Chapter Seven
Adriano
I stand in front of Capri’s apartment, about to knock on her door. I hang my fist midair. I’ve never actually bothered with knocking before. Why did I suddenly bother now? I silence the voice in my mind that proffers an answer. I don’t even want to consider it. It simply isn’t possible.
I exhale. Why am I acting like a wuss all of a sudden?
The same thing happened yesterday, and the day before.
I had come here but left without stepping in.
I look at the bunch of red roses in my hands.
Will she like them? I never actually bothered to ask her what she likes.
It’s high time I do. I take another deep breath and, for the first time, I knock on her door.
The dog across the street barks aggressively.
It seems to have been restless since last night. I knock again. Still no response.
I guess I’ll just have to go in unannounced again.
I unlock the door and give the flowers in my hands another glance, considering dumping them in the garbage.
It probably makes me look weak. After a long, hard thought, I conclude that she’d like it, and that makes it worth keeping.
I enter her living room, surprised that it—for the first time—looks like someone actually lives here.
The clothes and dishes that littered the living room have been cleared, and she even started shading something on her canvas. I look closely at the sketch. It looks somewhat familiar, but I probably have no idea what it is. Someone seems to be in high spirits.
The thought that I might be responsible for this renewed vigor spreads a smile across my face—an action which almost feels alien.
I noticed the crutches on the floor. It seems strange that she’d clean up this place but leave one of her crutches sprawled across the floor. I walk over to pick up the crutches.
Now, where is she?
I make my way quietly to her room, and the first thing I notice is the broken door. My heart immediately begins to race as adrenaline shoots through me. What the hell happened here?
“Capri!” I shout, hoping she’s somewhere in the house. I check the bathroom. Empty. “Capri!”
My palm becomes clammy, as a series of thoughts shoot across my mind—none of it good.
I rush to the kitchen. Empty, except for the dirty dishes on the counter.
I hear a phone ring, and relief washes through me.
Perhaps she stepped out, and I am overthinking things again.
I pick up her phone, which is on the table beside her canvas, where her pencils and palettes are neatly arranged.
The caller ID says Mom. I contemplate picking up the call, but ultimately decide against it.
The phone rings again, and I watch it till the call ends.
I check her call log and find sixteen missed calls.
A couple of people have been trying to reach her all day.
That means she didn’t just step out and forget her phone, as I thought.
Fear immediately grips me. Without a second thought, I dial her mom.
She picks up the first ring.
“Capri?” Her voice sounds a little chirpy, unlike Capri’s calm voice.
“No. I’m Adriano. Her—”
“Her boyfriend?”
“Um...” I freeze, unsure of what to say.
“She told me about you last night. I don’t know what you did to my little girl, but thank you, Adriano.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard her that excited.
Ever since the accident, when she lost her best friend—I’m sure she told you all about that—she’s been withdrawn.
And yesterday, she finally called and even invited us over for the weekend.
” The happiness in her voice is as clear as day.
“Thank you, Adriano. I really don’t know how to thank you for bringing our daughter back. ”
She says it all so fast that I have no idea how to reply. I don’t even know how to feel about Capri telling her mother about me. “You’re welcome,” I mutter, even though I know I’m supposed to say something else.
“Is Capri there with you? I’ve been trying to reach her for some time now.”
“She’s asleep. I can let her know you called once she’s awake. She’ll give you a call back.”
“Okay. I’d appreciate that. I can’t wait to meet you—” I swallow. “Good night, Adriano.”
“Good night.”
I feel a little guilty hiding the truth from her. But she only just thanked me for bringing her daughter back from the brink of oblivion. Telling her that some members of the Mafia might have kidnapped her daughter and that I’m at fault might be a little too much for her to handle.
I promised her daughter that I’d protect her, and I’ve failed woefully. Capri trusted me, and I wasn’t even here when she needed me the most. If only I hadn’t walked away when I came here last night, I’d have known something was wrong.
I let out a frustrated shout and punch the wall. I’m going to make this right. I made a promise to Capri, and I’m going to keep it even if it’s the last thing I do.
I have a good idea who is behind this. He had subtly threatened me at the party, but I didn’t think he’d have the guts to make a move on me. My phone buzzes just in time. I check my caller ID. It’s exactly who I have in mind.
“Hello, Adriano.” His sadistic voice filters through my speakers.
“Simeone. Did you call me to gloat?”
“Not really. I was hoping you’d call earlier, but I got tired of waiting.”
“I swear on my parents’ graves that if any harm comes to her, I’ll find you and peel your skin off your bones. And when you finally beg me to kill you, I’ll burn your entire family in front of you, then burn you, too.”
“Great! It actually means you care about her. When you didn’t call, I began to think I had the wrong person. You and I have got some scores to settle, Adriano. I’ll send you an address. You know what to do.”
He hangs up, and a message pops up almost immediately. That bastard. I’m going to kill him.