by T L Swan
“What we do is we go to bed. We’ll get up tomorrow, and then you try not to worry. Let me handle this. I’ll do the worrying for us both.”
My brave man, always taking the load from me.
“We’ll fight it in court,” he eventually says.
“And winning in court… what will that do?”
He frowns at me, not answering.
“You’re okay with the fact that our children will be perceived as criminals? That they’ll spend their lives not being able to make new friends? That we will live in this fucking bubble of protection from the outside world?”
“It is what it is.”
“What it is is fucked up.” I stand in a rush, and water sloshes out of the bath onto the floor.
“Olivia,” he sighs.
I snatch the towel from the rack, my anger exploding like a volcano.
“Don’t you Olivia me. I’m going to bed to dream about a life where I’m not in this mess—where the friends I make are there because they actually like me.” I flick the towel around my shoulders. “I know why you’re not scared about going to prison, Enrico.” I dry my back with vigor. “It’s because you already live in one.”
“Do you think I like this?” he yells.
My eyes well with tears anew at his anger. I’m fragile enough already. I don’t need him yelling at me, and I know this isn’t his fault, but I have nobody else to blame.
I storm into the bedroom and throw myself onto the bed.
I knew who he was. I knew the life that he led, but I never realized how hard living day-to-day without trusting a single soul was going to be. This isn’t who I am. I trust everybody I meet. It’s my nature. I like people. I want new people in my life. I’ll never make a new friend again after this.
I screw up my face to fight the tears. It’s all so overwhelming. I feel like my head is about to explode.
I get under the blankets, bury my face into my pillow, and I let myself cry.
I wake to the feel of a lead ball on my shoulders. It’s like I’m carrying the weight of the world. Enrico came to bed late last night but he didn’t touch me. He got into bed and turned his back.
I get up and go to the bathroom. Once I’m done, I climb back under the covers.
I’m more hopeful today.
We can fight this.
Good always wins over evil.
Enrico Ferrara is a good man. He’s the best.
I snuggle into his back. Eventually he rolls over, and we lie face to face on our sides.
“Hi.” I smile softly.
“Hey.”
He looks so sad.
“I’m sorry I blamed you,” I whisper.
“Don’t be. It is my fault.” He eyes hold mine and we lie in silence for a while, both deep in thought. He reaches up and trails his finger down my bare arm. “Having second thoughts about a life with me?”
“No.” His face is solemn. “Why would you even say that?” I pull him into an embrace. “I love you. I would never have second thoughts about us. This isn’t your fault, Rico. You can’t help the things that your family have done before you. Tell me about this madman.”
He sighs. “About six months ago, this guy started recruiting men.” He pauses, as if searching for the right words. “He’s burned down five of our brothels. He murdered one of the working girls in Sicily. He even carved his name into her face as a warning to me.”
My face falls. “What does he want?”
“The brothels.”
“Give them to him.”
“It doesn’t work like that.” He sighs sadly. “He’ll beat the girls, get them addicted to drugs, and eventually kill them if they ever try and leave. If I hand him the brothels, I hand over their lives, too.” He fiddles with the sheets between us. “And then he’ll come after us, anyway. It’s a power thing now, and he wants control. The ultimate trophy would be a Ferrara skull.”
Fear runs through me. “Did you tell the police this?”
“Yes, they know what he is: the worst of the worst. He’s killed about fifteen people so far, and those are only the ones the police know about. They want him, too.”
“God, this is one big mess.”
His eyes find mine. “This is why I can’t let you go to work anymore, Olivia. We can’t guard you properly while you’re there. Too many people come and go from your building every day. I know this is overwhelming but I promise you, it will pass. These uprises happen from time to time, and we always win. It’s just taking a little longer than usual to find this guy.”
“Do you think he’s going to try and kill you? And be honest with me… please.”
“I’m not worried about my life.”
My eyes search his as the real reason for his fear presents itself. “You think he’s going to try and kill me next, don’t you?”
He swallows the lump in his throat and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “If anyone wanted to hurt me, that’s the only way they could.”
My eyes fill with tears.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He sighs sadly. “I’m sorry that I dragged you into this life.”
Empathy fills me. “Rici,” I whisper. I pick up his hand and put it over my stomach. “Do you feel this?” I ask.
His hand spreads over my stomach as if it’s magical. Maybe it is.
“We’re having a baby.” I kiss him softly. “And we’re starting our life together—the three of us together. I’ll be fine. You have men everywhere. Nobody can get to us. I’m not going to leave the house until the police find this man, and then we can fight this bogus drug charge. You have the best lawyers who will get you off this. Of course they will because you’re innocent.”
He buries his head into my shoulder and holds me tight in his arms. I can feel his fear in his vise-like grip.
“Promise me you won’t die,” he mutters against my neck.
My vision clouds with tears. What a promise to ask to ask of me. “I promise you.”
Her takes my face into his hands and kisses me. His tongue slowly slides against mine, the emotion between us too much to bear.
I love this man. I love how he loves me. I would walk through Heaven and Hell to feel the way he makes me feel. I hate that he’s scared he’s going to lose me. I hate that he has to go through this. I want to protect him from everything and everyone.
“Now, you promise me something,” I say to try and lighten the mood.
“Anything.” He rolls over the top of me and lies between my legs. I wrap them around his waist. He begins to slowly slide his dick through my sex as we stare at each other.
“Promise me that when this is all over, we can take a vacation to a secluded beach somewhere.” He smiles against my lips. “And we can just be normal and pregnant for a while.”
He chuckles, and he slides into my body. “I promise.” He pulls out and slides back in deeper. “Sunbathing with you never sounded so good. I can’t wait.”
32
Enrico
Olivia straightens my tie as she sits on the bathroom vanity. She’s wearing her white robe, and her hair is in my favorite style of just fucked.
My nerves are at an all-time high. “You’re not leaving the house today, are you?”
“No, Rici.” She smiles at me. “I’m going to read my book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
I tighten the sash around her waist as my stomach churns. I can’t even look her in the eye.
“Hey.” She grabs my face and drags it back up to hers. “You okay?”
I nod, although I’m far from okay. I don’t want to leave her alone for even a second. “I just have to go into the office for a few hours and then I’ll be home. We can watch a movie or something this afternoon.”
“Okay.”
“If you need anything, call Marly. Nobody else is to come into the house.”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, you’ve told me already. Trust nobody.”
I grab the lapels of her robe and stare down a
t her. She’s so beautiful that my heart constricts. The mere thought of having to live without her terrifies me.
She’s going to be okay.
“You need to get going. The sooner you go, the sooner you can get back.” She smiles.
I take her into my arms and hold her tight. My eyes close to enjoy the comfort she brings me.
“Ti amo,” she whispers into my neck.
“I love you, too.” I squeeze her tighter. I don’t want to let go.
But I know I have to. I have to go try and clean up this cocaine mess.
I bend, pull her robe apart, and I kiss her stomach tenderly. Our baby is the light in my life—the only thing that matters.
“This is your father speaking,” I whisper to it. Olivia giggles as she runs her hand through my hair. “Behave in there today.” I kiss her stomach again, and with renewed purpose, I stand and cup Olivia’s face. I dust my thumb over her bottom lip as I stare into her big blue eyes. “See you later.”
“Bye, baby.”
I grab my briefcase, and with a heavy heart, I leave my love.
It’s 11:00 a.m.
Lorenzo and I are sitting at my desk, contemplating life. We’ve been talking for two hours.
A lot has happened in the last seven days. I’m engaged to be married. There’s impending fatherhood. Not to forget Sophia’s tragic death.
I’m overwhelmed and overwrought, and I had to talk to someone, so I told him everything. Lorenzo knows about the baby, and he knows my deepest fears. He knows I despise my father and grandfather for passing their dark life onto me.
He knows how badly I want Lombardi dead.
He will not get away with this. I will avenge Sophia’s death if it’s the last thing I do.
My phone rings, and the name Davidoff lights up the screen. It’s the police commissioner.
“Hello.”
“Enrico, I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop it.”
“What?”
“A warrant has just been issued for your arrest.” I close my eyes and exhale heavily.
Great.
“They’re on their way to your office right now. Get the hell out of there.”
I hold the phone to my ear for a moment, numb and dumbstruck. In all of my family’s history, a Ferrara has never been arrested.
“Thank you.” I hang up and stand. “The Carabinieri are on their way. We need to go.”
“What are we going to do?” Lorenzo frowns.
My eyes meet his, and I know that everything we just spent the last two hours debating is about to come into fruition.
This isn’t a choice anymore. It has to happen.
At least this will give me some time and allow me to come back to Italy unannounced. Then I can kill Lombardi and take him out of action for good.
For Sophia.
Being dead is the perfect alibi.
Diabolical.
But first, we have to get out.
Adrenaline begins to surge through my system, and I know the odds are against us. I dial Olivia's number.
“Hello,” she answers.
“It's go time.”
“What is?”
“Get your belongings. You have five minutes until you leave. Throw a few things into a bag. “What? Where are we going?”
“Away. Your plan from last night is about to happen. Right now, Olivia. A warrant has been issued for my arrest.”
“Enrico,” she whispers. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly.”
“What… w-what will I pack?” she stammers, her voice rising.
“Whatever the fuck you want. Marly will be waiting outside for you. Hurry.”
“Okay.”
“Olivia, stay calm, and whatever you do, don’t tell anyone anything about this.”
“Oh my God, Enrico, are you sure about this? It seems so very drastic.”
“We have no choice. We’ve been backed into a corner. This will just give us some time to prove the drugs aren’t mine.”
“Yes, yes, okay,” she whispers. “You’re right.” She sighs. “See you soon.”
Olivia
I sit in the back of the car and wait. We’re parked on the tarmac at the airport.
We were whisked through the security gates and allowed to drive straight through to the Ferrara jet as it was being refueled.
About ten minutes ago, the pilot and a stewardess boarded. They weren’t Italian.
Who were they? And if Enrico got them at such short notice, how much did he fucking pay?
My heart is in my throat. What if this plan backfires?
What if we don’t get away in time?
Will we both be thrown in jail for obstructing justice? God, I feel sick.
“What’s taking them so long?” I ask Marly.
He peers up into the rearview mirror. “They’ll be here soon.”
I close my eyes. Fear has infiltrated every cell of my body. Just getting here without other security was tough enough. I’m being watched for every moment of the day now. Marly lied and said he had to take me to a beauty appointment around the corner in Lake Como. With a few grumbles from the other guards, they finally agreed to let him take me on his own.
Now, we’re here at the airport, planning an escape. It’s a plan we are being forced into taking. We’re lying to everyone. We have no idea who we can trust anymore.
I put my hand over my stomach. Fuck. Imagine if I’m pregnant and in jail. I’ll be one of those women you see on cable with no teeth and two black eyes.
My eyes widen. What if I get deported?
“Oh my God, Marly,” I gasp. “What in the hell is taking them so long? Call someone.”
“Here they are,” he says.
I turn and see the black Mercedes pulling in through the gates. My eyes roam to behind their car. Is anyone following?
The car pulls up beside us, and Enrico gets out. He’s wearing his customary navy suit and tie. He offers me a calm and sexy smile as he opens my car door.
“Hello, my love.”
“Hi.” I climb out carefully. How the hell does this man look so in control when this is an out of control fucking situation?
He takes my hand. “Where is your bag?”
“In the trunk.”
Marly retrieves it for us and passes it over.
Enrico shakes his hand. “Thank you, Marly… for everything. You will be well promoted within Ferrara for your loyalty.” He turns to Lorenzo. “See to it that this happens this week.”
“Yes, sir,” Lorenzo replies with a nod. “Of course.”
Enrico leads me up the stairs of the plane, and I take one last look around.
“Olivia, time is of the essence,” Enrico reminds me.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” The captain smiles.
“Hello.” I’m quite sure that there is an unwritten rule somewhere to never lie to the pilot who is flying your plane.
Bad Karma or some shit.
I fake a smile as we pass him.
Don’t be alarmed. You’re just smuggling the mafia boss of Italy out of the country so that he can fake his own death. You won’t go to prison or anything if we all get caught.
This is safe, safe, completely safe.
Fuck…
I feel sick.
I make my way up the aisle. The plane is filled with white leather recliner chairs. I’ve been in it before, although it didn’t seem to have the same importance then.
Lorenzo takes a seat near the front, while Enrico and I sit in the middle.
Enrico leans over, straps me in, and then sits back, waiting for take-off.
Meanwhile, I’m perspiring.
The stewardess walks up the aisle. “Can I get you anything, Mr. Smith?” she asks.
“An amaretto and a mineral water with ice, please.”
“Of course, sir.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Jesus, don’t get drunk now,” I whisper under my breath.
Enrico smirks over at me and winks.
&nb
sp; I’m so envious of his ability to keep his cool during stressful situations. How the hell is he so calm?
The stewardess brings us our drinks, and before long, the plane slowly travels down the runway.
I crane my neck to peer through the window. “I don’t see anyone.”
Enrico sits back and rests his head on the headrest. “They think I’m in Sicily.”
“Why would they think that?”
“Because when they get to my office, that’s what they will be told.” His sips the amber fluid in the glass.
“Oh.” I nod. “Right.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Good idea.”
Enrico takes my hand and kisses it. “Go to sleep, bella. You will need your energy later.”
Energy later?
I stare at him as my brain fires a million horrible scenarios my way. Running from police. Being tackled to the ground. Being beaten to a pulp. Being thrown in jail.
“Olivia,” he says firmly.
I put my head into my hands.
“Would you have preferred I faked my death and left you alone in Italy to grieve?”
“No.” I frown at the horrible thought of thinking he was dead. “God, no.”
“Then relax. We will be in Roma in eighty minutes, and then we are out. It’s under control.”
“If you say so.”
I peer back out through the window and put my head back into the headrest as the plane launches down the runway at high speed.
Life of crime, here I come.
We’re standing on the boat ramp by the ocean, just outside of Roma.
Just Lorenzo, Enrico, and me.
“You have the details?” Lorenzo asks.
“Yes,” Enrico replies. “We get this boat to Ponza. Once there, we pick up a car from this address.” He takes out a folded piece of paper and opens it. There’s an address written down. “It will be rigged with explosives to which I will detonate once we get on a deserted road, leaving us dead… apparently.”
Lorenzo passes over two syringes. “Don’t forget to take blood and put it in the car. We need DNA evidence you were both in it.”
“Of course.” Enrico takes the syringes and puts them into his suit pocket. “Then,” Enrico continues, “I will pick up the car from the second location and drive to the runway on the other side of the island, where a plane with an American pilot will be waiting to pick us up.”
