Page 4 of Sandro

I would need to spend a good portion of the day walking, and since I had limited funds and no water bottle to refill, I needed to get started before it became truly hot this afternoon. I was lucky that I’d thought enough to put not only my phone in my pocket this morning but my wallet as well, but I knew that everything else I owned aside from what was in my bag in the locker not far from the train station was lost to me.

I looked around, picked a direction, and started walking. The thing about Rome was that there was no direct way across the city. I just needed to get to the train station to get my bag from the luggage locker, and then I could purchase a ticket out of here. I had all of my savings, my papers, my pictures I had of me and my parents, and exactly three sets of clothing in my bag. That was enough to start out somewhere as far away from here as I could get. I was going to be sleeping in questionable places for a bit, but in the end, it would be worth it.

I started walking, having to duck into a shop when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I had long ago learned to trust those instincts, and more than once, it had saved me in many ways. I watched as more familiar faces from the pride house walked by, sometimes talking on the phone, others just walking around scouting the area. They were looking for me. News had already spread, and Alpha Franco had put out that those who were available were to look for me.

“Do you need assistance?” a sweet lady asked.

I shook my head. “I was looking for a water bottle. I forgot mine,” I said with a smile.

“We don’t sell them. Three doors down though.”

I nodded. “Grazie.” I peeked out the door again, saw that it was hopefully clear, and left the shop. I glanced to my left, then right, and decided that perhaps straight ahead was the better choice. It would possibly get me away from an area that seemed to be heavily concentrated with those from the pride who were looking for me.

I left the shop and took note of everyone around the immediate area. I didn’t see any faces that I recognized from the pride immediately, but that didn’t mean they weren’t just out of my sight. I spotted a tour group that was on one of those self-guided tours with the headphones on and quickly made my way over to join their group. I smiled at them as I slowed my pace to merge with them for a moment, and then when we made it to a clear alley that would take me to the next block over, I separated and took off down the alley. If I could even get to a bus stop, I could get away a bit quicker.

It was possible that those looking for me were expecting me to be close to the pride house with as quickly as I fled. Hopefully, having been somewhat planning on leaving, albeit not nearly this soon, was going to work in my favor.

At the end of the alley, I found myself in another, although this one was wide enough for carts to get through. The cobblestone road was lined with umbrella-covered tables and chairs and the scents of all of the wonderful foods that the various cafes and restaurants had to offer. My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I’d not gotten breakfast this morning. Sadly, not only did I not have the funds to splurge on food, but I couldn’t take the risk. The possibility of someone from the pride finding me, even over here, was too great a risk.

With that in mind, I turned right and started walking.

Chapter 3

Sandro

Ihad been to Rome many times in my lifetime. Never before had it been without Vitto. I heard a giggle and turned my head at the sound. There was no way I could stop the smile that automatically came to me anytime I looked at Abel. He was…unexpected. He was the complete opposite of Marcello, yet at the same time, they were perfect for one another. Abel brought life into the coven. He added a level of happiness that we’d never experienced. And I knew that I owed my life to the little fox shifter.

Without Abel, I would no longer be alive. I knew this, as did everyone else in the coven. There were days, nights mostly, that I was upset that I had been found in time and saved. More giggles, these accompanied by a high-pitched squeal and then babbling, drew my attention from morbid thoughts to the trio of babies that were on the floor of the apartment we had rented for our holiday.

Tulio was just under four months and could sit up with a pillow behind him, albeit a bit unstable still, and he found everything exciting. Naldo and Mazzi were completely taken with their son and his game of toss the toy after chewing on it first. But it was actually Marcello and Abel’s twins who were making all of the noise. The twins were just under three months old now, and although they weren’t much younger than Tulio, they were both happy to be on their backs, staring up at some bright-colored toy that had things dangling down. With every kick, the toys moved, which caused more squeals. Which, in turn, caused even more noise when they discovered it was their own voices that were making the sounds.

I turned back to the window and stared out at Rome. We were going to one of the many tourist sites now that the babies were all awake from their nap, and I would put on another smile and pretend that I wished I were anywhere but here. Not that I’d been given a choice about things. I was told by Master Vincent that I needed to get away, that my near-death experience was no reason to remain locked away in my suite of rooms at the coven house. Of course, he’d sent me on holiday with the two mated couples and their children.

I sighed internally. I held nothing against them and their happiness. I was thrilled for both Naldo and Marcello. But I didn’t see why I needed to be here with all of their family happiness. I didn’t have a beloved, and I no longer had any desire to find mine.

“What do you think, Sandro?”

I looked toward Abel and blinked a few times. “Mi scusi?”

Abel’s smile never faltered. “I asked if you were up for going down to the little cafe that is across the alley? We haven’t had lunch yet.”

I nodded as I met Marcello’s gaze. I found him scowling at me, but when he noticed I was looking at him, his facial expression cleared.

“Lunch sounds like a good plan,” I told Abel. “There are many places nearby to choose from.” I would go, I would eat, I would play along with the others and act as if I were enjoying my time here in Rome. In reality, I could not wait to return to Naples, where I had already started my plans to leave the coven. Master Vincent had been incredibly understanding, but it was to the point that I could no longer stand the looks of pity from the others. I was certain they didn’t realize they did it, but I saw the glances before they were able to mask their expressions.

“Apologies for being late,” Rio said as he came into the room.

I turned and offered a smile to Rio. He was an amazing doctor. One who was quite a bit younger than I was, but he was so much more capable than I was simply because he was a warlock and I was a vampire. I did not have the same abilities that he did.

“You’re not late, Rio,” Marcello said. “We were just discussing going to one of the cafes not far from here to enjoy some lunch.”

“That sounds like a great plan,” Rio said.

I nodded along with the others and was quite surprised at how quickly everyone got themselves and, more shockingly, the children ready to leave. Within minutes, we were walking out the door. There were several different cafes just outside the door of the apartment we were renting for the holiday, but it seemed as if Abel knew exactly which one he wanted to eat at as he walked directly to it once we were outside.

We sat at an outside patio table, and although the weather was lovely, I couldn’t seem to enjoy the meal as much as the others were. I went through the motions of eating, but it was Rio who once again noticed I wasn’t nearly as engaged as I should be. He leaned close before asking, which I was thankful for.

“Are you in pain? Do you need help?”