Page 5 of Sandro

I shook my head. “Thank you, no.” I glanced down at the meal, which I would normally enjoy immensely. “I’m afraid I’ve just not had much of an appetite as of late.” That was true. Part of that was because of all of the blood that Master Vincent was requiring me to drink in order to help with my recovery. Another was because, as Rio had asked, I was still experiencing pain. I had talked to him about it in confidence, thankfully. I would most likely feel those knives entering my body for some time still, if not always. That was certainly not something anyone would ever look forward to if they had any sort of life expectancy, but when you were paranormal and it was possible that you would live for eternity, it was not something I desired.

“You’re quiet today,” Naldo said. “Are you feeling well?”

I smiled over at Naldo. “I’m feeling better than I did last week for certain.” That much was true. I did feel better every week. I had been rescued around six weeks ago, and although I wasn’t nearly as healthy as I had been before I’d been captured, I truly was doing better than I had been. “I apologize for my disconnect. I will work on being more present.”

Rio patted me on the shoulder. “I was actually going to suggest that since the four of you were planning on going to the Trevi Fountain with the babies, I thought that Sandro and I would hang back and do something around the apartment that didn’t require quite so much walking. We all know how taxing that can be at times, and I feel it’s best if he keeps things a bit more low-key still.”

A few months ago, I would argue with the younger warlock. Not today though. I knew he was not only concerned about me, but also that he wasn’t wrong in his suggestion. Coming to Rome hadn’t been my first choice of holiday spots. Where I was currently in my recovery, it would have been more ideal that I went somewhere quiet and secluded. A trip to Rome, especially since it was Abel’s first time here and he wanted to see all the sights, required more physical exertion than my body could currently sustain without multiple breaks.

“Oh,” Abel said, his voice full of disappointment. I sighed at the glare that I was receiving from Marcello for disappointing his beloved.

“I’m certain I can push through a trip to the fountain.”

Abel smiled, but that quickly changed again at Rio’s words. “No,” he said. “And you shouldn’t have to.” Rio glared at the others. “Sandro is here with everyone, and that should be enough. I will not go into detail about his recovery because that is his and his alone to share. But he is, in fact, still recovering. Every last one of you would still be healing as well if you had sustained the amount of damage that his body has.”

I placed my hand on Rio’s arm, and when he looked at me, I could see the anger? Frustration? I couldn’t quite tell.

“Thank you. It might be possible to join them at the fountain. If it becomes too much, I can always return to the apartment and rest.” I shouldn’t be alive. I should have died on that warehouse floor. It would have been for the best for everyone who knew me. I firmly believed that. Yet, because of Abel and Mazzi, I was still here. But especially Abel. Without him calling the created warlock, I knew for certain I would have died.

Rio broke into my thoughts with his next words. “It’s their holiday. You are here to join them and to rest while away from the others at the villa. This is supposed to be a recovery time for you. Not go and see all of the tourist sights.”

Mazzi seemed to pick up on things first. Or at least to be a bit more understanding. But he was also a warlock, and I’d learned recently that they could see colors of our auras, and I was certain he had noticed my aura’s colors changing since we’d been here. “I am more than capable of getting everyone out of a tight situation in a blink if needed,” he said. “Perhaps if Sandro is feeling up for it later, he’ll join us for one of the more relaxing trips.”

They had an entire itinerary planned and were going to see everything they could in the two weeks we were going to be here. I understood that while it was difficult for not only Marcello to get away, but for Marcello and Naldo at the same time, it had been quite the ask of the others in the coven. The only reason Rio was here with us was that he had the ability to pop back to the villa in Naples with just a hint of magic if needed. The hope was that his services weren’t going to be needed because if they were, that meant someone had been injured.

“That would be fun,” Abel said. “I’m sorry if I was expecting too much from you, Sandro. I thought you were already healed and were doing fine now. But I hate the thought of you being here and just hanging out in the apartment while we’re all having fun.”

I smiled at the little fox. “Physically, I am mostly healed. There are still some deep wounds that cause me pain at times,” I told him. “I lost a great deal of blood and remained that way for quite a bit of time. That hasn’t helped my progress. Some wounds had to be reopened and forced to heal more properly.” I smiled over at Marcello. “I very much would like to join everyone for the evening meal and the tour planned for the landmarks at night. But as much as I hate to admit it, Rio is right. The thought of doing all of that walking to the fountain and back is dreadful.” I absently rubbed my right thigh. I could still feel the blade sliding into it, and more often than not, I woke in the middle of the night covered in sweat and certain that I was back in that room with them while they were torturing me.

Marcello stared at me a moment before nodding subtly. “Understood. I, too, apologize for not realizing. We’ll take the babies to the fountain, get our pictures, make our wishes, and then see some more of the local spots.” Marcello stood. “We will be back midafternoon, most likely with sleeping babies who are down for afternoon naps.”

The others stood. “Luckily, Tulio will sleep anywhere,” Mazzi said.

“The babies won’t get too hot in their carriers, will they? Back home, everyone uses strollers.” Abel looked down at the cobblestone road. “But they’re definitely not going to be useable here.”

“We’ll make it work,” Marcello said. He had Luci in her carrier on his front and had been holding Frankie. Marcello helped get their son situated into his carrier that Abel was wearing, and once everyone was set, they waved and set off.

It wasn’t a long walk, but it was far enough that it would start to bother me if there were too many additional places that they decided to add to the trip after the fountain. And knowing Abel and Marcello’s inability to tell him no, I knew there would be more sights to be seen.

Since we were finished and the tab had been paid, Rio and I stood and started walking back toward the apartment. “Are you up for a short stroll? Perhaps just down to the main road, and then we can turn back?”

“I don’t feel as if that would be too much of a strain,” I said. We started walking, and I knew I needed to say something; I just didn’t know exactly what. “I appreciate your assistance with Marcello. He can be incredibly stubborn. Especially when it comes to his beloved.”

Rio chuckled. “I have already discovered that. It is understandable though.” We walked in silence for a few moments, and when we made it to the main road, I found a cart vendor that had a selection of fruits. I knew Abel was quite fond of them, and although I hadn’t joined them on the trip to the fountain, I was hopeful that finding some fresh fruits in the apartment would soften the disappointment.

I had just stepped out to cross the road when there was a loud shout from someone in the distance. I felt the impact of someone slamming into me on my right, and instinctively, my arm went around them as we started to fall to the ground. Only we never fell. I met Rio’s shocked expression before I managed to get my footing.

I was about to have some choice words for whoever had run into me when something completely unexpected happened. The most amazing scent surrounded me, and instead, I looked down into equally surprised brown eyes.

I took a breath to say something, only to realize what that scent actually meant. It was my beloved. My beloved had been the one to run into me.

“Leonardo! Ti cercano a casa!”

I didn’t think his eyes could become any larger, but at the sound of someone shouting, they had.

“Per favore. Non lasciare che mi portino via. Mi ammazzano.”

I wrapped my other arm around him and looked in the direction the voice had come from. Three men were approaching quickly, and I narrowed my eyes. Who were they, and why did the man in my arms think they were going to kill him if they took him away?