Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Both of his eyebrows rose. “Why?”
Because I’d found my place—finally. It wasn’t in the streets of Rome. It wasn’t upon an iron throne. It was in Taormina, in the sunshine that reflected off the water, in the small village with everyone I’d known since I was a kid. It was in the glow of my mother’s love, in my sister’s smile . . . with the woman who would be my wife. “I did what I set out to do—and now it’s time to move on.”
“You know Rome will collapse again the second you’re gone—”
“I know the exact person who should take my place. A far better choice, if you ask me.”
I sat with Tommaso on the patio of the restaurant, both of us ordering drinks that we didn’t touch. Rocco had checked himself back in to the hospital because he was in no shape to do anything else but recover. I’d been working the whole time, putting the city back in order, removing the graffiti that marked the buildings.
And killing everyone who had become a traitor to their own empire.
“What’s next for you, Constantine?” Tommaso suddenly asked.
“Time to settle down in Taormina.”
He gave a nod like he’d expected that answer. “You ready for that?”
“Never thought I’d be excited for something so simple.” A grin stretched across my face. “But I am. And now that Rome will be in safe hands, I can really enjoy it. Move on and not look back.”
He watched the people pass on the sidewalk for a long time. Without looking at me, he said, “And Edric?”
“I haven’t gone by the house and grabbed him yet. But I will.”
“I can go with you if you’d like.” His eyes came back to me. “I dreamed of having you as a son-in-law, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still care for you like my own.”
My eyes dropped at his unexpected affection. “That means a lot to me, Tommaso.”
He looked away again.
“And it’d mean a lot if you came with me.”
I stopped by the hospital and sat at Rocco’s bedside.
He was knocked out, the TV still on in the corner.
I got comfortable in the chair and put my feet up on the edge of his bed as I watched the screen. It was some soap opera where a cougar was having an affair with her stepson, and there was lots of drama and spice . . . pretty entertaining.
Aurelia texted me. I’m sorry to be clingy, but when are you coming home?
I’d been working all week. Collapsing into bed just to sleep for a couple of hours before I was back on the streets again. I hadn’t had a chance to call or text much. Be as clingy as you want, sweetheart. You know I’m into it.
God, I miss you.
A warmth like sunshine filled my veins. I loved it when she wanted me. Loved it when she needed me. And I loved that she was so transparent about it. I miss you too. I’ll probably head home tomorrow. Just gotta tie up some loose ends.
Okay. Let me know when you leave.
I will.
How’s Rocco doing?
He’s asleep right now. I’m at his bedside.
Will he be able to leave the hospital soon?
I think so.
The conversation died, so I slid the phone back into my pocket.
A couple minutes later, Rocco blinked a few times as he stared at the TV, the soap opera coming into view. “They haven’t gotten caught yet?” he asked in a raspy voice.
“Her husband just found the text messages. Think he’s gonna confront her.”
“You think he’ll blow her head off or just divorce her?”
“I don’t think they blow people’s heads off in soap operas.”
“Well, they should. That’d be great television.” He released a heavy sigh as he pushed himself up in bed, then clicked the button to make the top half of the bed lift to support him. “How long have you been here?”
“About an hour.”
“You’ve been watching me sleep for an hour? Fucking creep.”
“I was watching the show.”
“Right.” He turned his head to look at me. “Doctor said I can go home tomorrow. Thank fucking god.”
Then the timing was perfect. “Cosa Nostra and I are leaving tomorrow.”
“How long will you be gone?”
I stared at him.
He stared back.
It took a couple seconds for it to click, and when it did, his eyes changed. “You aren’t coming back . . .”
“No.”
He gave another sigh before he lifted himself farther up.
“I thought I would want it, but I don’t. I’m a different person now.” I wanted to raise my kid in the village, have a quiet life with Aurelia and Medusa, spend time with my mother while she was still around. “Which works out great because I think you’d do a much better job anyway.”
He turned his head to me when he heard what I said. He stared, the silence somehow louder than words.