Then, Now, Forever (Heartbeat #2)

by Teodora Kostova

  Beppe reached into his back pocket to grab another cigarette, but movement at the back of the restaurant caught his eye. Bingo. Francesco came out the back exit, alone, his suit jacket slung over his shoulder and his car keys dangling from his hand. He strolled across the parking lot without a care in the world.

  Rage poured through Beppe’s body. He quietly put the hood of his sweatshirt over his head, just in case there were any security cameras around. Swiftly, he stalked after Francesco. He needed to strike quickly and effectively; there was no time for fucking around. Any moment someone else might come out of the restaurant.

  Francesco never saw it coming. One second he was opening the car door, and the next he was slammed into it with enough force to rattle his brain inside his skull. He dropped his jacket and keys, and only barely managed to stay upright. Beppe got a grip on Francesco’s neck from behind and didn’t allow him to slump on the ground – they were just getting started. Beppe smashed his head into the car a few more times and then punched him in the kidneys. Francesco screamed in agony. He crumbled to the ground, blood flowing from a gash over both his eyebrow and his forehead. His nose was caved in and bleeding heavily, his left eye was swollen shut and already several shades of black.

  Good. Now you know what it feels like, you woman beating piece of shit.

  Beppe kicked him over and over again. He vented all of his anger, all of his hatred on this poor excuse for a man. Beppe was careful not to use his hands to punch him skin on skin because his knuckles would surely split open and bleed from the force of the impact. He didn't want to leave any evidence of his being here tonight. He continued to kick him viciously, getting ready to deliver the final blow to Francesco's skull.

  One that would most certainly kill him.

  With his foot suspended midair over groaning Francesco, Beppe stopped. He couldn’t do it. Not because he felt any compassion for the man who had ruthlessly beaten a woman –and Beppe was certain if he’d hit Gia, he’d probably abused many others – but because he wouldn’t be able to face Gia and admit to what he’d done.

  Beppe carefully lowered his foot, then knelt beside Francesco, whispering,

  “I 'm not going to kill you because you’re not worth it, you son of a bitch. Don’t make me regret it. Don’t make me come back.” Beppe stood abruptly. Keeping his head down, he quickly left Orchidea Nera’s parking lot. The attack lasted no more than five minutes but Beppe was extremely lucky no one had come out the back door. However, that could soon change and he needed to get away.

  ******

  “What are we going to do?” Gia asked, after she calmed down enough to speak. “We won’t be able to stop him. He’ll do it Lisa, he’ll kill him.” Adrenalin and panic helped Gia stand up and find the strength to discard her pajamas and pull some clothes on.

  “What do you think you're doing? We can't chase after him!”

  “The hell we can't, Lisa. I know Beppe, he is so enraged at the moment he will really do some damage, but Francesco is dangerous. Very dangerous. I can't let him hurt Beppe.”

  Gia went to find her bag and put her trainers on. Lisa followed closely behind. She was shaking her head to wordlessly emphasize what a bad idea this was. Once outside, they started walking to the main road where they could catch a cab. Gia spotted one driving slowly towards them and waved it over, giving the driver the address for ‘Orchidea Nera’. A few minutes the restaurant came into view as well as the chaos around it. A crowd was gathered and an ambulance and a police car were parked near the rear entrance. Their flashing lights created a strobe effect in the darkness and Gia felt the bile rising in her throat. She grabbed her stomach, doubling over as she started gasping for breath. She had to tell the driver to keep driving because she didn’t want to be seen here, but she couldn't get a word out.

  “Would you keep going, please,” Lisa asked the driver, and smiled politely. “Something's obviously going on and it’s closed. We’ll have to change our plans. Just drop us off at the corner of XX Setembre.” The driver nodded and the taxi sped by the restaurant.

  Gia, thankful Lisa had read her mind, found Lisa’s hand across the seat and squeezed it as a silent ‘thank you’. Her instinct told her the ambulance was for Francesco, not for Beppe, but what if it was wrong? What if it was Beppe? She had to find him. She had to see him with her own eyes. She had to know for sure he was fine.

  At their destination Gia nearly fell out of the taxi in her haste to get fresh air and calm down. Lisa paid the driver and joined her a few moments later. There were people all around them, strolling, laughing, chatting – all unaware of Gia’s internal panic.

  “Beppe’s apartment is not far from here. I'm going to go and see if he's home. I'll text you. Go home and get some rest, Lisa. I can’t apologise enough for what I put you through today.”

  “You don't need to apologise, Gia. That’s what friends are for. I just hope he’s OK. Text me the minute you see him!” Gia nodded before giving Lisa another brief hug and they parted ways.

  Gia all but sprinted towards Beppe’s apartment building. Breathless and panting, she entered the lobby, waving at the concierge without stopping for a chat as she usually did. She went directly to the elevator. The doors opened and Gia stepped in, pushing the number to Beppe's floor. She started rummaging through her bag to find the keys to Beppe’s apartment. As she pulled them out, a ping announced her arrival. Gia burst through the half open doors, and with trembling hands she turned the key in the lock and opened the door.

  The light in the living room was on. Good sign. Gia threw her bag on the sofa and rushed up the stairs to Beppe’s room two at a time. Entering his bedroom, Gia could hear the shower running in the en suite bathroom. Relief rushed through Gia, nearly bringing her to her knees.

  She didn’t attempt to open the bathroom door. Beppe never left the bathroom door unlocked, not since the time his dad had thrown him through the shower glass and poured bleach on him. It was an instinct as deeply ingrained in his brain as breathing.

  Gia went downstairs, fished her phone out of her bag and texted Lisa that Beppe was indeed home. She didn't say he was fine, because she didn’t know that yet, but if he was able to take a shower, he was probably physically all right.

  By the time Gia sent the message and got Lisa’s reply, the sound of running water had stopped. A few moments later Gia heard the bathroom door open and Beppe’s footsteps as he moved about his room getting dressed. She sat on the sofa waiting for him. What was she going to say? Was she mad he beat up Francesco? Hell no! She didn't care about that scumbag. He could drop dead for all she cared. But, she was mad because it might cause trouble for Beppe. Gia was sure he’d been careful not to leave any evidence – Beppe wasn’t stupid or impulsive, he did everything with uttermost care and calculation – but even if trouble didn't come from the police, it might come from Francesco. Or whoever else he had on a leash.

  Fear for Beppe was tearing her apart. She pulled her knees up to her chest in order to stop the shaking. She’d just got Beppe back, and they’d promised each other forever. She was not going to lose him.

  “Baby? What are you doing here?” Beppe asked gently, sitting next to her. Gia jumped, startled. She’d been so consumed thinking about Beppe's safety that she hadn’t even heard him come down. He was wearing a pair of black sweatpants and nothing else. His hair was wet and his skin still glowed from the shower. Gia scanned him all over, from his face through his hands to his chest to make sure he hadn’t sustained any damage. All his old scars were there, reminding her of everything he’d already been through, but she found no new wounds.

  “What am I doing here? Let me see...” She put her index finger to her lips, pretending to think, and immediately winced at the pain. That damn finger still hurt and she was always forgetting to keep it out of the way. “You run out of my house, declaring you're going to kill Francesco, and then when I go by ‘Orchidea Nera’ I see ambulances and police cars and a mass of people. It never occurred to you that I
might come looking for you?”

  Beppe was silent for a few heartbeats, but his eyes hardened as if preparing for battle.

  “I’m not sorry for what I did,” he declared flatly.

  “And what did you do exactly?”

  “I beat him. Badly. He’ll most likely spend some time in the hospital.” Beppe's eyes faltered under Gia's angry glare. “I didn’t kill him. But, he sure as hell deserved it,” he whispered.

  “You’re a fucking moron! Do you think I wanted you to do this?” Gia jumped off the sofa and started pacing, unable to stay still anymore. The reality of the situation was closing in on her and she needed to find a solution, fast, or Beppe was going to end up in a ditch.

  “Look at you Gia! He hit you! You have no idea how close I came to ripping his fucking head off! Nobody puts their hands on you. Nobody!”

  “He’ll know it was you. He’ll come after you, Beppe, he’ll...” Gia couldn’t finish her sentence because her heart became lodged in her throat. The anger she’d felt just moments ago subsided, but dread swiftly took its place. She dropped to her knees in front of Beppe and sobbed. At some point she was aware Beppe had wrapped his arms around her, but she was unable to reciprocate.

  “I can’t lose you...” she managed to say through her tears.

  “Shhh, it’s OK, honey. I’ll fix this. You are not going to lose me.”

  “How? How are you going to fix this? Even if you were careful, Francesco will know it was you. He’s crazy, Beppe. You should have seen him when he hit me.” Beppe stiffened, a growl rumbling in his throat. He gathered her even closer. “He’s not stupid if he can hide his true nature so well. I never suspected he was anything but calm, attentive, caring even. God, how could I have been so stupid!”

  “You’re not stupid, baby. You shouldn't need a psychology degree to date someone. Expecting them to be sane is a given.”

  Gia hiccupped as she laughed. The tears finally stopped. Beppe took a tissue and dabbed the dampness away. He cupped her face and met her lips softly. Gia allowed the love in his kiss to wash away her pain, but it could not dampen her fear.

  “We have to leave town until this blows over. Maybe if we’re not here for a few weeks and Francesco can’t find you, he’ll lose interest. I know he has much bigger problems than this right now. Besides, it will give us time to think of how to deal with this too.” said Gia, climbing into Beppe’s lap. He circled her waist with his arms and rested his head on her chest.

  “Wouldn’t it be more suspicious if we ran?”

  “We won't be running. We’ll be visiting Max. He’s been nagging me to go visit for weeks. Stella is feeling much better. I don’t have a job to worry about anymore, and you could call the university and tell them some really important family matter came up and you’ll need to take all your lectures and exams next semester. Tell them your grandfather died and as his only heir you need to deal with his affairs. That might convince them to give you a break.”

  Beppe nodded.

  “I think that would work,” he said and his gorgeous, sexy lips parted into a full blown grin. “When do we leave?”

  “Day after tomorrow?” Gia smiled back, the tightness in her heart slowly easing

  “We’re going to London, baby!”

  “Yes, we are.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

  “Welcome aboard this EasyJet flight from Milan, Linate to London, Gatwick. My name’s Paul Norman and I’ll be your captain today. The flight should take an hour and forty minutes and...” The captain continued talking, but Gia’s mind drifted away. She kept reliving the horrifying events that had taken place just a few days ago. She touched her face absentmindedly remembering her attempts to cover the bruises with make-up. Even though some of the bruising and swelling had gone down, it still was a hard job to do. It didn’t look as frightful as a bare face, but all the foundation in the world couldn’t hide all of it.

  When they'd called Max to let him know they’d be coming to London, he was a bit confused at the short notice. Stella took the phone from him and assured them it was no problem, but Gia knew her brother suspected there was some ulterior motive to their visit. Gia didn’t tell him he was right or about what had happened with Francesco and Beppe.

  Max’s reaction when he saw his sister’s bruised face was not something she was looking forward to.

  “Would you like something to drink, sir?” a flirtatious feminine voice brought Gia back. They were already high in the sky and the air hostess was offering refreshments. This particular hostess however was fluttering her fake eyelashes at Beppe with open invitation. Gia could feel the breeze from where she was sitting.

  “Yeah, can I have a coke, please,” Beppe said, giving her his magazine cover smile. “Would you like something, cara?” he asked turning to Gia.

  “I’m fine,” Gia said a bit too forcefully. “But thank you for asking,” she added and, for the tramp’s benefit, gave Beppe a soft, lingering kiss on the lips. She glanced in the hostess’ direction right before she pulled back. Beppe gave her a genuinely pleased grin and paid for his coke. When the refreshments cart had moved down the aisle, Beppe leaned into Gia to whisper,

  “I love it when you’re jealous.” His warm breath tickled her ear and she involuntarily shivered.

  “I'm not jealous,” she said and turned to look through the window.

  “Babe.” She couldn’t help but turn around at Beppe’s soft voice. They were alone in the whole three seats, but he still spoke quietly. “You know you don’t have to be, right? You are the only woman I want.”

  Gia nodded. She knew it deep inside – in her heart, in her soul. She saw it in Beppe’s eyes and believed it. But still, she could feel the ugly claws of jealousy tearing into her mind when another woman so obviously wanted her man. Beppe was gorgeous – no hot blooded female could resist him. Gia was sure they were all imagining him naked, and there was no way to change that. His swagger, his smile, his eyes – they were all things other women would always find attractive in Beppe, but that didn’t mean he’d ever take advantage of it again.

  Intellectually, Gia knew that. But on a very basic, primitive level she wanted to claw their eyes out and slap a huge ‘he’s mine, back off bitches’ sign on his chest. And his back.

  Definitely on his back.

  “Babe?”

  Gia realised she’d drifted off and never replied to his question. “I know, Beppe. But I can’t help staking my claim on you. That skank was mentally licking your abs and I can’t have that.” Gia let her lips curl into a smile and Beppe followed her lead.

  “Well, she can only imagine it, while you can actually do it,” he said and raised an eyebrow suggestively.

  “Indeed I can.”

  Beppe reached out across the empty seat to take Gia's hand in his, entwining their fingers. She sighed softly and let her head fall back against the seat, closing her eyes.

  “What the Hell happened to your face?” Max raged the second he saw them. His hazel eyes were flashing dangerously and Gia could see he was barely containing his fury at seeing her injuries. The scene would have attracted much more attention if Stella hadn’t placed her hand in his and whispered something in his ear.

  Max clenched his jaw, pursed his lips into a pale thin line and yanking Gia’s suitcase handle away from her, strode towards the parking lot without another word.

  “Hi, welcome to London!” Stella said and she gave each of them a brief hug before they all turned to follow a fuming Max. Beppe managed to catch up to him and they walked together in front of the girls.

  “Hi, cara, you look great. I’m so happy for you,” Gia told Stella as she tried to walk as fast as possible without twisting her ankle.

  “Thanks,” Stella said and smiled that cute, warm smile of hers. “I’m so happy you’re here. We’re going to have so much fun!” Her eyes twinkled with excitement and Gia couldn't help but beam back.

  “That’s after we manage to calm the Hulk down, right?”

 
“Yeah. Definitely after that.”

  They laughed and attracted Max’s attention as he turned over his shoulder and glared at them. The ride to Stella’s house took about an hour and it was pure torture. Gia had refused to tell Max the whole story, as he’d insisted, because she was afraid he might run them off the road in his anger. So instead they kept the conversation light, while Max gripped the steering well so tightly Gia swore it was going to come off in his hands.

  The moment they wheeled their suitcases inside Stella’s house and the door closed behind them, Max growled,

  “Start talking!”

  “Jesus, Max! Let them take a breath! Let me show you to your room... Are you staying in one room? ‘Cos we have two spare rooms but only one of them is a bedroom. The other one is used as an office by my mum....” Stella rambled and didn’t even flinch under Max’s icy stare.

  “One room’s fine, Stella, thanks,” said Gia and could just feel the heat rushing to her face. What was she – a school girl? She’d slept in Beppe’s bed hundreds of times and now she was blushing?

  “Are you together now? Like, fucking and everything?” Max asked incredulously.

  “Max!” Stella shouted and looked at her boyfriend as if she wanted to lock him in the closet so that he’d stop talking. Gia glanced at Beppe who had furrowed his eyebrows and she could tell he’d just about had enough of Max’s attitude. Stella stepped closer to Max and held his hand, her eyes softening. “I know you’re concerned about your sister, baby, I am too. But let them settle in and take a breather, OK? They’re not going anywhere. You can cross-examine them later.”

  Max held his hands up in defeat and stalked out of the living-room in the direction of, what Gia guessed, was the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry guys, he’s just worried,” Stella said, turning her attention back to them. They both waved Max’s attitude off and she continued, “Let me show you to your room then. Make yourself at home – you can use all the drawers and the wardrobe, and I’ve put some clean towels in the dresser by the bed. Unfortunately, only the master bedroom has an en suite, so you’ll have to use the shared bathroom, but don’t worry, you won’t have much competition. My mum goes out to work early and comes back late, and she normally doesn’t take long in the bathroom anyway, so you’ll be fine.” Stella continued to talk about the living arrangements as they all went up the stairs to their room.