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“I told him the day I ended it. I couldn’t live with this secret. He knew and getting back to where we started was a lot of work. I thought he’d never stop hating me, but finally, we recovered.”
We sit silently for a while, and then I touch her arm. “Why don’t I sing for Leo?”
“Would you?” she replies eagerly, as though she’s been waiting for me to ask this question. “Last time, Iknowhe understood. He heard your voice. He hasn’t reacted like that to anything since the stroke.”
“Whenever you’re ready—wheneverhe’sready—I am, too.”
“He’s awake now if you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“If I’m going to be your daughter-in-law one day, I should get used to singing, right?”
She grins, looking like a little girl for a moment. Wiping her cheeks, she nods and takes my hand. I know she’s made mistakes. I know it will be hard for her sons to forgive her. Yet despite the fact she did something I could never dream of, she’s a good person.
CHAPTER26
Elio
I stand at the window of the suburban neighborhood, watching as two brothers wrestle in the front yard of the opposite house. I’ve got a few Family men posted at locations around the ’hood to make sure the Shanks don’t find us, not that there’s much chance of that happening.
It’s been a long day. It’s almost the evening. A long day of going from location to location, destroying hard drives, eliminating that filth. Then I was on the phone with our business manager, cutting the cords to this stadium deal before we get any deeper.
“Russel’s in the basement,” Luca says as he enters the living room and drops into a chair.
“Good,” I reply.
“Nothing to do now except to make sure he’s told us the location of every single one. I’ll let him stew for tonight.”
I nod. “In that case…” I reach for my pocket.
Luca chuckles. “You’ve been doing that all day.”
Sitting opposite him, I can’t help but smile. It must be how accustomed we are to this life, the fact I can still smile after everything. “I knew it would distract me if I started texting her.”
Checking my phone, I finally open my text thread with Scarlet. She sent me a text several hours ago.Good morning. I know you’re busy today. I just wanted to say good luck.
It has been busy,I reply.But I think we’ve deleted all the copies. I’m almost certain. Russel is adamant about it, but it’s not like I’m going to trust that worm. When he’s given us everything, I’ll be able to get revenge for what he did to you.
…
As the three dots appear, telling me she’s typing a reply, I can’t help but grin widely. It means my woman has been waiting for my message, maybe. I imagine her in bed, wearing some tight-fitting PJs, her lips pursed in that sassy, sexy way of hers.
I know you’ll do what you have to do,she replies.
It would be the same for any bastard who tried to hurt you,I tell her.You’re my woman now. Don’t forget that—my perfect, kind, beautiful girl. Nobody gets to hurt you. Ever. How has your day been? Or is that a stupid question?
It should’ve been terrible, right?she texts.Mom’s going through withdrawal hell. And there’s Dad, but honestly, after what we talked about last night, I’ve got this floaty feeling. You know?
I do know,I tell her.Very well. It’s
I stop writing the message for a second, knowing what I want to say.It’s love, but that message not being sent has prevented me from crossing that line. For now, anyway.
It’s all I can think about,I go on.Being with you.
Me too,she replies.When will I see you again?
Maybe tomorrow.Maybe the day after. I have to get this sorted before I see you. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus.
Am I really THAT distracting?
