Page 147 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
I can’t remember if I’ve even said I’m sorry. I am. I’m so fucking sorry. If we were having a conversation in person, I imagine you would ask me what I’m sorry for. The list of my wrongs is long, and writing them down will be painful, but it has to be done. I’ll write them one day at a time.
I’m sorry I didn’t give you the comfort you needed after Polo’s attack. In truth, it was far easier for me to lose myself in fantasies of vengeance instead of being there for you. When you called me from the castello and told me what had happened, I learned the meaning of fear for the very first time. Knowing that you were in danger while I was hundreds of kilometers away and unable to physically help you was excruciating. I couldn’t take a proper breath until I caught my first glimpse of you here, safe with your brother and sister-in-law, and when I did, I think some part of me rebelled at the thought of ever going through something like that again.
I told myself I was doing the right thing by pushing you away. The world will be a better place without Sal Gallo in it. But of course, Sal will be gone one way or another, and I understand now that I don’t need to be the one to do it. Killing him won’t fix my problems. No, I have to do something far more difficult to accomplish that. I have to look at the man I am and face the demons that have caused me to make so many mistakes when it comes to you.
Giorgio
I reread the letter twice before I carefully fold it and slide it back in the envelope. My heart is racing. I’m sweating. I get off the floor and wring my hands, unsure of what to do with myself.
That felt…honest.
Scarily so.
Giorgio’s not good at talking through his emotions, but apparently, he’s more than capable of explaining himself in writing.
The thought of his terror at knowing what was happening to me and being too far away to help softens me. Of course I knew he was worried. I heard it in his voice over the phone, but terror is an altogether different emotion. It’s reserved for mere humans like myself, not someone like…
Ah, yes. I guess beneath that handsome face, fine suit, and facade of permanent control, he’s made of the same stuff I am.
The stuff that makes us human.
And humans do stupid things when they’re terrified. I know that better than most.
I eye the two other letters on the floor, equal parts curious and apprehensive. What else will he apologize for? How else will he soften the hurt?
Puffing out my cheeks, I blow out a breath and decide to wait before I read the next one. I don’t think I can handle another one right now.
I take a bath, and when I come out, Vale is back in my room. She’s sitting on the edge of the bed.
She flicks her gaze up to me from her phone, and I immediately know something’s happened.
I hurry to her. “What is it?”
Her eyes are wide and worried. “They all just left. Dem, Ras, Giorgio.”
My stomach falls. They left without saying goodbye.
“They—”
“They’ve gone to finish Sal.”
Oh God.What if something happens? Dem will be well defended, but what about Giorgio?
Blood stalls inside my veins, turning my body icy cold. The idea of never seeing Giorgio again hits me like a truck, and it’s unbearable.
He has to return.
I sink down on the bed beside Vale and bury my face in my palms.
CHAPTER37
GIORGIO
The terrain isrough in this part of Caserta. We drive for a long time over a bumpy dirt road before turning onto a highway dotted with potholes. We’re about fifty kilometers from the location of one of Sal’s safe houses. Calisto sent De Rossi a tip that Sal will be spending the weekend there with about thirty guards. With Calisto’s help, I was able to hack into the cameras and determine their positions, so the two cars full of De Rossi’s soldiers driving ahead of us will clear most of them before we even arrive.
I eye Ras’s hands on the wheel of the Mercedes—hand actually. He’s using his other one to type out a text, only half-paying attention to the road.
“Hands on the wheel or let me drive.”
