Page 105 of Don't Let Go

Tyler’s words tuned out as I focused on a voice in the distance. It sounded like my mamma but so light and fragile, like painted glass teetering on the edge after a wind storm.

“Mamma?” I shouldered past Franco and entered her room. It was dim, but I could make out her shape under the white sheet. She looked washed out in her face as if her skin hadn’t seen the sunlight in years, and her cheekbones stuck out more than usual.

“Fiore mio, come here,” she whispered, trying to wave me closer, but couldn’t use the full function of her left arm.

“Yes, Mamma?” I said, moving to her side. I took her hand in mine and fought back my tears. I wanted to feel my mamma’s warmth on my skin. Her touch always made me feel loved and safe, but now she felt like ice.

I rubbed my nose with the back of my hand. The more I fought my tears, the more they burned the back of my throat. “What happened?” I whispered.

“Marcos jumped me when I was finishing a job. He said it was revenge for what you did to Paolo and for taking Vincenzo’s life. Please tell me he’s wrong.” She squeezed my hand tight.

My teeth sank into my lip to stop its trembling. “I’m sorry. He needed to pay. I wasn’t thinking.” I hung my head in shame.

She grabbed my arm with her hand, pulling me closer. “I understand, but you’re so foolish.”

“Are you okay?” I asked, looking over at the IV drip to avoid the worry in her eyes.

“No permanent damage, I’ll heal. I’m more worried about you.” She tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “My fiore mio shouldn’t be out for blood.”

“Mamma, I snapped,” I said, sitting on the edge of her bed. “After seeing the police video, it confirmed what I believed and I—”

“You saw Paolo kill Lizzy. I know you miss her. God, I miss her so much.” She sobbed, taking a ragged breath. “You went too far.Mr. Dickson was looking for you. I tried to avert him the best I could.”

I gently lied down next to her. She moved over a little, making room for me.

Mamma played with my hair, twirling the ends around her slender fingers. “You need to get out of town. Once Italy gets word of this, I can’t save you.”

“No. I need to face this,” I said, hugging my mamma as tightly as I could without messing with her IV. “I know what Paolo is into. He’s the one betraying the mob with the Mexican cartel.”

She kissed my forehead. “Don’t do this. He’s blood. You’ll be sacrificing yourself for no reason.”

“Mamma, I have to.” I stood and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I’m not going to run and allow them to hurt anyone else I love. There is proof Paolo killed Lizzy, and there must be proof he’s a trader.”

“Aurora, I wish you’d take my advice, but if you must go, then please be careful.” She reached for her water cup with a shaky hand.

“Allow me,” I said, grabbing the cup and holding it for her so she could get a drink using the bendy straw.

“Trust me. I’ll be okay.” I put Mamma’s cup back on the table. “I love you, Mamma. I’ll come back to visit after I see them.”

Mamma kissed the back of my hand and then squeezed my fingers firmly. She looked up at me as if I had explosives tied to my chest, and the timer was down to the single digits. “I love you too, Fiore mio. Please, Lord, protect her.” She let me go and made a whimpering sound.

If I didn’t know any better, she was saying her final goodbye to me.

“I’ll come back,” I promised, opening the door to leave.

“I know,” Mamma replied, giving me a weak smile.

God, I prayed we weren’t lying through our teeth. Maybe I was a dead girl walking no matter what.

“What’s going on?” Tyler asked as soon as I closed her door.

I poked Tyler in the chest. “We’re going on a trip. You ready to meet the Phoenix branch of the Italian mob?”

Tyler looked around with wide eyes. “Shh! Do you want everyone to hear?”

“People don’t listen.” I looked around the hall. “Where did everyone go?”

“They said something about getting food.” He nodded toward the exit.

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