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Papa nods. “That sounds like a good plan.” He strokes the side of my face. “I love you, and I can see that Rocco was the right man for the job after all.”
I furrow my brow. “Right man for what job?”
“For handling you.” Papa manages a small smile which I can make out through all of the gauze wrapped around his face and head. “Nico assured me he was the guy, that he’d take care of you no matter what.”
I nod. “I shot him today.”
“And here you are telling me about it. Mission accomplished.” Papa strokes the side of my face and I place a hand over it.
“I love him, Papa.”
“I can tell.” He smiles. “I hope he knows what he’s getting himself into with you.”
“I think he’s got a good idea considering he’s now in surgery to remove that bullet of mine.” I lean over to kiss my father’s forehead. “I love you, too, Papa.”
“I know. And I love you. I should have told you that every day for the past eight years to make sure you heard it and believed it. You’re everything to me, and all I have left.”
“Yeah, and don’t you forget it,” I whisper with a quick sniffle. I know what’s coming next, and I don’t like it at all.
More tears. Again? I just can’t. It’s getting a little ridiculous now.
One day I’m a lethal assassin, and the next, an emotional train wreck.
This is my evolution?
Really?