Page 32

Katie

At first, I thought it might be a firework. But fireworks don’t give off this much smoke. Leo lifts me from the ground and carries me to goodness knows where; I can’t see a thing from all the smoke.

“Don’t say a word; just hold on to me tightly, okay?” Leo whispers.

I nod, tightening my grip around his neck. He walks for a minute or so, then sets me down. A black hole appears in the ground; the smoke gets sucked down it.

“We need to climb down this ladder; I’ll go first. I’m right here, okay? You’ve got to trust me.”

He holds out his hand, and I take it as he helps me down into the darkness. Reaching above me, he closes the hatch we’ve just gone through.

“Keep going; I’ve got you.”

Leo's hands guide me down. The further down we get, the lighter it becomes. It’s still dark, but I can now see my hands in front of me. Once we reach the bottom, I see we are in some kind of tunnel; there's light at one end. The floor is wet and sandy. It smells like dead fish.

“Leo, where are we? What's going on?”

BOOM Another loud noise vibrates above us. Bits fall from above our heads. Leo pulls me into him, sheltering me from the debris.

“We are in the sea's overflow tunnel.”

“I can see that. But why am I here on my wedding day?”

“Two bombs have just detonated during our celebration.”

“Oh my god, my parents! The guests!”

“Don’t worry, everyone is fine. Well, apart from a couple of the Martelés and my father.”

“What! Oh, Leo, I’m so sorry.”

Noticing that Leo doesn’t look surprised, I continue. “Hold on a minute. How do you know this?”

“We planned it that way.”

“You planned to blow up our wedding?”

“It was the only way I could keep you safe.”

“And you killed your own father?”

“It was his idea. He wanted to go when he decided. Not when some horrendous illness decided to stop torturing him.”

“Okay, but I still don’t understand why us being in an overflow tunnel keeps me safe. Safe from what, Leo?”

“That’s the other thing. We died too.”

“Noooooo. You didn’t. Leo, you did not just kill us both! What about my parents?”

“Your parents are already in a helicopter on their way to the airport. They know you're safe and well, and they will be returning home to wait for your call. When the rest of the guests are told we are dead, they will be long gone.

My breathing picks up. “I think I’m having a panic attack.”

“Here, sit down.” Leo points to what looks like an old upside-down rubbish bin.

“I am not sitting on that in my wedding dress!”

“Just listen to me, Katie, please.”

“Go on.”

“Katie. Mrs. Guerra. I love you with every bone in my body. I can’t hide it. It's written all over my face. My body language oozes my obsession. You are my weakness.”

“And this is bad?”

“Yes. You make me weak. If I continued to lead as I did, you would never be safe. My enemies would always be seeking out the opportunity to hurt you. The leader of the Guerras must never be afraid. They must sacrifice themselves and their loved ones to protect their kingdom. Mrs. Guerra, I would sacrifice my kingdom to protect you.”

“Oh, Leo.”

“This way, my father dies in action. The Don dies with his wife along with the warrant which the Martelés had on him for killing their leader.”

“You’ve got this all planned out, haven’t you.”

“I had a little help.”

“COME ON!” Marco’s voice echoes down the tunnel, his huge frame blocking the light from the opening.

“Can you run in those shoes, or would you like me to carry you?”

“I can run.”

As we set off running, I overtake him, slapping his bum as I go. “I told you I don’t like surprises.”

“This is the last one I promise. Everything after today, you get to decide.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“I have no doubt you will.” He laughs.

Halfway down the tunnel, my heel gives way from the running. I don’t fall, though—my husband’s strong arms pick me up and carry me the rest of the way.

When we reach the end of the tunnel, Marco is standing there with Maria. Pulling her into me, I give her the biggest hug; I have no words.

Moving then to Marco, I pull him in for a hug as well. To my surprise, he hugs me back—well, sort of.

“Stay safe.” Marco says when I let go. Leo then embraces Marco.

“Thank you, boss,” Leo says to Marco, shaking his hand.

“Come, you need to get going.” Maria ushers us on the waiting speedboat.

Leo helps me in; then he opens a hatch just big enough for us both to lie down in. We say our final goodbyes and close the door. Leo pulls me on top of him, kissing my head.

“Just me and my wife from now on.”

The boat’s engine starts, and we literally sail into the sunset.