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Did the grunts call the cops on Savio? Somehow, I doubt it. But their presence has me tensing because I know, without a shadow of a doubt, they’re coming to the bar.
Maybe they’ve cracked a case and found that Corelli’s at the center of it. Maybe something implicated him in Gianni’s death. Either way, Savio can’t be caught in this situation.
I won’t,can’t, lose him.
With the certainty that the cops are coming our way urging me to act, I leap out of the car. My body’s tired after barely any sleep because even though I could have rested today, knowing we were going to commit murder tonight, I was on edge.
A strange plan enters my head, and though I must warn Savio and get him to act now, I know what I must do.
I checked out the restaurant on Google Maps on the ride over here, so I know the layout. The alley Savio’s gone down has an open end, and I run around there, going faster than my body wants.
When I see Corelli has reached the mouth of the alley by this point, I rush forward, yelling, “Now.”
Savio’s eyes glance over to me, and Corelli uses his split-second distraction to grab the knife.
It’s too late for him though.
With a single strike of Savio’s hand, he slashes Corelli’s throat, the blade slicing through his skin like butter.
The arterial spray arcs wide. It’s almost poetic how it spurts into the air. Until it collides with Savio. Until it drenches him in Corelli’s blood.
Histaintedblood.
While Corelli clasps at his throat, I surge toward the man I love and grab the knife. Just as his eyes flash with surprise, and the lights and sirens make themselves known, I can hear the stirring of humanity from the bar as if rats are leaving a sinking ship.
Brain whirring, I thrust upward, just like I would if I were Corelli’s height, and slice into my man’s abdomen before pulling the dagger free and tossing it on the ground.
Savio staggers to his knees, but even as his betrayal-soaked gaze breaks my heart, I scream, somehow louder than the sirens.
And I don’t stop until thecarabinieriare rushing down the alley and they see what I wanted them to.
One sinner.
One priest.
One angel.
CHAPTER 33
Savio
All For Love - Bryan Adams, Sting, Rod Stewart
Iwake up in a hospital bed.
At first, I wonder what the hell happened, then it hits me.
I remember.
It isn’t the first time I’ve landed in a hospital room, but it’s the first time there’s been someone sitting at my bedside.
She’s curled up, her hands propped under her chin as she sleeps like a child would.
Innocent.
An ache in my temple is what I get for attempting to recall the events of… last night? Events that presumably led me to this bed—drawing Corelli out of his busy restaurant by calling him a murderer, where he dealt with me personally rather than having his guards handle me because I’m his priest.
Catholics...