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Sal says, “You couldn’t afford the bill on the private room like this. It was easier to put the invalids together.”

He laughs and another laugh joins in and I look further over to the bed. Sal’s fingers stroke the back of my hand in comfort and affection. Lou seems to just be waking up as well, but Gia is wrapped around him. Her face is all mottled but covered somewhat in makeup. Her hair done and her affection evident. He kisses the top of her head and looks at Sal.

He flicks his gaze in response. “You’ve always had my blessing. You just didn’t have the balls.”

Lou cracks a smile and kisses the top of Gia’s head again. “You ok, Bella?”

“I am, now, Ludovico.” Gia pulls herself tighter to his body and he groans a little but she tsks at him. “Get over it, big guy.”

“You’re free, Gia. Take the money and go. He won’t come after you anymore now that my blood is back in play. You’re safe. But don’t fucking flaunt it. Stay down, go to ground for a while. Go to fucking Tahiti or something.”

She shudders and Sal says to Lou, “Or you either. Go. Disa-fucking-pear. We got no more business. Well, none that I need your help with.” Sal leans down and brushes his lips over mine and my tongue automatically flips out to lick his lower lip. He gives me a warning shot look.

“Don’t wake the beast. There’s something I have to tell you.” I try to sit up and he raises the bed with a remote. My arm is in a sling but it’s not sore.

“What’s wrong with me? Is Becca, ok?”

“Becca and Brick left. I’ll get to that.” He puts his hands on my swollen cheek. “Nothing that won’t heal. You lost a lot of blood. More than Gia. And the bruising is worse because of it. But other than being sore as shit and weak, you’re ok. Thank the saints.”

Gia lifts her arm off Lou’s chest, and I see a cast. I don’t remember her arm being broken.

Sal answers for her, “Enzo broke a few bones in his attempts to tame the tiger that is my sister.”

I rasp out, “She’s the real queen. Comare. Thank you.” We lock eyes, my sister and me.

“Sorella,” she says back to me. My sister.

Sal sits back and I see his wheels turning. “That’s not a bad idea. I got a few keys left that I can’t let dangle out in the world. You two want them?”

Lou looks concerned. “Keys to what?”

“The Kingdom.” Gia’s breath catches and Lou squeezes her the best he can.

Gia sits up and puts her hand out. “Well, gimme them.” Lou pulls her back down and nods to Sal. I squeeze his hand.

We exchange a look and then turn our gaze to the new king and queen of the LA underworld.

“As soon as I get your safe back, you’ll be all set.” Sal winks at her.

Gia sits up, puts her shoulders back and tits out, and I see her start to become all the things she was told not to be. It’s a fun place to be. I’m glad she’s joining me.

I’ve been in and out of sleep for days. There’s been trips to the bathroom and healing. But mostly, I sleep. I must have drifted off again but this time when I wake, I’m alone in the room with Sal. He’s in a suit and I don’t like anything about this. His coal-colored hair is Salvatore Pietro slicked back and there’s not a hint of stubble. In place of the copper scent that’s dominated our lives for the last week, there’s a rush of him that hits my nose. Cedar, bergamot, and sex. He rushes to my bed when he sees me awake and the panic in my eyes.

“How long?” A question I used to ask him when I’d wake up with him and he was dressed like this. It always meant he was leaving me, and I’d be alone again, worried about not only him but everything and everyone. How long will I be alone?

He answers my question in a different way. “You’ve been asleep for almost seventeen hours this time, but you look much better. This is the best you’ve looked and the doctor said other than sleep and some random healing. You’re fine. Color back in those pale ass cheeks of yours, Gingersnap.”

“Don’t you Gingersnap me. What the fuck is going on? How long have you known you have to leave me? Or how long will you be gone?”

“Someone woke up salty.”

I groan as I sit up. I’m stiff and I stretch but everything feels ok, considering. And other than being hungry and thirsty, I feel good. I feel really good. I swing my legs over the side of the bed, standing to face him. I’m pissed off because something’s happening that I don’t know about.

I demand. “Tell me now.” I see a sweater and black pants folded on a chair. “I’m not putting that on if that means you think for one second you can waltz out of here on mafia business again leaving me in the dark. Look, Mister Scary face, we don’t do that anymore. You have successors. You can’t go back.”

He sits on the edge of my bed, pulling me down with him. He’s unbuttoning the button on his tight custom navy blazer and it’s so fucking hot. His lighter blue shirt is tight across his cut and beautiful chest. There are small cuts around his face and some bruising around his knuckles.

My voice is quiet as he takes my hand. “What’s wrong?” I breathe in and out twice and his eyes are soft. He places a hand on my cheek.