He looks absolutely murderous as he rushes toward me.
Just as an awful fear mixes with the unbearable heartache, his body slams into mine and his arms lock around me to his solid chest.
The instant I realize the look on his face is worry and he came running when I told him I needed him, a broken sob rips from my throat and I begin to cry fitfully.
My fingers clutch at his jacket while I press my face into the warm space beneath his chin.
I can’t breathe right, the sobs choking me.
My whole body shakes, cry after cry tearing through me until it feels like my ribs are being crushed.
“Laurie,” Adriano growls. “Who am I killing?”
I cling tighter to him as another wave of unbearable pain hits, desperate to get as close as possible to him.
“Shh…” He murmurs lovingly, one hand gripping the back of my head while the other stays so tightly wrapped around my waist it almost hurts. “I’ve got you,amore mio.”
I’m barely aware of him sitting down on the bed and positioning me on his lap, before cradling me as if I’m the most precious thing he’s ever gotten to hold.
All I can focus on is the heartache and the way he keeps me together while I break.
“It’s okay,mia piccola farfalla.Let it all out.”
I try to talk, but another sob shudders through me, so I just cling to him while he comforts me through the worst pain I’ve ever felt.
Slowly, the sharp sting of shock and heartache morphs into a dull deep ache that makes my chest feel heavy and dark.
Adriano leans a little back, tilting his head so he can see my face while cupping my cheek. “Better?”
When I meet his eyes and see how worried he is, it sinks in that after I called him, he rushed home because I needed him.
He came.
He held me.
He’s worried about me.
Adriano really cares.
His thumb gently brushes the tears from my cheek. “What happened,mia piccola farfalla?”
The grief swells in my chest, choking my voice as I say, “Elise died.” My face crumbles again. “She was my best friend. She was going to come visit in December.” The intense shock hits again, and unable to talk further, I notice my phone lying beside Adriano. Picking it up, I unlock the screen and open the message Elise’s mother sent me on social media.
“An aneurysm,” Adriano reads. “I’m sorry,amore mio.” He takes my phone and sets it down again before pulling me back into a hug. “I can only imagine how much this must hurt, but at least it sounds like it happened quickly.”
It doesn’t offer me much comfort, if any. When I spoke to her on Tuesday night, there were no signs. She sounded fine.
If I had known that would be our last conversation, I would’ve told her how much I love her.
“Elise was the only person who really cared about me,” I sniffle while fighting not to break out in tears again.
“No, not the only person.” He tenderly cups my cheek and looks deep into my eyes. “I meant it when I said you’re my everything. I will move heaven and earth for you, so tell me what you need right now, so I can give it to you.”
“Just you,” I whisper hoarsely, my gaze darting over his face as I realize this man who made me a deal of a lifetime, forced me to marry him, and moved me into his house is all I have now.
He presses a kiss to my forehead and another to my mouth. “Would you like to attend Elise’s funeral?”
“I can’t. She lives in Belgium…lived.” A sob sputters from me as grief rolls through me.
