“It’s Alessio. He’s in the hospital.”
I instantly calmed. “What happened?”
“Roman said a massive heart attack. He’s in surgery right now. We need to leave.”
I nodded in agreement. “I need to say good-bye to Isla, then I’ll meet you outside.”
“Okay. I’ll make the call for the jet.” Paolo left in a hurry.
I inhaled a deep breath to steel myself before I returned to the table. Isla was back on her stool and sipping her drink. Tonight wasn’t supposed to end with me rushing back to Canada, but I needed to get to my father’s bedside immediately.
“What just happened was a mistake. I hope you know that,” she said with annoyance in her voice.
“I need to leave,” I told her rather than telling her she was wrong about the kiss being a mistake. I caressed her cheek and drank her in for a long second.
“Oh.”
“It’s Padre. He’s in the hospital and I’m needed.”
“Of course. Is he okay?” She covered my hand with hers, holding it there.
“He had a massive heart attack.”
“I’m so sorry.” She teared up. “Give him my love.”
“Why don’t you come with me?” I would absolutely love for her to return with me, but I knew she wouldn’t.
“I can’t.” She let go of my hand and collected her things. “Have a safe trip.” She reached into her purse and I stopped her.
“I’ve got it.” I removed a couple of twenties and left them on the table. “Can I walk you out?”
“Sure.” She smiled and led the way.
“I want to see you again.” I followed her to the driver’s side of her beater car.
“It’s probably best if you didn’t.” She lowered her gaze, like she was trying to hide something. “Have a good life, Ciro.”
“Isla, I don’t want this to be the last time I see you.” I couldn’t believe this was happening again for the second fucking time. “Didn’t you feel the sparks between us? We still have the magic, baby.”
“It’s too late.” She squared her shoulders and opened her door. “Please don’t come back.” And with that, she got into her car and started the engine. Miraculously it started right up and she drove off.
If my father wasn’t in the hospital, I would have followed her home and done everything necessary to convince her to give me a second chance.
Perhaps everything happened the way it was supposed to. Maybe she was right about it being too late. Either way, I couldn’t deal with her right now. I needed to get home to Canada.
But like it or not, My-la. I will be back.
Twenty hours had passedsince I left Isla at the Irish pub. My lips still tingled after that breath-stealing kiss in the bathroom. As busy as I’d been since returning to Canada, she wasn’t far from my thoughts. But then she’d never been far from them.
I watched over Padre as he slept. He’d come through the surgery with flying colors. His doctor expected him to live for many, many more years.
The second I had a private moment to myself, after seeing him unconscious and hooked up to monitors, I wept. The relief I felt knowing he would be okay was monumental. Sixty-four was too young to die. He should have a good thirty plus years to enjoy.
But then my mother hadn’t made it to thirty when her life was taken from her. I tried not to think about that day in the country. I was convinced my memories of what had gone down were wrong. I’d been a scared, confused five-year-old. Padre had told me it was a random event, but I could swear Mamma knew the woman.
I recalled the mansion being chaotic after Mamma’s funeral. One of the maids never returned. I’d overheard Padre telling Aaron that she had betrayed him in the worst possible way and to make her disappear.
Padre stirred in his hospital, and I shutdown the musing from the most painful time in my life.
