The door creaked open. “It’s me. I’m just grabbing your dirty clothes.”

“Ryah, I need you to take a look at the back of my legs.”

“Yeah, sure.”

She opened the shower door and gasped. “Rocco, there’s large blue and red bruises on your thighs and a smaller one on your back. When you get out of the shower, come to my room, I’ll take care of your wounds again.”

“What are you saying, this is becoming a regular occurrence?”

She laughed. “Yeah. It’s ok. I don’t mind. See you in a minute.”

Maybe next time I’ll take a few more hits so Dr. Ryah could nurse me back to health. I chuckled inside.

***P***

Resting my chin on my arms, I anticipated the sting. “You know you could just use peroxide.”

“Alcohol works better, Rocco.”

Melanie walked into the room. “Rocco, are you ok?”

“Yeah, just a little banged up.”

She twisted a long lock of black hair around her finger. “Is Luciano all right? I hadn’t heard from him.”

“He’s fine. Technically, I’m not here. I made a special trip to see Ryah before I had to pick up a gun shipment tomorrow morning. I’m sure Agosto was happy to take a shower in the apartment out back.”

“Invite him in to fix himself a plate.” She smiled.

“I will. Thanks again.”

“No problem. And one more thing.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t forget you sleep down the hall.”

“Understood.”

A short time later, Ryah sat at the kitchen counter next to me, leaning on her elbow.

“Haven’t eaten a home cooked meal in a while, huh?”

“Nope.” I loaded the fork with a mountain of spaghetti, then stuffed my mouth.

“You polished off two plates of spaghetti and three buttered rolls. Impressive,” she snorted.

“I’ll take a home cooked meal over fast food any day.” I gulped down half a glass of water.

“Me, too. Especially my Mom’s home cooking.” She sipped a glass of iced tea.

“What’s it like out there?”

“We’re on a constant state of alert. The second you think about closing your eyes an attack happens, then you’re on the move. Not to mention, I have to wear a disguise to hide my identity.”

“Send me a pic tomorrow when you’re in costume,” she laughed.

“Ryah, I look ridiculous.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Rocco, please,” she purred into my ear.

“Ok, I will.”