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I stare at him in shock, and he looks so angry I wonder if this was a good idea. Suddenly, I’m afraid—really afraid. It’s as if a huge bolder is heading down a mountain toward us, increasing in strength, ready to crush us to death.
I’m having a panic attack, I must be and only Alessandro’s calm words keep me from screaming.
“I’ve got you, baby. He can’t hurt you now, but he may be the key that will unlock your mind.”
“I don’t think…” I’m struggling to breathe as an unknown force presses down, trapping the air inside my lungs. I’m drowning in fear and yet Alessandro holds me close and provides comfort as only he can, and I understand this is a meeting that needs to happen.
I take a deep breath and say tentatively, “Ok.”
“You agree.”
He sounds proud and I stare up at him in surprise.
“There she is.” He strokes my face lightly and I shiver with need as he says gruffly, “The girl who always stood up for herself. She didn’t back down and took no shit. You are the bravest woman I have ever met, and that bravery will get you through this.”
“I disagree.” My voice shakes as I say wretchedly, “I am weak. I may have been brave once, but that’s been torn away from me, leaving only the jagged edges. I’m only prepared to face him with you beside me. That doesn’t make me brave, Alessandro.”
“Bullshit, baby.” He winks, which makes me smile.
“Winter Sontauro is a fighter and that fight back begins now. We both have our battles, and we will face them together.”
He twists my fingers in his and raises them to his lips, staring deep into my eyes the entire time, giving me the strength to get through this, and with a hardening resolve, I nod.
“Then let’s go.”
* * *
We walk silently,side by side, and I’m surprised when he stops by a buggy and helps me inside.
“It’s not far, but too far to walk in the heat of the sun.” He smiles his encouragement, and I try desperately to calm my frantic heart.
As we set off away from the main house, something about this seems familiar. It’s almost as I was brought up knowing places like this existed. I’m guessing my own childhood home was much the same as the memory of what happened near to the orchard that day comes back to haunt me.
I sigh and Alessandro says quickly, “What?”
“I’m just wondering if all my memories are bad ones.”
He shakes his head and says with a wink. “Not all of them, I hope.”
My face is on fire because I’m guessing we shared more than just one kiss back at Rockwell and I’m even more surprised to discover that I want to make new ones, today if possible.
The cart stops at a building that on the outside looks like a smaller version of the mansion we came from. However, as soon as we step inside, I can tell this is no home. It’s purely business in every way.
Alessandro nods to the guard on duty who peers at us with a curious expression and as I follow him down the dark corridor, my heart starts thumping with fear. What will I find? Will my husband be beaten, in pain, unrecognizable? Will he be angry with me? Does he have any power here? We stop outside a steel door and Alessandro places his hands on my shoulders and looks worried.
“If it’s too much, we’ll walk away. Angelo made me promise not to bring you here, but well, I’m doing it for all the right reasons.”
“I know that.” I take a deep breath. “I want to remember. I need to remember and if this helps that happen, I would be a fool not to try.”
Dropping a light kiss on my lips, he rests his head against mine and whispers, “Then prepare to conquer your demons, baby.”
The door opens and we head inside, and I blink at the sterile space that’s a little familiar somehow. I’m guessing it’s because of the hospital, which is exactly what this appears to be.
White marbled floors are clean and there is a strong scent of antiseptic in the air, but I’m more surprised to see the wheelchair placed in the center of the room where a slumped figure lies.
“Is that him?” I whisper, holding onto Alessandro’s hand so tightly it must hurt, and he nods.
“Massimo Delauren. Once powerful Mafia Don brought to his knees and locked in a living hell.”
