“I’ll show you if you untie me.”
“No tricks unless you want to end up like him,” he said, motioning toward Georgio.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the stone.
“Santa Madre di Dio,” Paolo gasped, taking it from my hand.
“That’s the Medici diamond?” I muttered.
“Sì. It is the most valuable in the world. Worth twice as much, at least, than the Hope Diamond. It could bring in seven or eight hundred million dollars. More perhaps.” He looked up at me. “And it’s all mine.” His smile was pure evil, like it had been earlier on the terrazza.
“Yours? Don’t you mean ‘ours,’ my love?”
My head spun around like Paolo’s did. Standing only a few feet from us was Gabriella, although now she looked more like the woman I’d met in the lobby of the London hotel—Donnatella.
“Of course that’s what I meant,” said Paolo, rising to his feet.
“Stay where you are!” she yelled, pointing the gun in her hand at him.
“But—”
“Shut up, or I’ll kill you first.” She motioned with her gun. “Toss it over here.”
Perhaps knowing she’d kill him no matter what, Paolo raised his gun instead. I squeezed my eyes closed and prayed to the Holy Mother of God, Santa Madre di Dio. I knew that when I died, my baby would too. “Please forgive me, Mylos.” I heard the popping sound and waited. I could feel Paolo still beside me. I opened one eye.
“Drop the gun, Paolo,” I heard someone say.
I looked over my shoulder and saw three guns pointed in our direction but aimed at Paolo.
When he moved his hand just slightly, I knew he was going to fire. I slammed my body against his and then rolled away as fast as I could. At the same moment, I heard the guns fire. I squeezed my eyes shut again, only opening them when I felt Mylos’ arms around me. He lifted me up, and I buried my face in his shoulder, not wanting to see.
He held me in his arms, carrying me out of the caves, past Donnatella’s lifeless form, past where Paolo had killed Georgio.
28
Grinder
I didn’t take her inside, I carried her down the stone walkway that led from the caves to the villa, and then all the way down to the farmhouse. I ignored her protests, telling me to put her down, until she finally gave up and rested her head on my shoulder.
I carried her through the front door and up the stairs, finally setting her down on our bed. She laid her cheek on the pillows, and I rested mine above her belly. Her fingers stroked my hair as I stroked the place where our baby grew inside her. And both of us cried.
My mobile remained silent throughout the night, for which I gave my thanks to Rile. Tomorrow would be soon enough for us to debrief.
Pia was still asleep when I heard the front door ease open. I pulled on my joggers and crept from the room in time to catch a glimpse of Countess Maria walking into our kitchen.
“Buongiorno,” I said, walking in behind her.
“Oh, Mylos!” she put her hand on her heart. “You startled me. Buongiorno. How is my daughter?”
“Sleeping peacefully. What do you have there?”
She opened the basket she’d carried in and took out fruit and pastries—the same breakfast Pia and I shared almost every day.
“The baby?”
“There are no signs that there’s anything wrong.”
She closed her eyes, crossed herself, and looked up at the ceiling. I knew exactly how she felt.