Page 386 of Lars

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when I see you. Is Dario okay?”

“Yes, he’s fine – although…”

Niccolo paused.

My throat tightened in fear as I waited for his next words.

“…we’re afraid we might have lost Massimo.”

I felt sick to my stomach. “What happened?”

“We haven’t heard from him in three weeks since he escaped with the Widow’s granddaughter. We’re afraid that – ”

“No,” I interrupted, refusing to entertain the possibility. “Massimo’s a tough motherfucker – he’s fine.”

“…let’s hope,” Niccolo said in a melancholy tone of voice. “Did you get her?

The question threw me. “Who?”

“Your ex, the assassin?!” Niccolo said in exasperation. “The woman who took a shot at Dario?!”

Oh.

Yeah.

That.

“…that’s a long story, too.”

“Well, I’d like to hear it NOW.”

“I’ll tell you all about it when I get there. But I can’t really talk right now, if you get my drift.”

I could have told him about Rachel; it wouldn’t have been a problem.

I just wanted to kick the can down the road a bit further and not deal with it until I absolutely had to.

“Is the situation handled?”

“Yes.”

“Good. That’s all I need to know.”

I was relieved he dropped it.

“Is it safe to come back home?”

“Yes, although Roberto’s still in Hong Kong and Valentino’s in Sicily – ”

“What?!” I exclaimed.

Go away for two weeks, and the whole world changes.

“You know what, never mind,” I said. “Tell me when I get there.”

“When CAN you get here?”

“When do you need me?”

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