Page 34 of Blood and Penance
“What a pleasant surprise.” I step aside, so he can come in. Once he enters, I close the door behind him. “What are you doing here?”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Imagine my surprise when I received a call from Bishop O’Neil this morning, letting me know of your request. I would think you would come to me for council before you made such a drastic decision.”
I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. I should have known my request for a leave of absence wouldn’t take long to get around the Church. The clergy are worse gossipers than old women during Mass.
“Which is something he shouldn’t have told anyone about,” I say, defensively.
“I know this has something to do with that woman who has haunted you for years,” he says with so much venom in his voice I have to take a step back. “What are you thinking! She’s been nothing but a plague on your soul, Gianni!”
“You don’t know anything about her.”
“I know enough. She’s leading you back into the world, Gianni. You have to fight it. You are damning your soul to eternal fire, for a woman.”
“I’m protecting my family,” I say as calm as I can.
“She’s not your family. She’s nothing but a hinderance to your salvation. All it takes is her to show you a little bit of attention and you've already turned your back on God.”
“Listen, Father. I appreciate your concern for my soul, but there are things going on that I can’t discuss, but this is the right thing for me to do. You have to trust I know what’s best for me.”
“I don’t want you to give into temptation, Gianni. This woman has a hold on you that you can’t seem to break. You’re a priest, act like one.”
He doesn’t know how right he is. And at this point I’m not sure if I care anymore about being tempted by her. I feel complete withher. I haven’t felt that in a long time. Also knowing I have a son with the woman I love, I don’t see it as temptation but fate.
God has sent her back to me.
“Once again, I understand your concern, Father Giraldi. But this is my life. This is my walk with God, no one else’s, including you.”
He looks at me for a moment and I can see the disapproval all over his face. But I don’t care if approves or not. I’m a grown man and this is the right decision for me and my family.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” he says with disappointment in his eyes and lacing his voice.
“I do, even if you don’t believe me. I have to do what’s right for my family.”
He sighs again. “Bishop O’Neill has granted your leave of absence, but he still expects your letter within the next few days.”
I can’t explain the amount of relief that moves through my system.
“When will you leave?” he asks.
“As soon as possible."
Before he can respond, Phoenix rushes into the room and my heart thunders in my chest. “What’s wrong?” I ask, ignoring the look of disgust on Father Giraldi’s face when he sees her.
I’ve already told him everything he needs to know, so I don’t need to explain anything else.
“Seraphina’s not answering.” Her breathing is labored like she’s on the verge of having a panic attack. “I’ve called her over and over again, Gianni. She’s not answering.”
The frantic sound of her voice only causes my anxiety to rise. “Maybe she’s in the shower.” I say, trying to give her and me some type of reassurance even if I don’t believe the words I’m saying either.
She shakes her head as tears stream down her cheeks. “She always answers, Gianni. No matter what. Something’s wrong. I know it.”
“Okay. It’s going to be alright.” She collapses into my arms, her body convulsing with silent sobs. “Let me call, Lorenzo. We’ll need his help.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Phoenix
By the time we reach the home I purchased to hide from Lio, I already know something’s terribly wrong. I’ve tried calling Seraphina dozens of times and there’s no way she wouldn’t answer my calls. She knows how paranoid I am anytime I’m away from my son. I always keep in constant contact with her so I can check on Giancarlo. She never complains, and she always answers no matter what she’s doing.
