Page 77 of Bianchi

When we enter Massimo’s office, he directs me to take a seat in front of his desk. A laptop sits open on top of it, and after tapping away on the keys, he turns it to face me. An image of myself in that stupid dress Romeo had me wear stares back at me.

Reaching over the screen, Massimo presses play and I watch the video, trying to take in every detail. When it finishes, he presses the lid closed and leans back in his chair before asking, “What did she say on that call?”

Shrugging, I reply, “Nothing.”

Massimo sighs heavily, as if my perceived defiance is tiresome. “You can’t protect her, Aurora. We know it was from a number associated with the Russians. And possibly the ones involved with your uncle.”

“I’m not protecting her. She literally said nothing,” I implore. “Well, not nothing. She said ‘hello’ a whole bunch but I don’t think anyone was on the other end.”

Exhaling, Massimo runs his hand through his hair. “Okay, thank you.”

As I stand, I lean toward him, resting my hand on his desk. “I don’t think she had anything to do with what happened to me. She’s my friend and if she isn’t already…” I shake my head, unable to get the word out. “I just ask that you don’t do it. If she’s still alive, let her go.”

He runs his tongue over his teeth, before turning his laptop back to face him and opening it again. “That’s not how this works.”

I dig my nails into the palm of my hand. “I’m very aware of that.”

“Even if it did, it’s too late.”

With tears brimming in my eyes, I leave Massimo’s office, my mind swirling with images of a lifeless Haven.

I’m not cut out for this life.

Chapter 50

Romeo

My body and mind are exhausted. In fact, everything is tired. I want nothing more than to climb into bed, pull Aurora into my arms, and fall into a dreamless sleep. But I know that I’ll be awake until the early hours, running through plans and trying to figure out how best to approach the situation with Elio as I steal glances of her in our bed.

Time is running out. Both with getting to Elio while he’s in New York, but also with trying to gain back Aurora’s trust. The latter feels more and more impossible with each day that passes. Yes, she lets me hold her in her sleep, but come the morning, her walls go right back up.

I rub my fist over the throbbing in my chest, dismissing the idea that I might have to let her walk away. Not a fucking chance. I can’t let her go. I’ll take what I can for now but come the end of the week, I need a plan that doesn’t revolve around me locking her away.

Slowly pushing open the bedroom door, I slip into the darkened room. Immediately, I sense something isn’t right. There’s a hollowness that hangs in the air like there isn’t a living, breathing soul in the room.

The curtains hang slightly ajar, and the moonlight casts a beam of light across the bed. The empty bed. Every muscle in my body tenses at the sight before I rush through the room, checking the bathroom and closet for any sign of her.

She’s gone.

One of her drawing pads sits on the table by the window and I move toward it in the hopes it might hold a clue. Flicking through the pages, my breath halts when they reveal two pieces of folded up paper. I snatch them up, sinking back into the chair. Carefully, I unfold the first, my eyes widening as I take in the typeface.

This is why she left? Cazzo. She was trying to protect me? I throw the note onto the table, opening the second slip of paper. Her neat handwriting greets me and my eyes scan over the words.

My darling Romeo,

If you’ve found this note, I’m assuming I’m either dead or you’ve discovered that I’ve gone. I promise I’ll try my best to return to you, but if I don’t, I need you to know that what I did was for you. I love you and you’ll always hold my heart.

Love, Aurora.

Forever and always x

I move quickly, storming from the bedroom as I pull out my phone and call Daniele. It rings out before going through to voicemail. Nausea claws at my throat as I try him again. My phone vibrates against my ear as his voicemail connects. Pulling it away, I disconnect the call and bring up our message thread.

Daniele

She’s in one of the spare rooms.

I was just with him and he decides to wait until he’s in the safety of his room to tell me this shit? This has gone too fucking far. Stopping in the hallway, I dial him again. When he doesn’t answer, my fingers fly furiously across the screen.

---