Page 3 of Masked Hearts

“Valerie said she's been trying to get hold of you, but you’re dodging her calls,” my brother says in a tone that lets me know he was forced to bring this up.

“Well, I’m still pissed about everything, and tell Ambrose to stop using you as a messenger. If he wants to say something to me, he should just say it himself.” I sigh at the end.

He exhales. “Okay, don’t get your glasses in a twist. Anyway, the reason I called is to let you know they’ve been talking about you coming back soon. Well,Mamá’sbeen nagging to get you back here safely, and Ambrose met with a few members of the French cartel.”

My entire body shifts into high speed and my heart rate picks up with the excitement of possibly being able to go home soon.

“Really?” My voice gives my excitement away, and immediately Adriano shoots it down.

“It isn’t confirmed, Nino, don’t get too excited just yet. Wait until Ambrose mentions it to you.”

“Yes, of course, I’m just glad there's some progress. I was worried about leaving it up to dumb and dumber,” I say as I pick up my glasses from where I threw them. I wipe them off before placing them back into their case next to my laptop.

“You and I both. But listen, I have to go to physical therapy. Enjoy what might be your last few nights in paradise before you’re forced to come back and deal with all this shit,” he says.

“I will. I’m the best at just enjoying myself,” I say smugly.

“No one who’s actually capable of having a good time says things like that.”

“Hmm, enjoy therapy and try not to bone her until your hands are working at 100% efficiency again.”

“I’m sure she can help me out with a few exercises to strengthen it.”

I scoff and hang up the call.Enjoy myself?I’ve been working non-stop since I landed in Mauritius. Relaxation has been the last thing I’ve thought of. Which is insane, when you think about the fact that I’m literally on an island built specifically for just that.

After the conversation with Adriano and the meeting with Clive, the need to shower becomes imperative.

“Nico, I’m gonna take a shower and then head to the pool before lunch,” I say as I walk towards my room.

Forty-five minutes later, I’m stepping out of my shower, ready to head to the pool. Sure, forty-five minutes for a shower can seem a bit excessive, but what’s forty-five minutes of a lifetime?

Next to nothing.

Time is such a crazy concept.

I chuckle to myself at the thought while Nico and I walk to the main pool of the resort that seems oddly empty considering the time. I suppose the grey clouds may have something to do with it, but with temperatures still north of 37ºC, there’s no place I’d rather be than in the water right now.

Nico occupies his usual spot under an available umbrella, ready to catch up with the latest episodes of whatever cooking show he’s watching.

I toss my towel onto a lounge chair next to him, gazing around the area again as I slowly step into the pool. It really is so odd how empty the pool is.

I furrow my brows, but brush it off again, choosing to rather pay attention to the relief the cool water brings my warm body.

With one large breath, I immediately dive under the water.

Silence.

Beyond the faint sound of birds and the pool pump, it's silent. But my mind isn’t.

I resurface, taking another breath before I paddle off towards the opposite end of the pool.

Seven months.

Seven months of this shit show. I’ve been on this stupid island forthreeof those months and now he's finally deciding to do something about it. We’ve barely spoken–mainly due to my avoidance–more than five times since I’ve been here.

Everything I’ve heard has either been from Adriano, Gus, or my mamá. Even Kaia has called on a few occasions to check in.

That one hurt the most—knowing she had been to South Africa numerous times over the last seven months, but we couldn’t risk her safety by having her stop over here.

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