"I was, but Maddalena left our hiding spot, so I did, too. Better they find me than the babies." He scowls. "I did not plan to get captured. I killed a man in the woods… and Cosima."
"You did what was necessary. You fought fiercely. Don't feel guilt over people who would've hurt our children."
Ugo appears, saying the doctor is on the way. Using his belt, we make a tourniquet of sorts for Nico's leg. Once he moves away to deal with the dead men, Nico's staring at me in a strangely amused manner."Che cosa?"I ask, worried about blood loss.
“Leaving the tent to find your sister… There will never be a day that you don’t drive me crazy, you know.”
“This is what you tell me at a time like this, Nico?”
“You drive me crazy, and I love it. I loveyou.With every fucking beat of my heart. How about that?”
Tears spill down my cheeks when I tell him, "You drive me crazy, too. And I loveyou,Nico.Sempre, amore mio.Always.”
48
Matilde
We have time for one ardent kiss, a fleeting moment, a light in the dark, before there are other matters to deal with. One heated glance, one nod of understanding, and our bound souls resume the roles of the Capo and his wife.
Against everyone's advice, Nico stands when Ugo gives him the casualty report. All the invaders are dead. Their bodies will be buried somewhere deep in the woods to be forgotten. Two Trio men were killed, including the guard who snuck off to visit his girlfriend yesterday.
"I'll pay a call on her once I'm back in Chicago to express my condolences," I comment.
Ugo frowns. "Cosima and her friends wouldn't have found us if he hadn't-"
"He paid for that mistake with his life, so we'll hear no more of it, Ugo. He fought to protect us. He died an honorable man, no?"
"As you say, Mrs. Morelli," my bodyguard agrees, bowing his head in respect.
My husband smirks, his lips brushing my ear. "You'd make an excellent boss someday, wife."
I shake my head, not desiring it, and then shake it again when this stubborn man barely allows the doctor to look him over before insisting he take care of Primo first.
By the time, Nico can limp back to the house, leaning against me, the ATV has returned with Yana, the children and my sister. "Maddalena!" I cry, rushing to them. I kiss both children, my knees nearly buckling with relief when I confirm they're perfectly fine for myself. As if it's any other day, Lucia rubs her little ears, indicating she wants her nap, and Amadeo screeches cheerfully when his father lifts him up for a quick hug.
My sister's hands are bloody and her eyes teary, but she gives me a resolute nod when I inquire after an unconscious Primo. "He's going to be okay."
"He will," I echo, praying we're right.
"You followed me out of the tent. Mat, you shouldn't have risked yourself for me."
"I found my twin after eighteen years apart, Mad. I wasn't losing you again."
***
Hours later, Primo has survived surgery and Nico's wounded leg has been treated. The children, my husband and I are headed back to Chicago in the helicopter while Maddalena has elected to remain with Primo while he recovers on the farm. "Which means Leone will be forced to watch over them before he can get back to his solitary life with his grumpy goats, chickens and sheep," Nico says.
"Yes. Even Yana plans to leave the farm once she enrolls in college."
"Her fluency in Russian and other Baltic languages might come in handy for the Trio, especially as we continue searching for the other abducted girls. Perhaps if I offered to fund her education…"
I nod, approving of his idea. "You should ask her. It's too bad the babies are asleep. The city lights are magical in the distance."
"Not as magical as our woods though," Nico replies. Our fingers intertwine and we share a soft kiss. "One hundred and eight-nine."
"Still counting kisses?"
"I'll never stop. We have some catching up to do."
