“That’s the thing. There’s no way they would go back to their house. It’ll take time to search through street cameras to find his car, then things get complicated from there. Who knows where they went? Who knows how they got there? They could technically be anywhere. Of course, I can do it. It’ll take some time though.”
“Then start working on it! I’ll go tell Geno what’s happened while El calls people canceling the wedding. El, can you do that without taking twenty minutes per phone call?”
“Debatable, but I’ll try.”
I walk off, hunting down Geno as my heart races, envisioning his response when I tell him that for a second time, a Leone man has let the Miani debt disappear.
Chapter 45
Luci
Wedding Day
We drive through the night, the entire next day, and well into the next night. I’m in the car with Nonno then Mamma is driving her car with Nonna. I have no idea where we’re headed, but the city has turned into the country, leading us through the northern Midwest. We finally pull onto a dirt road and stop at a farmhouse lit with the lights on the porch and from inside.
“Where are we?” I don’t know anyone who would live here. Everyone I’ve ever met lived in or near Philadelphia.
“We’re in Wyoming. A safe place. A place he will never find you, find us.” Nonno would never tell me he’s afraid, but theseriousness on his face with a twinge of sadness in his eyes tells me everything he doesn’t say.
A figure in the distance catches my attention as it approaches. Their features come into focus when they open the passenger door and offer me a hand. My heart sinks when I see who it is.
“Hello, Luci. You’re more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” The boy I knew in high school with shaggy blond hair, golden eyes that still shine when he speaks to me, and a young face. I can’t believe he’s standing in front of me.
“Oh my God, Elio. How? When? Why? What?” Apparently, I can’t form a sentence at the shock of seeing him after all these years.
“Luci, let me explain. Aldo found out we were dating. When things went too far, he said we needed to break up. You needed to stay pure, and Aldo said I was a distraction. I didn’t want to hurt you, but Aldo was right, things went too far. I couldn’t handle being physically close to you, yet not having you as my own. When my great-aunt died, she left me this property. I took it as a sign to move out here after high school and escape. I promise I never stopped loving you. I know what happened, and I’m here to protect you.” Tears blur my vision when I think of the boy who broke my heart seven years ago, now a man standing in front of the passenger door.
Nonno walks over, leaning over to Elio, and whispering loud enough that I can still hear him. “There’s a larger problem, one Stella and Caterina don’t know about yet. Let’s go inside and we can figure it out.”
A problem. My problem. Of course, I’m the problem.
“Give me your hand, Luci. Let me help you.” Without looking at him, I place my hand in his and he helps me get out of the car.
I don’t know if I’m sad, shocked, angry, confused. Maybe all of them. I reach to fiddle with my engagement ring when I realize Itook it off before taking the test. The stupid ring I didn’t want to begin with.
I reach up to mess with my necklace, but it doesn’t give me the same solace it normally does.
Elio notices my panic and embraces me. His hug is gentle and affectionate. The type of hug every girl wants, well, I guess every girl except me. Alessandro has never hugged me, but he has held me close. When he does, it’s rough but not aggressive. It’s passionate and sensual, the type of embrace I now crave. My shoulders shake as I weep, and Elio continues to hug me. He must think I’m crying because of the situation. In reality, I’m heartbroken about leaving Alessandro, the man I love.
“Come with me. Your family is inside and we can talk about everything. I’m here for you, Luci. I never wanted to leave you and I was so cruel in the way I did it. I want to make it up to you. This time around, I can promise you mind, body, and soul that I will be the man you deserve. You know that, right?” My mouth can’t speak, and all I manage to do is nod. Elio is a good man and I know he would be good to anyone he cares about and right now, that’s me.
Elio interlocks his fingers with mine while we walk into the house. Nonno is sitting, disappointed, while Mamma and Nonna share a look before focusing on me. Mamma is trying to put a mental puzzle together, preparing herself for the worst while Nonna is trying to stay strong for her family.
“Luci, do you want to tell everyone the mess you’re in or should I?” Nonno stares at me, waiting for an answer, but instead, I press my lips together while I shake my head back and forth, tears finally falling.
“La mia dolce nipotina. What’s wrong?” Nonna grabs my face gently between her hands, wiping away my tears. “Tell us, honey.”
“I-I can’t. I don’t want to. Please don’t make me say it.”
“Damnit, Luciana!” Nonno rarely raises his voice, and everyone in the room knows when he does, it’s serious. “She’s pregnant.”
Nonna is still holding my face as she brings my eyes back to her. “Luci, is this true?”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.” A mix of emotions surrounds the room when I stare at their faces. Anger in Nonno’s face, disappointment in Mamma’s, sadness in Nonna’s, and shock in Elio’s eyes. Elio is the first one to speak up.
“He must have made her. There’s no way Luci would have let this happen. Tell me that’s how it happened.” His kind, hopeful eyes bore into me, waiting for the answer I refuse to give.
Mamma shares next, obviously not surprised this happened. “She let this happen. We ran into each other in a restaurant and I knew she slept with him. I wanted more for you.” That breaks my heart and I wish she would have said she’s not mad, just disappointed. That would have been better.
