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I told her, giving her the broad strokes.
She sat for a moment in silence as she thought about it.
“That’s a good plan,” she finally admitted. “But if you try to kill Fausto in Rome, won’t Don Severino come after you?”
“Ask forgiveness, not permission.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That sounds like your lifelong motto.”
I laughed. “You’re not wrong.” Then I asked her softly, “Will you at least consider it?”
“…I’ll think about it.”
“You can’t wait too long.”
“I said I’ll think about it,” she replied tersely as she got up from the bed. “Besides, it’ll be better if I go back and make Fausto think I’m loyal to him.”
“The better to take him by surprise,” I said.
“Yes.”
“Areyou loyal to him?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“You should decide before the Council begins,” I said seriously. “You know I can’t take it easy on you tomorrow.”
She walked over to the side of the bed…
Leaned over…
Kissed me passionately…
Then pulled away and smiled archly. “You should bemoreworried that I don’t take it easy onyou.”
I tried to grab her hand again to pull her down onto me, but she evaded my grasp and headed for the door.
“Sure you won’t stay?” I called out.
“I’m sure,” she said without turning around.
“Then –ciao, bella.”
With the door halfway open, she turned…
Blew me a kiss…
And walked out.
Madonn…
What a woman.
135
Sofia
My taxi got back to thepalazzonear midnight.