“Where a-are you fr-from?” she asks after I finish wiping her face and chin.
“I was born in Naples. I lived in Greenland. Now I live with my wife in Naples.”
“You h-h-have a w-wife?”
My voice thickens as I answer. “Yes. I have a very beautiful wife. She’s a world-famous pianist. Now she’s rebuilding a city.”
She stares at my face, saying nothing. Then slowly, her focus drifts away, I’m right in front of her, but she’s not seeing me.
I caress her cheek with my thumb, cradling her face in my palm. “She has the kindest heart, the brightest soul. She’s never hurt anyone. But the world hasn’t been kind to her.” I kiss her forehead. “It’s unfair, baby. But don’t you worry, I’m here to make it right.”
She doesn’t hear a word I said. Her eyes blink in long, slow intervals, staring at nothing.
I watch her remain like that for hours. She doesn’t respond to anything, not to noise, not to people coming and going. Her mother comes in, but unlike when Avira arrived, she stays motionless.
“The delirium will pass in a few days,” her mother says, stroking her hair.
“Is her impaired speech and shaking also from the delirium?” I doubt it.
She shakes her head. “These are neurological injuries. We don’t know yet how many more she has.” She meets my eyes. “We don’t know if they’ll ever fully heal. With rehab, maybe most will improve, but we can’t say for certain.” I see hesitation in her eyes before she says it. “Are you sure you want to stay with—”
“Yes, I’m sure.” I don’t let her finish. “That question doesn’t exist for me when it comes to her.” I look down at her. Her eyes are closed now. “I’ll do whatever it takes to heal her, but never because I can’t love her as she is. She’s my world. Nothing will ever change that.”
“I used to think you couldn’t love anyone, because of how many innocents you’ve killed.” I look back at her. She continues with a tired smile. “I was wrong.”
“You weren’t. I can’t love anyone but her.”
Her smile falters. She looks away from me, her gaze settling on her daughter.
Chapter 41
Salvario
I leave her with her mother and grandmother after she falls asleep, then step out.I wouldn’t leave her for a second, but there’s a fire in my veins that needs release.
I stop outside her room when I see Bruno and Rosie sitting there, their ears drooped. I crouch down, and they both come to me, but their movements lack their usual energy. I pat their heads, yet their eyes stay fixed on the door behind me.
“She’s afraid of them too.” Her father’s voice comes from a couch in the corridor.
I look at him. He looks worn out, nothing like the unbreakable King of the Underworld. I get up and walk toward him. Bruno and Rosie follow me.
“I want that man.” I don’t need to say who.
“I want Chris Flisher in exchange.”
“He’s already dead.” We ended him before leaving Canada. Keeping him alive was too much trouble, and worth nothing.
“You only get to kill one man.”
“I won’t kill him. I’ll leave him for you.”
He nods. “Leo will take you to him. Whatever you do, don’t kill him.”
He wants to make an example of him. And I couldn’t agree more.
He rises from the couch and leaves. I turn to Bruno and Rosie.
“Bruno, come with me. Rosie, stay.” I command.
