Page 182 of The One
“Will you come? I’ll send the jet for you.”
“Yes, of course,” she says immediately. “But I’ll get there faster on a commercial flight.”
“Tiero wouldn’t like that.”
“Tough luck. When have I ever listened to him?”
That makes me chuckle. It’s true. She’s always had a mind of her own and never hesitated to put my brother in his place.
“Ella, it’s not safe. I can’t risk something happening to you. Tiero would have my balls. At least on our plane, I know you’ll be safe.”
A beat of silence.
Then, softly, “What are his chances of a transplant?”
“Not good.”
My stomach feels like it’s lined with lead, nausea churning in my gut. For the first time, I understand how Mari was nervous enough to throw up on her wedding day.
Before I can spiral over how close I came to losing her to another man, Ella’s next words snap me back.
“Mateo. Tiero cannot die!” she all but yells. “You’re the fucking Mafia. You have ways to find him a lung.”
“We’re exploring every option, but time is running out. Please, just come. You might give him the will to hold on a little longer and pull through this.
“He’s in Rome. I’ll send the jet now. It should be there by morning. Be ready. I’ll call you.”
Not giving her room to argue, I hang up, exhaling a long breath.
“Is Ella really coming?” Rom asks.
“Yes. Maybe that’ll give Tiero enough reason to hang in there until we find a donor.”
“It might. Your brother would defy death for her.”
I turn to look at him, my gaze searching his. But he’s not mocking, there’s only sincerity. He gets it. He understands the depth of Tiero’s love for Ella.
And he’s right.
Tiero would conquer even death for the woman he loves.
And I’m starting to realize if it ever came down to it, so would I.
It’s a day later when Ella’s flight touches down in Rome. Santino and a crew of soldiers went to collect her at the airport and are bringing her straight here.
My phone vibrates.
Santino: About to arrive at the back entrance.
I glance at my brother. He’s sleeping, his breathing steady but weak.
God, let Ella be the answer. Let her be the reason he fights to stay alive.
Quietly, I step out of his room and head downstairs. As I exit the elevator, she’s already striding toward me.
Besides Santino and our soldiers, three unfamiliar people accompany her.
“Ella.” I greet her with a kiss on the cheek, relieved she’s finally here.
