“No, you can’t. Love makes you weak. It makes you blind. Look at what’s happening right now. Anybody can be watching.”
“Give me some credit.” Marco is affronted. “I know how to sneak around. My father taught me well.”
“What is he going to do when he finds out about the two of you?”
“Nothing. He stole my chance with Stefania once. I won’t let him do it again. I was too young, then, but things are different now.”
“What are you going to do, kill him?”
“If he objects. That’s exactly what I’ll do.”
I scoff. “You think he isn’t? We are direct competition to him. He already killed her parents. What the fuck do you think he will do to her?”
“Nothing. I have a plan. We just have to buy some time.” Marco tries to persuade me.
“How much time? How many of Raffi’s men am I going to have to kill to keep your secret?”
“As many as it takes,” Marco growls.
“I don’t work for you.” I snarl back.
“No, you work for her.”
“I workwithher,” I correct him.
“All right, enough. Both of you.” Stefania hammers down on our arguing. It is taking every ounce of self-control I have not to implode.
“Dove, I understand where you are coming from. And I appreciate you protecting us tonight.” Her tone is soft, but her expression is torn. “Marco, I think we need to listen to her.”
“Mi amor,” Marco protests straightaway.
Stefania puts her hand up to stop him. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but we need to be smart. And safe,” she appeals to him, sliding her palms up his bare chest. “No puedo soportar perderte dos veces.”
I cannot bear to lose you twice.
“You won’t.” He grips her wrists and stares into her eyes. The exchange is so intimate, I feel uncomfortable witnessing it.
“Dove is right. We need to lay low for a while. Just until the smoke clears.”
It’s not exactly what I was going for, but at least it’s a start.
Marco looks none too pleased with her decision, but we all know it’s the right one.
“If I were you, I’d go now. While it’s still dark.”
They both turn their heads and glare at me.
“I’ll leave when I’m ready.” Marco makes his thoughts clear.
I sigh, resigned. “Fine. I’m going, then. Say your goodbyes.”
“It’s only so long,” Marco corrects me. “Not goodbye.”
I clench my jaw, refraining from telling him where he can stick his so long. I give Stefania one last, deafening look.
Then, I leave.
Outside, I strap my helmet on and climb onto my bike. I need to clear my head. And a nice long ride through the desert will definitely do that.
