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He puts his aviators up on the top of his head, fury in his eyes. I hesitate until I hear the rumbling of engines in the distance. I knew it was too good to be true.
And I know exactly who they want and they aren’t having her.
“Rosa, look at me.”
Tears stream down her cheeks.
“I need you to be strong for me,” I whisper, doing everything to keep my voice from breaking. “I need you to be brave.”
She shakes her head.“Luca, no. I know what you’re thinking. Please don’t leave me. Not again.”
I stroke my thumb under her eyes and wipe her tears. I turn to my brother, his face stoic.“Take her. Keep her safe.”
He shakes his head. “Luca, don’t do this. We can find a way. We need to run.”
I gesture behind him at the convoy of blacked-out SUVs.
“There’s too many. Take her. Get to Frankie as soon as you can. Tell him to do whatever he has to, to keep Rosa safe. Don’t worry about me.”I rush my words out.
“Luca, I swear to god. I’m not letting you do this.” She clambers onto my lap, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.
Tears burn in my eyes as her sweet vanilla scent invades me.
I bury my face in her neck.“I love you, Rosa. I’ll be yours forever. One day we will have it all, whether it’s in this life or the next. My heart only beats for you. Now, please, go with Keller. Let me finish this.”
Before she can reply, I yank her head up and crash my lips over hers.One last kiss.
I turn to Keller. “Please, just take her.”
“Noo!” she screams, tightening her grip around my neck, but I don’t move. I release my hands from her and hold them in the air and look to Keller, who leans in and grabs her by the waist. Her body hangs onto mine as he pulls her off me, taking my heart with him.
Her body flails against Keller’s.
“Get off me!” she screams.
I can’t look at her. I can’t have this be the last memory of her.
Keller holds her up in one arm, his fingers tightly wrapped around his gun in the other.“Just hold them down. Don’t give them anything. We will get to you. I swear to god. There isn’t anywhere in this city we won’t be able to find you. I’ll burn the whole fucking place down if I have to. Just keep yourself alive.”
I’m likely walking into my own death. I know this. It’s strange, but I’m okay with that so long as Rosa lives.
“Make sure you tell my nieces and nephews how legendary their uncle was.”
“Luca. Stop it,” he warns.
I slide out of the car and hand him my gun.
“What–”
I hold up my hand to cut him off and shake my head.“You protect her. With everything. Now go.”
He doesn’t move.
“Fucking go!” I scream.
“Shit,” he mutters.
I watch as he sprints away. Rosa’s wails ringing in my ears. She will be safe with him. At least I know that. I watch until he turns the corner and they’re out of sight.
