The door flies open and Antonia bursts in, eyes sparkling, words tumbling out.
“Mommy, you won’t believe it! I played with Gabriel, ate birthday cake, and chased Diablo—he’s the naughtiest puppy ever! When is Daddy coming? I want to ask him to get me one!”
I kneel down and pull her tiny body into my arms, pressing a kiss to her hair.
“Soon, baby. Daddy’s going to find us any minute now.”
She leans back slightly, her bright blue eyes scanning my face, then widen in shock.
“Mommy…you’re hurt?”
I force a smile and brush my thumb across her cheek. “I just tripped, baby. It’s nothing.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch another figure standing in the doorway. Emily. Carlo looms right behind her, eyes locked on me like a predator. I stand up carefully, making sure not to provoke him, and turn to Emily.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “She clearly had the best day.”
Emily’s face stays carefully blank. “She’s full of life. Gabriel adored her.”
Antonia bounces on her toes. “Mommy, can we get a little brother? Babies aren’t boring like Adam says, they’re actually really fun!”
Tears prick my eyes. A few nights ago I had a whole future planned. Now I have less than twenty-four hours left.
Emily’s eyes soften at my tears. Carlo doesn’t move a muscle. He stands behind her like a wall of muscle and menace.
I steady myself and, before they leave, turn to Emily. “I’m so sorry. For everything you went through. I had no idea how bad it was.”
She takes a deep breath before responding.
“I’m sorry for you too. It seems we both endured a lot, unwillingly.”
“If I had the power, I’d turn back time and stop myself from dragging you into this.”
Emily shakes her head immediately.
“If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Not a single thing. Coming to Italy, becoming part of this family, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Even if I knew I’d end up black and blue under Giuseppe’s fists again, I’d say yes to the past a thousand times over.”
My eyebrows shoot up in shock. I glance at Carlo, catching the unmistakable pride in his eyes as he looks at Emily. A smile tugs at the corner of his lips, his breathing deepening.
Is this really Carlo? The notorious Wife-Killer? He looks more like someone caught under a powerful spell.
His thick arm slides around Emily’s waist as he pulls the door shut. At the last second I catch his other hand cupping her breast in a blatantly possessive grip.
As the door clicks shut, I turn to Antonia, taking her hand and leading her toward the bed. I sit her down gently, kneeling in front of her.
I unclasp the thin chain from around my neck and hold the tiny golden wings in my palm. The same necklace Tony gave me years ago. Leaning in, I fasten it around Antonia’s neck.
She whispers in my ear, “Mommy, why are you giving me your angel?”
“Because I want it to keep you safe.”
“But… aren’t you going to protect me anymore?”
I stare into her worried green eyes, shimmering with uncertainty. “Of course I will, my love. I just want you to have some extra protection too.”
Lying beside her, I run my fingers through her soft hair, tracing the delicate features of her face. Her skin is impossibly soft under my fingers, and my heart squeezes so tight I can hardly breathe.
Tonight is my last night with her. I can’t stop looking at her, drinking in every detail. If God shows me even a sliver of mercy, her beautiful face will be the last thing I see before I die.
