I closed the book and sat up, leaning against her headboard. “What?”
“You’re either here or you’re there. I know you think you can be in both places at once, but you can’t.”
“It doesn’t matter where I am, Raya. I’m always here for you.”
“But you visit. You’re not living this.”
“You’re right. I’m not. I’m sorry. I know I should be doing more.”
“It’s not that,” she sniffed, wiping her nose. “I’m not asking you to do more. I just feel like I’m losing everyone, Sani,” she whispered, closing her eyes and burying her face in the pillow. “I’m trying to hold on, but it hurts. One day, she won’t even remember us.”
“I know. But she’ll still love us, even then. And you’ll never lose me. You know that, don’t you?”
“You can’t promise that.”
I lifted my wrist, gesturing toPapi’s broken watch. We’d made a promise on it the day we were nearly killed by the Americans fifteen years ago. She was so scared after she watched me beat a man to death with a headstone, not because of my violence, but because she thought she was going to lose me. That we’d lose each other. I made her place her hand on the watch and swear onPapithat we would always be there for each other. She smiled and covered the clock face with her hand, as we always used to.
“I swear it.”
“Will you stay for a few days? Will Rome fall without its ruler?”
I smiled down at her. It was clear this was where I was needed most right now, even though I hated the idea of being away from Aria for a few days. “Let me speak to Max and see if he’ll stay there. I’m sure it will survive a few days without me.”
I left her room and dialled his number. He answered on the second ring.
“Max, I need you to stay in Rome for a few more days. I’m needed here.”
“I thought as much. That’s why I sent for Cami the moment you left.”
“Can’t you go three days without your wife?”
“Can you?” he bantered back. I groaned because I wasn’t entirely sure I could. He snorted. “Don’t you dare tell me to stalk the girl. Not happening.”
“I don’t want you to stalk her,” I growled, hating the thought of any other man following her every move. “But just… keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s safe. But don’t let her see you.”
“That’s the definition of stalking. Last I checked, the only threat she had was from you.”
“Fuck off.”
“I’m an old, married, long-haired, tattooed biker, Sani. It’s one thing for you to be following her around, but me? She’ll freak the fuck out.”
“Then be discreet. Just send me a picture of her face once a day so I know she’s fine. That’s all I’m asking for.”
He laughed, and I heard Camilla asking what was so funny in the background. The needy prick already had his wife with him in my apartment. “Sani is so gone for this girl. I think the real reason he wants me to take pictures is so he can make a scrapbook of her.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I joked. “Will you do it or not?”
“Fine. You have my wife to thank because she thinks your psychotic obsession is sweet.”
“Grazie, Cami!” I hung up, smirking.Finally, someone who gets me.
Change of Plan
“Okay,” Soraya said quietly, digging her nails into her knees. “Let’s hire help.”
Gio leaned over her and kissed the top of her head in a proud, affectionate moment. “We all loveMamma. And right now, that means putting her safety before what makes us feel like good children. I know it’s hard, but it’s the right thing to do.”
I nodded at Raya as she peered up at me. The last three days had been challenging for us all. I’d taken on a lot of the responsibility for caring forMammato allow Soraya to see how much she’d been doing and realise she needed a break. We had many family debates, some ending in arguments, but finally, I think that we’ve got there. We decided that Elle and I would take turns coming back every other weekend. Raya would care forMammain the mornings, Olivia in the afternoons, and we’d hire nurses for the evenings and nights.
