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I can feel my cheeks heat at the intensity of his gaze. I’ve never met anyone who is so good at letting you know exactly how he feels without saying a word.
“Well… as far as I know,I’malive so…” I bury my face in my cup, feeling uncharacteristically shy.
He stares at me and then slowly leans in, pressing his lips to mine. I barely manage not to drop my cup, putting it shakily down on the table before I wind my arms around his neck and pull him to me. We kiss frantically, needing to feel each other’s presence.
His hands cup my face as he gently nips at my bottom lip before planting kitten licks along my cheek and down my neck. We are full on making out in a priest's house.
It's only the sound of approaching footsteps that stops us from going further. Not a moment too soon, as Father Lorenzo walks in, a concerned look on his face.
“I spoke to Eric.” He said heavily. “He is at the Cardinali residence as we speak. Your mother apparently shot your fiancé, Giada.”
Romano and I stare at each other before both turning to look at the priest. “What?” We say together.
“According to Eric, your mother went to wake you up this morning and found you dead. She was extremely distressed and began to shout and scream. Your father was downstairs speaking with Patrizio. They both heard her screaming and came upstairs. That's when they discovered you.”
I wave my hand feeling the same sort of distress my mother had probably felt. I don't want to hear this. There's no need for me to hear this. What for?
“Could you get directly to the point? I don’t know if I can bear to hear this” I say.
“I’m sorry, I know how difficult this must be. Your father and Patrizio tried to drag your mother away from your body, but she was hysterical and fought them all the way. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, she broke away from them and managed to take the gun from your father's holster. She pointed it at Patrizio, accusing him of being responsible for your death. Patrizio made the mistake of laughing and calling her a fool. She pulled the trigger.”
I cover my mouth with my hand in shock. “Oh God...” Closing my eyes I shake my head. How would all of this affect my family?
Honestly, I didn't think they would care much about my demise, especially not my mother. She had always been so distant. I would never have expected her to kill someone for me.
Simultaneously, I’m feeling relief at never having to see Patrizio again.
Grazie mamma…
I begin to pat my sides, looking for my phone before remembering that I left the house with everything. I look up at the priest, “Father, may I borrow your phone?”
Romano gives me a suspicious glance. “Who do you want to call?”
“My aunt. I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of me.”
Romano just looks at me, his eyes changing from hard and suspicious to soft and understanding. He passes me his own phone. “Use mine.”
I nod thankfully and immediately dial my aunt’s number from memory. She picks up on the second ring. “Yes?” She says cautiously.
“Madrina, it's me.”
There is a long silence on the other end of the line. “I have been waiting for your call ever since we discovered the empty bed.” I can hear the pain in her voice.
“Forgive mezia. I didn't think.”
She gives a long, tired sigh, “Where are you? Your parents are hysterical.”
“We are with Father Lorenzo, at his church.”
“And what do you intend to do?”
“We haven't talked about it yet. Believe it or not, I just heard about Patrizio. The minute I found out I knew I had to call and let you know that I'm fine and that I will explain everything as soon as I can.”
“Your husband is there with you?”
“Yes,madrina. He is. He's the one who got me from the house. He didn't know either. Only father Lorenzo and I knew. I'm so sorry for hurting you. It wasn't my intention.”
“I am just very relieved that you're alive. I was having a hard time believing you would take your own life. I'm glad I was right. Can I tell your parents you're alive?”
