Page 194 of The One
I stare into the darkness. I know Mari is right, but part of me doesn’t want to accept that.
One thing is for sure. Whatever choice I make, there’s no undoing it.
And time is running out.
“I’ll talk to Tiero,” I tell Dr. Romolo as we step out of his office. We spent the early morning hours planning, arranging, and setting every last piece into place.
“He’ll give you the sign to go ahead.”
Santino stands beside me, silent but unwavering. He knows every step, every contingency. I trust him implicitly. He has access to resources, connections, and ways to get things done.
“And the woman?” I ask.
“She’s sedated in one of the side rooms. If Don De Marco agrees, she won’t feel a thing.”
I nod, my stomach twisting in knots.
The short walk to Tiero’s room is like trudging through quicksand.
The transplant team is already stationed nearby, waiting, their presence suffocating. No matter what Tiero chooses, they will be needed. The finality of it all is crushing.
Then I see Ella.
She’s walking toward me, her steps slow, unsteady. Her eyes are red, swollen, and drowning in grief. They lock onto mine, and my heart clenches. This is destroying her.
Tiero wanted to see me first. This is my only chance. My last opportunity to change his mind.
I step up to his bed, dragging a chair closer. His hand feels fragile in mine, but I grip it tightly, as if holding him here, anchoring him to life. I lean in, keeping my voice low.
“You told me the other night that you’re tired of this life. That there’s no point in going on if you can’t have Ella because she won’t be a part of the Mafia.” My voice is urgent, desperate. “You were wrong, Tiero. You can have it all. You can have the life with Ella you always dreamed of. The organs you both need are right next door. The transplant team is ready. One word from you and they’ll make it happen.”
His tired eyes search mine, but I don’t give him space to protest.
“At the end of it, they’ll fake both your deaths. It won’t be hard. Complications happen in this kind of surgery all the time. You’ll be taken to a clinic in Switzerland to heal. New identities. Offshore accounts. A life together with Ella, away from all of this. It’s done, Tiero. It’s waiting for you. You just need to say ‘Plan B’ to Romolo and it will happen.”
I take a steadying breath before adding, “Anybody who can’t be trusted will be taken care of. As you said, secrecy is paramount, so I won’t even ask you to tell me unless, down the track, you want to. Everything is in place. All you have to do is say the word.”
Tiero’s lips part slightly, his breath hitching. His eyes shine with unshed tears.
I stand, leaning over him, wrapping my arms around him like I used to when we were kids and he was my whole world. The weight of it all is unbearable.
“Please, Tiero,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Give me that hope. Please make the right decision.”
His arms tighten around me, weak but firm.
“Teo.” His voice is hoarse. “I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
My throat constricts.
“I know you,” he continues, his breath shallow. “You’re loyal to a fault, but think about what I told you the other night. Live for yourself. Not for the dreams of our ancestors. Promise me that.”
I squeeze my eyes shut as tears spill freely down my face.
“I love you,” he says, his voice cracking. “Never forget that. I love you. One way or another, we will meet again.”
I don’t let go. I can’t.
When I finally force myself to pull back, his face is a blur through my tears. My hands shake as I cup his jaw, memorizing him. This might be the last time I ever see him.
