness that never really leaves my face. “Are you family?”
Lucia answers before I can. “Something like that.”
The nurse gives a tight smile and unlocks the brakes on the wheelchair. “Let’s get you back inside.”
Lucia coughs again. Her head turns, eyes locking with mine as the nurse wheels her away.
“Don’t let her go this time, Dan.”
I stay rooted to the bench, watching as they disappear through the trees. That last request echoing like an order.
“Mamma, who were you talking to?” Elio’s voice carries on the breeze.
I can’t hear her response as the hospital doors close. I don’t know what she was about to say sorry for, but it lingers like smoke, burning through my thoughts as I sit alone.
I press my elbows to my knees, burying my face in my hands, breathing Rose’s scent from the breeze and the ghost of what we used to be.
This time, I won’t lose her.
Even if it kills me.
6
ROSE
“Everything all right with your mum?” Lisa asks as we buckle up for takeoff.
“She was in a bad way. The pneumonia really took it out of her with her COPD. When Elio called the other day, he didn’t think she’d last the week, but the doctors said she perked up today knowing I was visiting.”
“I’m glad you could switch flights.”
“Me too. Hopefully I can do the Manchester to Rome route more often.” I lean my head back and close my eyes as we pick up speed on the runway. My stomach flutters as we lift off. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving the feeling of weightlessness as I leave all my troubles on the ground, including D’Angelo Bianchi.
The flutters in my belly turn to knots when I remember seeing him today. How is it possible to love and hate someone at the same time?
My ears muffle to the sounds of the engine as we rise higher. Clouds float by the window in the door and the plane levels out. An overwhelming peace washes over me as we glide above the clouds.
Up here I’m as free as a bird. No Magnus and no D’Angelo. The only worries I have aremy mother and Angelos, but I know he’s safe at his school and right now he’ll be at his football match.
My chest swells with pride, knowing I raised my son all by myself. He doesn’t know the details of my marriage. He thinks we moved and changed our name because his father was in prison and we didn’t want anyone to know we were related to a criminal. There’s no point in telling Angelos we changed our name to make it difficult for Magnus and his family to find us.
Angelos only witnessed my abuse a few times, and he was too young to remember. He idolised Magnus And Magnus knew it.
Any abuse I suffered was always behind closed doors. To everyone else, he was the perfect gentleman.
But I knew him for what he was.
