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I could snap her in two, but she’s not afraid of me. Maybe she knows me better than me. Maybe she trusts I’d never do it even when I’m not so sure. I destroy delicate things. That’s who I am.
Who am I though?
That’s what I’m wondering as we fly over the ocean toward the mainland. She’s beaming as she stares out at the view, her hand still clasped in mine.
Am I the head of my family? Out for revenge against the man who slaughtered my parents and my sister? Or am I just a man on a date? Taking a beautiful woman for a night out?
Am I going to keep her? Alessandro sure seemed to think so. Is it possible that I could keep her?
It’ll piss Piper off, maybe spark a war with him or the cartel, perhaps both.
I think about sending her away when she’s pregnant. I don’t feel guilt, usually. But something inside me gnaws at me. It’s a sensation I’m not used to. I don’t like the feeling. I choose to ignore it. I’ll think about that later. For now, I’m going to enjoy tonight.
Twenty-Two
Marco
* * *
“Where are we going?” she asks as we pass over the first town inland.
“Hollow Gulch,” I reply.
“What’s there?”
“A museum.”
“I thought we were going to a restaurant.”
“Later. Something I want to show you first.”
“What?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“How long will it take?”
“See that town down there?”
“I think so.”
“That’s Hollow Gulch. It’s there.”
The helicopter loses height. She tightens her grip on my hand, leaning against my shoulder. It’s the first time I’ve seen her properly afraid and willing to take comfort from me. I’m glad to give it. Feels good to make her feel safe.
We come in to land by the town’s football pitch. There’s a patch of grass that’s clear enough for my purposes.
I get her out and away from the turning blades. Once we’ve enough distance from the chopper to talk, I tell her she’s going to like this.
“You sound very sure,” she replies.
“Close your eyes,” I tell her, stopping on the corner before the museum.
“Why?”
“Trust me. It’ll be worth it.”
She does as I say. I lead her by the hand around the corner and past the signs for the exhibition. “Up the steps,” I tell her, making sure she doesn’t fall. We go inside. The museum has closed for the day, but Alessandro has arranged everything. A skeleton staff has remained to make sure we have access for the next hour.
