Chapter 41
EMILY
It takes all my concentration to accept that Ernesto isn’t coming. And my phone’s battery is dead.
Cradling the trembling Biscotti against my chest, I stumble out of the woody area known as The Ramble and across the park to The Circle Hotel.
I rush past the concierge, into the elevator, then into the apartment Gina and Dante share.
Before I even finish explaining what happened to Gina, Ciro is calling for the veterinarian to make a house call. Then he alerts Dante and Lorenzo about what happened to Biscotti.
Now, an hour later, Lorenzo sits by my side in the living room of Dante’s apartment. The room is silent save for the sound of Gina’s soft crying.
“Do you think Biscotti will be okay?” I ask Lorenzo. “I feel so responsible…”
From my vantage point, I can see the veterinarian tending to Biscotti as Gina watches him.
The vet’s initial report was that there did not appear to be any physical damage to him at all. The blood covering him was not his own blood. God knows whose blood it was, human or animal.
“You are not responsible for what happened to Biscotti,” says Lorenzo, squeezing my hand. “Get that out of your mind.”
I nod. “Did your men find out what happened to Ernesto? Why he never returned?”
“They’ve found him,” says Lorenzo, his tone dark. “He’s been dealt with.”
My mouth opens to ask a question, but I shut it when I see the expression on his face.
I know that look.
But I can’t let go. “What does that even mean?”
“Exactly what I said. He’s been ‘dealt with.’ Do not ask about this again. Now let’s speak of more pleasant things,” he says, taking my hand.
I let Lorenzo keep hold of my hand, but even as he does my thoughts continue to race. Even though Lorenzo says I’m not responsible, I am. Of course I am.
How careless of me to just tie Biscotti’s leash around the leg of my chair, while I turned my attention to my phone.
“Emily, did you hear me?” I hear Lorenzo saying. I had been too preoccupied with self-reprimands to hear.
“Sorry,” I say. “Can you repeat that?”
“What would you say about getting out of Manhattan for a few days?”
“Now? With Biscotti in such an unstable position?
“You heard the vet. He’ll be fine. It would be good for you to get away.”
“Well, if you’d like to, and since Biscotti will be okay. Yes. That could be nice. Where would we go?”
“The Berkshires. I know how much you miss Teddy and want to visit him. I’ve planned the trip so we can stop by the academy where Teddy goes to school. Then we’ll celebrate your 21st birthday in style in one of those historic castle-like hotels. “
Lorenzo pauses to check my reaction.
“Maybe we can even check out the Renaissance Faire this weekend at the old strawberry farm.”
My eyes widen. “First, how did you know it’s my birthday? And how did you know I wanted to visit Teddy—?”
Lorenzo puts his fingers on my lower lip.
“No questions. Allow me to do this for you.”
I look at Lorenzo, amazed that he’s given so much thought to my birthday and desire to see Teddy.
“Well,” I say, running my little finger down the center of his palm. “Since you’re twisting my arm like that, I might say yes.”
He rises. “Good. It’s all set. All you have to do is be ready to leave at nine tomorrow morning. You think that’s possible?”
“I think so.”