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“Me either. I tried to call the plane three fucking times, and the line is busy.”

“I wanted to speak to you about Calderone. We need to be sure of our next move.”

There was little he cared to discuss on it. The day had completely drained him physically and emotionally. “What we need is sleep. I can’t keep going like this.” He rose exhausted. “Maybe she’s right, and she needs to be free of this madness. Have you made sure Catalina is safe?”

Flavio nodded. Giovanni thought he saw relief in the old man’s face. He understood. The more irrational he became, the harder it would be to stay focused and keep from making big mistakes. “Get her home number. She should be landing in…” he drew back his sleeve. “Six hours. I will take a shower and get some sleep. Make sure Lorenzo and the men are all here by morning.”

“We will handle it.”

****

It was after nine at night when she landed. Exhausted, Mira went through customs and the airport in a daze. If Kei hadn’t seen her, she would have walked right past him. It felt so good to be with someone familiar, someone she could trust. Kei held her until she felt semi-normal and coherent. Thankfully he didn’t question her. She had little strength to filter all that she’d been through. Lying about Fabiana’s death to him was hard; maintaining the lie when she desperately needed someone to talk to would be impossible.

And Giovanni? Her thoughts were never far from him. Yes, he had manipulated her, but he had also changed her. Kei’s driver waited outside of the terminal, and once in the car she rested in his embrace. “I’m tired.” She mumbled.

“We will go to my place in Brooklyn.”

“No. I still have my condo in Manhattan. Take me there. Please.”

“Sweetheart the press is all over this. You don’t want to go there.”

Mira closed her eyes and sighed. “Okay.”

****

Giovanni woke and immediately reached for the phone. Dominic had located an American number he believed to be for an answering service of Mira’s. Flavio had left for the evening, promising to return in the morning. Though he was furious with the old man for having a meeting behind his back and allowing Mira to escape, he respected Flavio and his advice. He refused to believe either was done maliciously.

He listened to the rings and an automated voice instructing him to leave a message. “Bella… it’s me,” Giovanni sighed weakly. “I know you’re angrycara, and I… I know it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone. You needed me and I wasn’t here. I understand. I can’t be without you, Bella. I need… I don’t want to be cut off from you. Things are… difficult. I will fix it. I will come for you. Forgive me.Ti amo.Call me…” He left his number and ended the call.

Dropping back on his pillow, he stared up at the ceiling and thought of her. The last time she smiled for him. He remembered the smell of her skin, her passion, the feel of her body, the soft laugh she’d give him no matter how serious he became. Flashes of memories with her spanned more happiness than he’d ever experienced with a woman. And their time was short. It was decided. As soon as it could be arranged he was going after her. He’d win her back. He would propose. It could be a long engagement, but he would do it and prove to her that he wanted a future with her. It couldn’t change what she lost, but hopefully it would heal them. Maybe.

After a rapping on his door, it opened. Dominic stuck his head inside. Giovanni squinted at him. He threw his legs over the side of the bed and dropped his face in his hands. He needed to get up and out of bed. It was time. “Lorenzo and Carlo back?” Giovanni asked.

“Si. They are inVilla Rossowaiting for you.”

“Time? What time is it?”

“Eleven.”

Giovanni couldn’t believe the time. He had slept well past what he intended.

“Can I have a word? There’s something you should know.”

Giovanni sighed. His head pounded from the back to the front of his skull. All he wanted was a shot of espresso and a good cigar to get his body under control. Not morning news of more bullshit. “Can it wait? I need a minute.”

“It’s about your woman.”

Giovanni’s face lifted from his palms. He leveled his eyes on Dominic. “Mira? What about her?”

“After Flavio left last night I met with our men.” Dominic walked to the center of the room. “The version of events he shared with you isn’t the truth according to them.”

He rose. “Go on.”

“There was an argument. Her screams could be heard on the lower level. Carmine hurried to her room to see about her and discovered Flavio there. She didn’t demand to go. She was forced to leave. Flavio told him to stay out of it.”

Giovanni listened silently.

“He then dragged her from the villa in tears. She was barely allowed to take her things. Carmine tells me she asked to speak to you repeatedly.”