AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I catch the startled look in Mamma’s expression. “Next time?” she squeals. “How can you even think about a ‘next time’?”
My brother has held back up to now, letting our parents get in first. But he approaches my bed and kisses my cheeks. “I’ve got news for you, Alessio. The Government has been concerned for months about the effects of organized crime on tourism in the Veneto. I requested a secondment a while ago so I can organize an anti-mafia operation with you against the Syndicate.” He meets my eye. “This latest development has made the matter even more urgent. I’ve just been given the go-ahead. I’ll liaise with Deputy Superintendent Koffler until you are fully recovered. Then, I’ll work with you, brother, to eradicate this evil from Venice and the surrounding area.”
A slow smile spreads across my face as the tension in my body evaporates. My head falls back on the pillow.
I’ll bring Framassi down, and Sefi will be safe.
I turn my head and thank Luigi. “It’s a relief to finally have Rome’s support,” I tell him. “I’ll do everything in my power to get well as fast as possible.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful,” Mamma begs.
“I will. Please don’t worry…”
Easier said than done, I know.
Mamma shakes her head and gives me a searching look. “Who was that beautiful young woman holding your hand with Marco?”
I exhale a long, slow, breath, and then I tell her.Chapter Thirty-SixSefiCamila and I are walking from the hotel toward the main square of Treviso. Our security detail follows close behind as we pass one of the many canals crisscrossing this gorgeous city… which isn’t known as ‘little Venice’ for nothing. The past two weeks, when I’ve not been at the hospital visiting Alessio, sis and I have explored the historic center, and have loved strolling below the ancient walls to admire the beautiful centuries-old architecture. Today is Camila’s last day here… she’s returning to LA tonight. I’ll miss her, but I’ve dug in my heels and have refused to go back home with her.
I touch the phone in my pocket, a new Samsung Marco gifted me to replace the one that was stolen… we think by Giorgio, although he hasn’t admitted to it. Sis and I take a couple of selfies, then she squeezes my arm. “I wish you’d change your mind, hon. That fucker Framassi still wants you. I can sense his spies watching us wherever we go.” She glances at our bodyguards. “If we didn’t have those bulls with us twenty-four-seven, you’d have been taken again before now.”
My flesh crawls. She’s right, and I know it.
I puff out a breath. Camila is well aware that, when Alessio gets out of the hospital tomorrow, we’re moving to a safe house in the middle of the countryside with armed protection while he recuperates. “Marco’s dad is still sick and although they’ve found a live-in nurse, Marco’s mom likes him to visit and give moral support,” I remind her. “He also has to go back to work, so I’m needed to help take care of Alessio…”
Camila folds her arms across her chest. “What about your work? You shouldn’t have to put your career on hold…”
Of course, I haven’t gone back to the Guberman. Marco went to see the director and explained what had happened to me, asking that it be kept out of the press. The other interns have been given the excuse that I caught glandular fever so bad I had to quit. The director said he’d be happy to provide me with an excellent reference when I apply for a job in the future. Camila knows all this, knows that I intend returning to the States as soon as Alessio has recovered. My life is there, even if my heart will forever be in Italy. But she’s acting like I’ve decided to stay here for good.
“It’s only for a month,” I sigh. “I’ll be back in LA before you know it.”
She creases her brow. “Shame you never got to see everything there is to see in Venice.”
“Oh, but I did.” My chest fills with warmth as I remember the weeks before I was kidnapped. “Marco and Alessio took me out every evening. I saw more with them than I’d ever have managed on my own.”
“Seems nothing I say will change your mind,” she shrugs. “Let’s go get one of those delicious gelati before we go back to the hotel.”
There’s a gelateria in the Piazza della Signoria, the main square, we’ve gotten into the habit of visiting when out for a walk. We head there and pour over the flavors before deciding to order our favorites… strawberry cheesecake for her and stracciatella for me. I lick the delicious creamy chocolate chip taste from the side of my cone. A sudden cold feeling goes up my spine, and it’s not from the ice cream.
