Someone lives here, goddamnit! This is not a museum!
Lisa shook her head to dispel her rampant emotions before she either cried or damaged the property. Hoping she’d managed to cover her wound and the bandages under her sweater, Lisa walked to Gino, sitting on the wide window sill just like every time she came here. It was too cold today for their usual walk to the lake, so she picked up the sketch book and the pencils she kept there and started drawing, before she spoke.
“Hey, Gino,” she said and glanced at him. His dark hair was getting too long now, curling around his face and down his neck. He needs a haircut, she thought.
Yeah, right. That’s his biggest problem. A haircut. Not the fact that he refuses to try walking again or talk or live.
His blue eyes didn’t move away from the view outside and he didn't acknowledge Lisa’s presence at all. But Lisa knew that – she’d been coming here to see him at least two times a week for the last six months, and he’d never, not once, looked her way. She wanted to talk to his doctors, ask them if he talked to them, if he’d started physical therapy, if there was any change in his behaviour. But she couldn’t – she wasn’t a family member and that information was confidential.
Lisa sighed, resigned to sketching in her notebook. She started chatting to Gino about random stuff like the students in her art class, a book she’d finished reading this past week and the strange woman on TV who claimed to have seen Michael Jackson’s ghost. Lisa tried to keep her monologue as far away from the events of the last two days as possible. She settled comfortably on the window sill, tucking the cushion she’d put there a while ago under her bottom and putting her legs up so that her back rested on the window frame and not on the cold glass. The pencil she was using needed sharpening and Lisa stretched her arm to get her pencil case and look for the sharpener.
A sudden intake of breath followed by a gasp froze her in place. When Lisa slowly turned her head to look at Gino, his beautiful eyes were focused on her for the first time. Lisa didn’t know if she should jump for joy, throw herself into his arms or remain motionless. Her heart was thudding in her chest and she couldn’t look away from Gino’s angry gaze.
Wait! What? Why was he angry?
Lisa looked around, searching for the reason behind his anger and her eyes landed on her arm. When she’d tried to reach her pencil case, the sweater sleeve had ridden up her arm and the whole gruesome glory of her bandages and deep red wound were in plain sight.
Shit.
“What the hell happened to your arm?” Gino asked and Lisa almost fell off the window sill.
******
“Giuseppe?” Sergio’s strong, authoritative voice sounded in Gia’s ear.
“No, Sergio, it’s me, Gianna.” Gia had found Beppe’s phone under the coffee table – he’d probably been so worried about her that he’d dropped it and run out the door. The first thing she did was to delete Francesco's text – it was from an unknown number and Gia was certain the police wouldn’t be able to trace it even if they found out about it. It didn’t prove Francesco's involvement anyway. The second thing she did was call Sergio. She was hoping he’d be able to help her.
“Is everything OK, cara?” Worry seeped into Sergio’s voice and emotion swelled in Gia’s chest, creating a lump in her throat.
“No, it’s not, Sergio. Francesco Naldo had Beppe shot and left him to die on the street while he abducted me and made me watch the whole thing on a video feed.” Gia sniffed and tried to hold back her tears.
A string of foul words erupted from Sergio’s mouth.
“Apologies, cara. Dio mio, figlio di puttana! I looked into him like Beppe asked and found he owes a lot of people money, but there was nothing about him being violent. I was just about to call some friends, and try to put a leash on him so that he wouldn't bother you again. Had I known he would...” Sergio’s voice broke and Gia heard him crying. She replayed what she’d told him seconds ago and realised Sergio thought Beppe was dead.
“Sergio, Beppe's not dead. But he is in critical condition at the hospital. They fitted him with a pacemaker because one of the bullets damaged his heart.”
“Thank God!” Sergio exhaled in relief.
“Sergio, there’s something else.” Gia told him everything about Francesco – the previous assault on her, how Beppe had beaten him up, how Francesco had threatened to harm them and their friends if the police found out about any of this.
“Don’t worry, cara, I’ll take care of this,” Sergio said when Gia finished her story. “I’ll put Silvio on the next flight. He’ll protect you and Beppe until we figure out what to do, OK?”
The next morning, there was still no change in Beppe’s condition – Gia had called the hospital when they hadn’t called her. They assured her that no change was good news and if he stayed stable for twenty four more hours, he’d be transferred to the recovery unit. Gia managed to convince Lisa to go home and get some proper rest, despite her friend’s protests.
Silvio Salvatore knocked on Gia’s door at around 10:00 am, looking tired but well put together. She invited him in and tidied up her old room for him. They talked – Gia told him everything she’d already told Sergio – and even though Silvio avoided all her questions about what he planned to do about Francesco, she found strange comfort in this man she barely knew.
They ate the sandwiches Gia made for them and drank some coffee, and after that Silvio said he had some errands to run. Gia was too afraid to ask what kind of errands. She instinctively knew Sergio had probably instructed Silvio to do something to Francesco. If she were completely honest with herself, she didn't really care what. As far as she was concerned the motherfucker deserved everything coming his way.
The longest twenty four hours in Gia’s life passed and Beppe was moved to the recovery unit. When Gia walked inside his new room, most of the machines had been removed, and he had a steady, rhythmic heartbeat. The beeping sound of his heartbeat was the best thing Gia had ever heard and she couldn’t help but grin. She’d come so close to losing him...
Gia sat down in the chair next to Beppe’s bed, fully intending to remain by his side until he opened his eyes, no matter how long it took.
Silvio had come home late last night and looked completely normal. For some reason Gia had expected to see him bruised and bloody and disheveled, but he was his perfect, handsome self. He told her to keep up with the story she and Lisa had agreed on when the police interviewed her, and everything would be fine. Gia still felt that if someone decided to dig deep enough, they would discover the truth and they’d be in even bigger trouble.
“What if the police somehow connect the dots between Francesco, Beppe and me? What if they start questioning Francesco? He’s completely crazy, I have no idea what he’ll say...”
“They won’t find him,” Silvio stated matter-of-factly.
“What do you mean?”
Silvio didn’t answer her question. He held Gia’s gaze, not flinching away, but not saying anything else either. Gia didn’t want to think about what this meant. Whatever it was, as long as Beppe was safe, she didn’t really care what had happened to Francesco.
She nodded, silently telling Silvio she understood they were not supposed to talk about this anymore. Silvio brushed his knuckles on her cheek and the corners of his lips turned into a soft smile. Then, he reached inside his jeans’ pocket and took something out. He held out his closed fist to Gia. Watching Silvio curiously she reached her own hand out. Gia gasped when the familiar weight of her engagement ring hit her palm. Her hand trembled as she tried to put it back on, realising how close she’d come to losing it, along with Beppe and everything in her life that mattered. Silvio tried to help her put it on, but Gia pulled her hand back, unwilling to let anybody else but Beppe put a ring on her finger ever again.
“Thank you,” she said when the ring was back on her hand where it belonged. Somehow, as stupid as it might be, the weight and beauty of the emerald, and the fact that it had found its way back to her
, gave her hope that everything would be OK.
A knock on the door brought Gia back to the present and she went to open it. Silvio stood on the threshold and gestured for her to come out. Gia glanced at Beppe to make sure it was OK to leave him and closed the door behind her.
“I’m going to head back home. There’s nothing endangering you or Beppe anymore. The police don’t have too much ground to stand on either. I believe they’ll soon close the investigation and won’t bother you.” Gia nodded. Beppe’s case would be added to the hundreds, if not thousands, of unsolved cases, put in a marked box and stored in the station’s basement.
“Thank you, Silvio,” Gia said and hugged him. The big man stiffened under her arms and patted her back awkwardly until she released him.
“There’s no need to thank me, Gianna. You and Beppe are family – nobody hurts my family.” He fixed his gorgeous blue eyes on her and the intensity in them told Gia he meant every word.
“Have a safe trip back home and give Sergio my regards,” said Gia when she managed to escape the trap of Silvio’s eyes.
“I will. Keep us updated on Beppe’s condition.”
“Definitely.” Silvio turned on his heel and started to walk away, but then he stopped and turned, a slow smile appearing on his lips.
“I almost forgot – I never said ‘congratulations’,” he looked pointedly at her ring.
“Thanks.” She smiled softly.
“Beppe is a lucky man. No wonder he’s determined to pull through this and get back on his feet. He probably can’t wait to marry you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Gia whispered and looked at her ring. She twisted it around her finger and it gave her comfort and assurance that everything would be all right. That ring was meant for happily ever afters.
When she looked up again, Silvio was gone.
It took three days for Beppe to open his eyes. And when he did, Gia was right there by his side. He tried to talk but his throat must have been dry and painful. Gia had watched enough episodes of ER and Grey’s Anatomy and was prepared. She gave him some lukewarm water through a straw and moistened his dry, parched lips with an ice cube.
As Silvio had predicted, the police had come to ask her questions but she had played her role well, telling them the agreed story. They asked a few more routine questions – did Beppe have any enemies, was he involved in gambling or drugs, did he owe anyone money – and promised to return when Beppe woke up to interview him as well. If Gia could judge by the look on their faces, they weren’t very optimistic, or very interested for that matter, in resolving that case.
“Hey, baby. Welcome back,” Gia said and caressed Beppe’s cheek. He looked at her with confusion in his eyes, probably not remembering much of what had happened. “It’s OK, you’re going to be all right, honey. You’re in the hospital but soon I’ll take you home and play slutty nurse for you.” Beppe tried to smile but his parched lips pulled painfully and he winced. Gia took a lip balm out of her bag and applied some to his lips.
“Thanks,” he managed to croak out. He found her hand on the bed next to his and squeezed gently. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. I can’t wait until you get out of this bed and we can start our life together.”
“Me too,” he whispered and Gia leaned in, kissing the corner of his mouth.
There were many questions swimming in his eyes. Soon, she’d tell him everything, but for now Beppe looked content just to hold Gia’s hand and have her close.
PART III
FOREVER
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Casa Salvatore was bustling with preparations for the upcoming wedding. Florists, decorators, waiters, chefs and suppliers were running around house all day, transforming it into a place out of a fairytale. Beppe looked around from where he was sitting on his bedroom’s balcony and marveled at his blessed life.
It was little more than a year ago that Francesco had sent him that text threatening Gia’s life, Beppe had felt as if his whole world collapsed around him. He had genuinely thought he’d lose her forever.
Thanks to his fiancé’s courage and his doctor’s skill, his world hadn’t come to an end – to the contrary. Today he was going to marry the woman he loved in front of his family and friends. His relatives had accepted him with open arms and without reservation. He and Gia had spent a month here in Sicily becoming better acquainted with the people who shared his blood. Beppe was proud to have his cousins, aunts and uncles, along with his best friends and their families, witness him getting married.
Remembering the hospital, Beppe recalled how Gia had told him everything that had happened with Francesco, about Silvio’s intervention and what they’d told the police. They had also discussed what Beppe’s story should be when the detectives came for their interview. He’d told them that he'd been on his way to buy a packet of cigarettes. He’d run into Lisa out front and someone had started shooting. He'd had no idea why. Just as Silvio had predicted, the police had no found no evidence strong enough to continue working the case. People were killed every day and they needed to move on to cases that had more of a chance of being solved.
Francesco was never heard from again. The gossip columns had speculated that he’d sold everything he owned and moved to an exotic island. They hinted the mafia had somehow been involved. Maybe that was true, maybe it wasn’t. Beppe didn't care either way as long as Francesco never returned.
Adjusting to life with a pacemaker had been a challenge.Under Gia’s watchful eye, Beppe had quit smoking once and for all and took better care of his body and well-being. After all, he planned to make love to that woman for many years to come. They got rid of the microwave and researched every power tool, household item and anything else that might have a magnetic field or in any way affect Beppe’s pacemaker. Gia diligently took Beppe’s pulse every single day. They had to pay more attention to every little hiccup, chest pain or tenderness in case it signaled any problems for his heart. It had annoyed Beppe to no end in the beginning.
He’d felt like a sick old man, but Gia had assured him, and repeatedly showed him, that he was not. All he needed was to take better care of his heart, and as time passed it became nothing more than routine.
A knock sounded on the door pulling Beppe back to the present. After Beppe’s ‘come in’ Max entered the room. His best man looked dashing in his black tuxedo.
“It’s time to get ready, man. The wedding is about to start in an hour,” Max said and clapped Beppe on the shoulder, dragging him back inside the room.
Beppe stood in front of the altar – or rather the exquisite arch made of the artificial flowers he’d insisted on that looked amazingly real – and scanned the setting around him. Most of the guests had claimed their seats and were chatting excitedly amongst themselves. The tables, chairs and the stage for the party after the ceremony were set to the right, ready and waiting for the guests to take their places and enjoy themselves.
Everything looked festive, yet simple and sophisticated. The center pieces for the tables were crystal bowls with floating water lilies in them – the only thing Gia had specifically asked for. If she’d had her way, they’d have gotten married on a deserted beach somewhere, just the two of them. But Beppe had insisted on giving her a wedding to remember – after all she wouldn't have another. He wanted them to share this day with their family and friends. As always, Gia had agreed, but had then stepped back and allowed Beppe’s family to organise everything, her only wish being the water lily center pieces.
The light sound of people chatting, the distant sound of crashing waves from the Mediterranean, the gulls above, and the soft breeze, all came together in a way that would always remind Beppe of this day. Casa Salvatore was built on a rise above a private beach strictly for the residents’ use. It was breathtaking, especially in the evening when the reflection of the house lights played upon the waters and sand.
The band they’d hired for the day took their places on the dais behind the altar which was
a signal for everyone to stop chatting and instead start murmuring excitedly. The bride would be appearing any moment. The first notes of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Mirrors’ – another thing Beppe had insisted on – started playing and the three violins’ powerful sound silenced everyone present. Both Beppe and Gia had fallen in love with the song when it was released, declaring it their song. Beppe thought the story behind it was similar to their own story and it warmed his heart in a beautiful way every time he heard it.
Excited awwws and ahhhs traveled to Beppe’s ears and he turned around, certain he’d see Gia who was the source of all that admiration. When he took a single look at his bride coming down the aisle, his breath caught, his heart jumped into his throat and his knees went weak. Gia looked gorgeous in her elegant gown that fitted her beautiful figure perfectly. It was white with gold embroidery on the bodice and the bottom of the skirt that caught the last of the sun rays making Gia glow. It hugged Gia's curves lovingly, the skirt flaring just enough to provide a light swish with every step she took towards Beppe. Her hair was unbound and flowed over her bare shoulders.
When she reached his side, Beppe couldn’t stop looking at her. He needed to see her actually standing there next to him to feel this was real and he hadn’t died on the street that day and gone to Heaven. Sensing his nervousness, Gia took hold of his hand to offer him the contact he so craved, and giving him one last encouraging smile, turned to face the priest.
In true Hollywood style, Beppe and Gia wanted to say their own vows. When the time came, Beppe took Gia’s other hand in his and looking straight into the amazing hazel eyes he so loved, he poured out his soul to her.
“Gia, there’s no reason for me to say I’ll love you and take care of you and cherish you for the rest of my days, because that’s a given. That’s what I was born to do. I’m still going to say it though,” Gia smiled and tears started welling in her eyes, making them the lush green Beppe loved so much. “Looking back, I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love you. You’re as much a part of me as my own soul, because when I was broken you gave me pieces of yourself and made me whole again. You’ve saved my life countless times, but what’s more – you've made it worth living. I’m honored, thrilled and beyond lucky that you agreed to marry me. I promise I’ll never make you regret it.”
Then, Now, Forever (Heartbeat #2) Page 27