Page 87 of The Deal

“Oh, Alex.”

“I need to go there.”

“Is it safe?”

“Bella, I don’t have a choice. This is my family we’re talking about. I want you and Giovanni to stay here. Please don’t leave under any circumstances. I’ll make sure the guards are on high alert.”

There’s so much I want to ask, but I stay quiet, not wanting to add to his already heavy burden. Instead, I nod and say, “Alright.”

I can see how close he is to breaking, and I don’t want to do or say anything that might push him further.

“Thank you.” He briefly wraps me in his arms, and I can feel his body trembling beneath my touch.

“Do you want me to pack you some clothes while they get the helicopter ready?”

He places his lips on my forehead. “Please.”

I’m jolted from my sleep by the ringing of my phone. I roll over and grab it from the nightstand, and when I see Alex’s number lighting up the screen, I gently throw back the covers and move to the side of the bed.

Giovanni is beside me and, thankfully, hasn’t stirred.

I answer the call as I step out of the room, closing the door softly behind me. “Hey,” I say, my voice a little shaky. It’s the first time I’ve heard from him since he left earlier today.

“Hey,bella.” I can already hear the dejection in his voice. “I’m sorry for calling you in the middle of the night … I just needed to hear your voice.”

“It’s okay. How are you? How are things down there?”

When Giovanni went to bed, I caught a snippet of the news, but as soon as the news anchor said,“Christmas Day massacre”, I quickly turned off the television.

“My dad didn’t make it … he was pronounced deceased at the scene. My brother, Dante, just got out of surgery. He’s in intensive care in a critical condition. I don’t know if he’s going to make it, Chloe,” he says, his voice breaking.

I wish I could put my arms through the phone and hug him. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I hate that I’m not there to comfort you.”

“I could do with one of your hugs, but you are safer where you are. How’s Giovanni?”

“He’s okay, none the wiser. I told him you had to go somewhere for work but would return in a few days.”

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be here for,amore mio.I can’t leave my little brother in this condition … I’m all he has left.”

My heart is breaking for him.

“I understand. Do whatever you need to do. I’ll look after Giovanni until you get back. You don’t need to worry about him.”

“I know you will.”

The next three days seem to drag. I try my hardest to stay present for his little boy, but my heart is not here … it’s wherever Alexander is.

After dinner, I’m bathing Giovanni when I hear the distant thrum of helicopter rotors.

He’s back.

“Do you hear that? I think that might be your daddy,” I tell him, as my heart begins to race in my chest. “Let’s hurry up and get you washed so we can go and greet him.”

Since his last call, I haven’t spoken to Alexander on the phone, but I’ve received a few intermittent messages with updates on his brother. Alexander’s previous text said he wasworking on transporting Dante to Sydney via air ambulance, hoping he’d get better care there.

By the time Giovanni is out of the bath, dried, and dressed in his pyjamas, the helicopter has landed.

We both rush to the door to greet him. As soon as I open it and find him standing on the front porch, I launch into his arms.

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