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.”