Page 280 of Lars

In the end, I couldn’t think of anything, so I just asked. “You sure I can’t convince you to come back with me? I think you can probably patch things up with Dario.”

Alessandra smiled sadly and shook her head no.

The pain in her eyes broke my heart.

“Alright… well, it was worth a shot. I, uh, programmed my personal number into your phone. I know Roberto gave you his card, and he can help you with money – that’s his specialty – but I can help you if you’re ever in danger. If you need anything – anything at all – give me a call, day or night.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I didn’t know what else to do – I hated leaving her like this –

So I tried a little joke to lighten the moment.

I held out my hand. She frowned the tiniest bit like she was surprised I was making our goodbye so formal. She reached out to shake it –

But at the last second, I pulled my hand back and turned my finger and thumb into a gun.

“Pew pew,” I said quietly.

Her expression was priceless.

Shock – outrage – disbelief.

I broke out into a belly laugh at the look on her face.

“Sorry – I couldn’t resist,” I said, then leaned forward and gave her a proper hug. “Good luck, Alessandra. Call if you need me.”

“I will,” she promised.

But as she got out of my car and entered the café, I got the sinking feeling I would never see or hear from her again.

Just like Rachel.

Little did I know what would happen just a couple of hours later.

135

When I returned to the house, the atmosphere was like a funeral.

Adriano stood outside by himself, smoking a cigarette and staring off into the darkness. I hadn’t even known he smoked; maybe he only did it when he was stressed.

Massimo stood silently with the footmen under the portico. He nodded somberly to me as I got out of the car and headed inside.

It felt like someone had died.

And I knew that however bad it was for everyone else, it was a thousand times worse for Dario.

When I walked into the foyer, Niccolo was coming out of the parlor. He’d just closed the door behind him.

“He in there?” I asked, gesturing with my head.

Niccolo raised one eyebrow like he was saying Unfortunately.

I headed for the parlor.

“He’s not going to talk to you,” Niccolo warned me.

“I’ll make him,” I said as I opened the door.

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