Page 72 of The Don's Soulmate

I have no idea what she means, but I take it to mean something good.

We drive over twenty miles, before we reach a car parked at the corner of a house. As I pull up our car right behind it, I cut the engine and we sit in silence for a moment.

“That’s the car,” I tell her, pointing ahead. “It’s manual, old, chunky. No one will place us in it, or care to trace if it’s stolen.”

“But,” she sighs, “what about the owners?”

Now this is the real Carlotta. Fifteen minutes ago, she was laughing and explaining the world’s most notorious bandits to me, and now, she’s worried for the owners?

“Don’t worry, cara mia,” I say, shaking my head with a smile. “I’ll leave them some cash on the bonnet of my car. I believe they might even appreciate the exchange.”

“If you say so,” she looks doubtful. Damn it, if the situation wasn’t so dire, I swear she’s capable of giving me a conscious.

But right now, all I care for is our survival.

“Come,” I say, leading her out of the car. “Mind if you give me your clip?”

With wide eyes, she lets her hair loose around her shoulders. The world slows down, taking every curl as it floats down her back. Her face looks smaller, almost child-like and innocent with her hair like that.

“Ettore?” she whispers, her eyes motioning at the clip.

Right. Now is not the time to daydream.

I take the clip and loosen it to act like a pin. Swiftly, I insert the pin into the lock and twist it. The door creaks open, revealing the torn interior of the car.

"Come," I say, taking her hand and settling her in. I’m about to get into my seat when I remember what I’m forgetting.

I take out my wallet and walk back to my car to leave a stack of cash on the hood, my promised exchange.

To Carlotta, a word given is an act considered done.

***

Up ahead, the lights of a ramshackle inn appear through the trees. It will have to do for now. I pull up the long dirt drive and kill the engine, peering into the gloom for any signs of life.

"Wait here while I check us in," I tell Carlotta. She looks uneasy but doesn't argue.

I step out, senses alert for danger. The night wraps around me like a cloak as I stride toward the inn's weathered door.

Inside, an ancient clerk blinks at me from behind the counter. I pay him in cash for a room, a little extra for no questions asked.

With rusty keys in hand, I hurry back to Carlotta. Our haven, however humble, awaits.

I slide back into the driver's seat, keys jangling in my hand. "We're set. I got us a room in the back."

Carlotta nods, relief flickering in her eyes. I know she's exhausted - it's been a harrowing night.

As I pull the car around the inn's crumbling facade to park it right, she speaks up softly. "Ettore...there's something you should know."

I glance at her. "What is it?"

She takes a breath. "When I was Ugo's prisoner, I overheard him giving orders. He's sending assassins after you, Ettore. It’s three brothers at your heels. I’m sorry I don’t remember their names. You're in danger."

Of course, she doesn’t know I’m already privy to this little bit of information. What touches me most in this moment is her unwavering loyalty. Even with all that’s happened, she remembers to warn me.

“You,” I turn to touch her cheek, and she leans into my palm, her eyelashes fluttering against my fingers. “Have nothing to apologize for. I know these men. Let them come.”

Chapter 33

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