Erika blows out a breath. “I have an idea, but I need you to listen first…”
Something in her tone makes me stand. Emma happily eats her chicken and broccoli as I start pacing the living room. “What is it?”
She sighs again. “I have a couple of things I need to get off my chest.”
My heart starts pounding against my ribs. It’s been a day, and I’m not sure how much more capacity I have for crazy. “What is it?”
“My name isn’t really Erika.”
I blink several times. “Erika is your new identity?”
“That’s right.” I hear her draw in a shaky breath. “My brother made sure I got a new name, and a shiny new life. Including this job. Just like I asked him to help you.”
This is all making sense and the tension in my chest unwinds. “I understand. You had to protect yourself.”
“And you,” she says softly.
“I know. I so appreciate how you took us in, helped me get a new name. Move here.”
“I mean, I went to that meeting, the one where we met, already knowing who you were, Gigi.”
I’m so confused, I don’t even know where to begin. The only word that comes out is, “What?”
“My name is Vittoria Andriani.”
I choke, my brain seriously unable to keep up. “But that’s my last name too…”
“I know. Your father and my father were brothers.”
I don’t even realize I’m going down until my butt lands on the floor. “You’re my cousin?”
“My brother…he did some work for Vigo. He saw you. Recognized you. But he wasn’t powerful enough to take on Vigo, so he sent me to help you instead.”
My hand comes to my mouth. I don’t know whether to be angry or grateful. Erika lied to me in order to help me.
And me? I lied to Rush. Lied and lied. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Who is your brother?”
“Matteo Andriani. You met him this morning.”
Met him this morning? I met city inspectors and… “Snake tattoo on his neck?”
“That’s the guy.”
I shake my head. No wonder he was so interested in me. He’s my cousin and the reason I’m here. I look over at Emma.
Matteo Andriani is the reason Emma and I are tucked in this building. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Is our friendship…is it real?”
“Of course it’s real!” she cries into the phone. “You’re my best friend, my cousin, and the closest thing to a sister I will ever have. Please tell me you forgive me.”
I draw in a jagged breath. “Of course I forgive you. I love you.”
She gives a small, almost-choking laugh. “Thank goodness. At this point, I’d die without you.”
Emma finishes eating and jumps down from the table, running past me and over to her dolls. Normally, I’d make her ask first but I can’t today. So l let her start playing with her doll kitchen.
