Page 76 of Merciless Monster

“I will.”

“When are you leaving?”

“In three days.”

“Wow, that soon?”

“Why wait? I want to get this done.”

“Dante’s going to go apeshit if he can’t get hold of you. You must know that, right?”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Well, darling Mia, I’m here for you. Please know that you can call on me at any time.”

“I know. I love you, Gina.”

“I love you more, M.”

“What will I tell Dante?”

“I don’t know. Just lie your ass off.”

* * *

My escape has been arranged. The house in Texas is open to us for as long as I need it. The property is in a trust, so Dante won’t know to look for me there. I feel awful for doing this, but I’ve given it so much thought. I love Dante, but I cannot allow his world to taint my son.

The only trick now is to escape Paolo’s eagle eye. There’s no way he’ll let Angelo and me leave LA. But I have a plan. It’s time to call in a few favors.

“George, it’s me. I need a favor.”

“Sure, kid. How can I help you?”

“I need some kickass sleeping tabs.”

“Do I want to know?”

I explain my situation to George over the phone. It’s a long conversation during which I put my faith in the man who was there at the start of this mess. Afterward, I drive over to the pharmacy to collect the knockout drops.

I packed a bag for myself and Angelo during the night. All that’s left to do is to pop a few drops into Paolo’s morning coffee and I’ll be home free. Oh, Lord, let this work. Please!

17

DANTE

“You need a few days' break, Dante. The other families are going to start thinking that you’ve got some sort of mysterious illness from the way you look.If your bottom lip grows any longer, you’re bound to trip over it.”

“I feel like crap, Elio. I miss my family and it seems that Mia is losing interest in the whole idea of coming to Rome.”

“Why do you say that?”

“It isn’t rocket science. Everytime we talk I feel as if she’s gone a few more steps backwards. I don’t know how much longer I can take this before I jump on the jet and drag her here by her hair.”

“Yeah, I’d like to see that. I told you, brother, women have their own way of doing things. Not to mention taking their time while doing whatever those things are. You need to take a break. Let’s go to the mountains for a few days.”

“And be miserable there?”

“No, you idiot. We’ll go to the ranch, saddle up the Caleberes, ride out for a few days, and camp under the stars. We haven’t done that since we were kids. Come on. It will be good for you. And honestly, I could use a break myself from all this wedding planning crap. I tell you, Dante, if I have to taste one more wedding cake sample, or see one more flower arrangement, I'm going to throw up.”

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