“I know it’s a lot to hear, but I need you to be strong right now for Isla, Paolo, and Pippa.” I set the glass down and rubbed her back. “You’re the only person Isla truly trusts. She’s going to need you, Alba.
“I’ll do anything for Isla and the baby. Paolo too.”
“Good. I need you to pack a suitcase. I’m sending you to Canada with Isla.”
“What?” Alba turned her face up toward mine.
“I can’t let anything bad happen to you. Isla couldn’t take it. I’m having her transported to my estate. I want you to go with her for support.” The idea of sending Alba to Canada with Isla just came to me. Why I hadn’t considered it before now was beyond me.
“I need to see Paolo.” She dried her eyes. I could tell sheunderstood how dire the situation was and would be agreeable.
“That’s fine. I’ll take you to him. Get packed, please.”
She looked around her small home.
“Just the essentials, Alba. Anything else you need; I’ll provide for you there.” I cupped her elbow and gently lifted her, and told her in a firm voice, “Hurry. We don’t have time to waste.”
Back at the hospital, I was beginning to hate being here. The beeping machines. The weird medical smell. I never wanted to be in the intensive care unit ever again.
Alba quietly cried while holding Paolo’s hand. He was still unconscious. No change since coming out of surgery. He was alive and that was all that mattered to me.
Memories of Julietta being in and out of the hospital flooded my mind as I watched Alba. How sad my dear friend was when her hair fell out. Watching her grow weaker and taking her last breath. Cancer fucking sucked.
“Excuse me, sir. Who is that?” a nurse asked.
Alba peered over her shoulder, a worried expression on her face.
“It’s my cousin’s fiancée,” I replied.
“Oh. Okay. Just making sure?—”
“I understand,” I cut her off. “We’re not going to be here long.”
She nodded and left.
Alba smiled at me and mouthedthank you.
She didn’t need to thank me. It was the least I could do. If I’d been more of a tyrant and forced Isla to stay at the hotel or return with me to Canada like I initially wanted, none of this would have happened. I would never make the same mistakes again.
Roman approached. “I heard you were back. How’d she take everything?” He jerked his chin at Alba.
“Better than I expected. Everything set to move Isla?”
“Yes. An ambulance will take her to the airport. Are you sure you’re okay with Jon escorting her? I sensed some tension between you two.”
“It’s fine. Luca will keep him in line.”
“He sure will. Well, whenever you’re ready to say good-bye to her…” Roman eyed me like he knew Isla leaving without me would almost kill me. He wouldn’t be wrong.
“Just give us five more minutes.”
“Okay.” He put his hand on my arm, then left.
Alba looked back at me in agreement. I told her on the way that I needed her to be quick visiting Paolo. Since he wasn’t awake, it probably made it easier.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and read the text from a number I didn’t recognize. This was my private number. Only people I gave it to would be using it.
It’s Storm. Call me.
