She finished on the toilet, washed her hands, brushed her teeth, and stared at her reflection. She looked defeated.
Lifting up the shirt, she stared at her reflection, at the gunshot wound from months ago.
Thinking about the sounds of bullets, she closed her eyes, flinching as she saw Rachel’s dead body. A hole in the side of her neck where her throat should have been.
Dropping her shirt, she stepped back from the mirror and went in search of Vincenzo.
He was standing in the kitchen, frying bacon.
“I heard you get up,” he said. “Did you sleep well?”
“You knocked me out.”
“I didn’t hit you.”
“How did you do it then?”
“I cut off your air supply enough for you to lose consciousness. Then I guess you fell asleep.”
“She’s dead.”
“Yes.”
“Why did they start shooting?” she asked. “I don’t understand why they did that. Everything was fine. They were going to leave.”
“They wanted to start a war. It’s what they do. Rachel got caught in the crossfire.”
“I should have made her leave with me. I should have left and made her leave and the people and I should have done something.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered what you did, Arika. They were going to cause trouble there. It’s why they went fully loaded. They were going to shoot up the place.”
“Why?”
“Because they could. Because that’s what the Vitales do.”
“They were asking about you,” she said.
“What?”
“They asked if a blond-haired man and black-haired man had been there. Described your suits.”
“They were looking to leave their mark.”
She wrapped her arms around herself.
He stepped closer, coming toward her. She didn’t pull away as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I didn’t want this to happen to you. I know you’re angry and upset, and I’m so sorry you had to see that last night.”
She couldn’t hold back. Hugging him close, she held onto him, not wanting to let him go. “I was so afraid.”
“I know.”
“Are you angry with me?”
“No. I’m not angry with you. I failed you last night. I should have been there, and I wasn’t.”
“It’s not your fault. What’s going to happen now? The diner, the people, what?”
“Galiza has people within the police force. They’re going to take care of it. The people that were hurt will get compensated, but it will be known as another gang war gone wrong.”
“It’s crazy to think what’s going on.” She pulled away, gripping his shirt.
“You won’t be going back to the diner.”
She tilted her head back, looking at him. “Last I saw there wasn’t much of a diner.” She bit her lip. “I can’t stop seeing her.”
“It’ll get easier.” He ran his hands up and down her arms.
“What happens now?”
“Well, this isn’t over.”
“What do you mean?”
“You called when I was dealing with business. Last night I told my boss that I was seeing you. He wants to meet you.”
“He does?”
“Yes.”
“Does that have to happen?”
“It really does,” he said.
She closed her eyes and took another deep breath. “You don’t do things by halves, do you?”
He took hold of her hands, clasping them together. “I realized something last night. I had a feeling that it was that way, but I didn’t know for certain until there was a risk that you could die last night.”
“This is really not romantic.”
“I realized that I love you, Arika.”
As far as revelations go, this one was right up there. She was shocked.
“You love me?”
“Yes. I love you, and I know that if anything was to happen to you, the street wouldn’t be able to handle the kind of war I would create to seek justice for your death.”
“I’m not dead.” She was still reeling from the fact he loved her. “I … you love me?”
“Yes. More than anything else in the world. When all of this is over, I’m going to marry you. A good man would walk away. He’d let you have a life that you deserve. I’m not a good man. I can’t walk away. I want you to myself, and I don’t want to share you with anyone.”
“Shouldn’t you get down on one knee? Propose properly?”
“Soon. I will soon.” He kissed her cheek. “You need to eat something.”
He pulled out a chair, patting the seat. She sat down as he went to serve their food.
“What did you mean when you said about this all being over? It’s not over?”
“No. I’ve got to deal with some business first. After we’ve eaten breakfast I’m taking you to Galiza’s home. There you will be safe while I deal with some of the work I need to do.”
She didn’t like the sound of that.
Staring down at the plate of food, heavy with bacon and eggs, the thought of eating made her feel sick.
“You’ve got to eat something, babe. I need you to be strong for me right now.” He took hold of her hand, and she stared at his.