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ChapterTwenty-Two
Ican’t believe they would fight like that. They look like they just went ten rounds with bloody Mike Tyson. I’m furious at them both. I don’t understand the need to beat each other to a pulp. What would that even solve?
“Dolcezza, I’m fine,” T says as I shove him into the bathroom.
“Zip it. I don’t want to hear it, T. You’re fine. Really? Have a look in the mirror. Look at your face and tell me again that you’re fine.” Opening the cabinets, I find a first aid kit at the back. I get to work pulling out antibacterial ointment and wipes.
“Holly, this is nothing. It will heal.”
“You have a swollen eye, and there’s blood running down your face. Not to mention, the rest of the bruises I can see developing all over you. Really? How would you feel if I came home to you like this?”
“The world would be in trouble because I’d go on a fucking rampage.”
“Exactly. Do you have any idea how much I wanted to fucking hurt Neo just now?”
“Well, I think I may have gotten one or two good hits in.”
“Argh, you’re so infuriating.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
“Sit still and let me clean you up.”
T wraps his arms around me. Even though he’s covered in sweat and blood, I let myself take comfort in his embrace. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to worry, dolcezza.”
“You’re hanging on by a thread, T. What if you had lost it when you were fighting with Neo? What if you snapped? You’d never forgive yourself.”
“I wouldn’t have let things get that far. This isn’t the first time Neo and I have sparred. And I’d be lying if I said it’ll be the last.”
“I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
“I know. But I’m okay. I promise. Not even a broken rib, dolcezza. I’ll mend in no time.”
* * *
After showering, Theo and I lie in bed and decide on a rom-com to watch. Halfway through the movie, I feel sleep taking over. “T, where did you disappear to today? What’d you have to do?”
His whole body stiffens beneath me, causing me to look up. I drop my head back on his chest and wait him out—to see if he’ll shut down or open up to me. After a few minutes, he sighs. “Neo found someone we were looking for. He had him in the warehouse. I had to go and see if I could get answers out of him.”
“And did you? Get answers?”
“Not enough. But some.”
“Want to tell me about it? I might be able to help, you know.”
“There’s a guy. He goes by the name: The Clover. He’s Irish, obviously. He’s the fucker with the contract on my head. It seems I’ve caused a bit of havoc in the operation he was running here in New York.”
“What kind of operation?”
“The child sex ring I went to Italy to stop. They were importing stolen girls and selling them right here, under our noses. Between me and Lana’s uncle, we’ve intercepted three of their shipments and saved those girls. They’re not exactly happy about that.”
“What kind of monsters are selling little girls? That makes me sick.”
“Yeah, it’s fucked up. I’m not about to let them do that in my city.”
“I’m glad. So how do we kill this Clover guy?”
T’s chest shakes with laughter. “Dolcezza,wedon’t do anything. As soon as I find him, I will kill him. Trust me.”
