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“I’m not sure how to answer that,” Abbysaid.
Angel sighed. “It’s the worst part about loving one of these men. There are so many wonderful things, but this one reallysucks.”
Abby laughed in spite of herself. The words sounded almost crass coming from the woman on the other end of the phone, and Abby had to remind herself that Angel wasn’t much older than her, that according to Max, she’d been born and raised in Boston, not in the villa in Rome where she now lived withNico.
“I take it you have more than your share of experience with itthen?”
“You have no idea,” Angel said. “It’s been challenging to bring each territory under control. A lot of the men got used to operating without guidelines, and Nico has more guidelines than Raneiro had. They weren’t all happy to be brought toheel.”
Abby thought about the trouble in Vegas — Jason and Fredo and the months and months Nico had spent traveling back and forth, trying to help Max, getting shot — and multiplied it by however many times they’d done itbefore.
“I’m surprised you’re still sane,” Abbysaid.
Angel laughed softly. “Who said I’msane?”
Abby smiled. “I trust Nico and Farrell, and even Carlos, although I don’t know him verywell.”
“I notice you left Lockeout.”
Abby could almost hear the grin in Angel’svoice.
“He came into the situation pretty late,” Abbysaid.
“He’s a good guy,” Angel said. “Unconventional, which is why he runs his own operation, but really helpful when you need an out-of-the-boxthinker.”
“So I was told when Max explained how they’re zip-lining hundreds of feet above the street to get into theTangier.”
“Oh, they’ll pretend not to like that,” Angel said, “but trust me — they’ll want to go again like kids atDisneyland.”
Abby laughed softly. “You’re probablyright.”
“Anyway, I just wanted to call and see how you’re doing,” Angel said. “And to remind you that you have a friend if you ever need to talk. Eventually you’ll get to meet Jenna and Charlotte and Isabel. In the meantime, I hope you’ll feel free to call meanytime.”
“I appreciate that. Any advice on getting throughtonight?”
Angel hesitated. “When I’m scared, I try to remember how much Nico loves me. It might sound silly, because it’s not like that offers him superhumanprotection.”
“Then why does it help?” Abbyasked.
“Because I know Nico will do anything to get home. To get back tome.”
Abby exhaled, the tension in her body allowing for the slightest bit of hope. “Thankyou.”
“Of course. When this is all over, come to Rome. I’ll stuff you full of pasta and you can sleep fordays.”
“Sounds like heaven,” Abbysaid.
“Talksoon.”
The line went dead and Abby set down her phone and trained her eyes on the city in thedistance.
Come home,Max.
Come back tome.
