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“Bella…”

“Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!” she beat her fist against his chest. He pinned her down to the bed. She screamed out of frustration. He had no choice but to come into bed with her. To bring her into his arms and hold her. She relaxed and settled into his embrace. Tears streamed but the panic in her chest lessened.

“Stay,” she said as she began to drift.

“I’m here. I’m not leaving you.”

The last of her strength slipped and she eased back into sleep.

****

Mira woke from a touch to her shoulder. “Giovanni?”

Confused she blinked twice to see the face clearly. Flavio stood over her bed. His face was stern, almost a scowl. His grey eyes were polarizing. Surprised, she scooted away drawing the sheet up close to her.

“Signorina,you will need to get dressed. Now.”

“Why are you in here? Get out.”

“I have unfortunate news.”

“Is it Giovanni?” She sat upright. “Is he hurt?”

“He sent me. You have to leave. You aren’t safe here.”

“What? He said he wouldn’t leave me. Where is he?”

“Gone. You must get dressed while you still can. Take what you can, and we will send your things. There is a plane waiting for you in Napoli.”

“You’re a damn liar!! He wouldn’t break up with me through you! Not after my friend died today, not after… everything. He wouldn’t!” she shouted at him.

Flavio yanked the coverlet off her, and she swung and hit him in his face with her fist. The rage in his eyes made her quickly scoot away, almost scramble. She got out on the other side of the bed ready to defend herself if it came to it.

He sneered at her. “Puttana! He doesn’t care for you or that tramp who died today. You put on clothes and be ready to leave now or I’ll drag you out of here as you are.”

“NO! Giovanni!” Mira ran for the door. Flavio had to have anticipated her actions because he caught her and dragged her back from it. The door opened and a young man looked in, shocked. Flavio shouted something to him in Italian, and the young man closed the door. He then grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the shut door. Mira blinked from the force of his actions and the dull ache that cut through her skull.

“Listen to me. Run, scream, make this difficult in any way and I will shut you up. Permanently!”

Mira shook her head sadly at him. Flavio let her go, and she gasped for air, moving quickly out his reach, her hand to her throat. He yanked open the door and stormed out of the room. Putting her hands to her face, she cried once more.

****

The caravan of cars that moved along the country road began to slow down as all the vehicles one by one extinguished their lights. Giovanni clenched and unclenched his fist staring out into the night. His heart hammered in his chest, his throat felt dry as sandpaper, and his eyes watered from the constant strain of not-blinking. “Where are the Nigerians?” he asked.

“They will be here.” Dominic ended the call. “We just need to wait.”

“AndDon di Petro’smen?” Giovanni’s gaze swept the forested trees. The single road that drove up to the inn was free of cars. If the Don had sent his men they would be on foot, in the dark, and ready with his men.

“They’re out there.” He ended the phone call he was on and set the receiver back in the phone box situated in the middle of a leather console between the men. “Carlo confirms that Giuseppe’s rotting corpse was delivered to the Don’s wife.”

“Bene.” Still Giovanni couldn’t relax. He needed to get back to his Bella, to be there when she woke again. He remembered her holding him, how she pleaded for him not to go. Right now she was confused, thedottoresaid it was shock. Giovanni knew it was far worse. He suffered the same grief after watching his father gunned down in front of him. That kind of pain changes a person. He would do everything in his power to take the pain and fear from his Bella’s heart.

“Gio, there’s something you should know.”

“What is it?” he mumbled, and continued to stare out of the window.

“While you were tending to your woman, Flavio and I paidDon di Petroa visit on your behalf.”