“Come up to Caterina’s office,” he says.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because,” Roberto says, and I can hear the clipped patience he’s forcing into his voice. “Now.”
My jaw tightens. My first instinct is to say no. To stay here where the ghosts at least comfort me. Where the emptiness matches what’s in my chest.
But Roberto wouldn’t call for no reason, and definitely not twice.
“Fine,” I say. The word comes out rough. “I’m on my way.”
“Don’t take your time,” he adds, and then the line goes dead.
I stare at the phone for a second like it’s personally offended me.
Then I shove it into my pocket and stand, the movement too sharp, like I’m trying to shake her out of my skin.
It doesn’t work.
Nothing does.
I pick up my jacket, sling it over my arm, and walk out of the room.
I take the elevator to Caterina’s floor and walk, unbothered, through security.
Caterina’s office door is shut.
I knock once and go in without waiting, because if I hesitate, I’ll turn around and I’ll end up right back in that suite staring at the ceiling.
Caterina is behind her desk, tablet in hand, posture perfect. Roberto is standing by the window with his arms folded, jacket on, perfectly pressed.
They both look at me at the same time.
Caterina’s brows lift. “Tio,” she says, and there’s zero softness in it, just blunt truth. “You look like hell.”
“Grazie, Caterina,” I say, not even working up the energy for sarcasm.
I step farther into the room and stop in front of her desk, hands loose at my sides like I’m not clenching them into fists. “What do you want?”
Roberto’s gaze doesn’t move off my face. “Sit.”
I drag a hand down my face and drop into the chair opposite her desk, spreading my knees, elbows on the armrests, posture saying relaxed even though my body feels tight.
“Talk,” I say.
Roberto pushes off the window and comes closer, stopping behind Caterina’s chair.
He nods at Caterina, and she presses a button on what I recognizeas her security remote.
Across the room, a TV comes to life with grainy security footage.
It’s an empty hallway in the hotel.
“What is this…” I trail off as two people come into view.
Me. And Elsa.
The very first night.
