Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
But sometimes the grandest gesture of all is sitting in the quiet aftermath of brutality, in a sterile hospital room, with a slow beeping of machines in the background… holding hands.
Sometimes it’s a bottle of water when you're thirsty, a sandwich when you’re hungry, and the sure, steady strength of an arm around your shoulders.
I look at Starla, peacefully lying in her bed.
I think of what Sergio has done for me, and what I have done for Starla. And I know then. Sometimes love isn't a feeling… but what you do.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sergio
Starla does not have to stay long in the hospital. But that leaves us with an interesting predicament.
For all intents and purposes, Eden and Starla are now homeless. Eden’s only been staying in the club as an employee, but she doesn't technically live there. I have my own home I could bring them to, but it feels strange taking her sister there with us.
I talked it over with Mario over a cold beer in the club one night. "There is no way Eden wants her sister in the club, and frankly, she can't stay there anyway because she’s still a minor."
"Of course not," Mario says with a growl. "I still can't get over the fact that you guys let Marialena in here."
Marialena may be an adult, but she’s the youngest Rossi sibling, and she'll probably always be a minor in their eyes.
"Where do you and Eden stand?"
Where do we stand? "I love her. I'm going to marry her, and soon. I don't want her to have a single doubt in her mind about who I am, about who we are."
Mario nods. His own relationship with his wife Gloria had been fraught with difficulty when it began. Gloria actually isn't even her real name, but that's their story and not ours. We all have complexities that we bring to the table. We all have wounded pasts, and trauma, though some scars run deeper than others.
But I won't let my wounds define me, and neither will Eden. Her fierce insistence on overcoming anything is probably one of the things I love most about her.
"I know that you're not getting married to anyone but her,” Mario says. "Romeo made that clear as day. But I mean, what’s next?”
I'm not the kind of person that doesn't like to think about the answer to that question. I always like to know what’s going to happen next. But I love her. So that means the answer to that question is up to her.
“All that matters to me is that Eden and Starla are safe."
"Oh, Jesus. Do you two have to become, like, legal guardians?"
"They’re orphans now. So, yeah, for now."
During the aftermath of the deaths of the cult leaders and the remainder of those in charge being arrested, Eden’s mother fled the country. We found out recently that her body was found in the Caribbean and the cause of death was suspected suicide. Doubtful, but we won’t pursue it.
The scars that Eden and Starla bear will be with them a long, long time. Maybe forever.
“I know a guy,” Mario says. "He can expedite everything so that you guys can get guardianship sooner."
I nod. Mario always knows a guy.
For now, Starla is living with us. She’s young enough she still needs some guidance, and she absolutely needs our provisions and protection for the time being, but Starla will be independent soon enough.
For now, I have the two of them situated in a hotel deep in the heart of Boston. Eden insisted that she and I not share a room, not yet anyway, because she wants to make her sister feel comfortable. I have my most trustworthy guards on them at all times. What she doesn't know is that I am one of those guards for 24 hours a day. I keep my distance, but not too far.
The door to the club opens.
I forget to breathe when Eden walks in. Just the sight of her—wholesome, pure, and stunning—clutches at my heart. The sound of the room fades when she turns the full wattage of her smile on me.
“Jesus,” Mario repeats. “She makes me want to go to Confession.”
I’ll be an old man hobbling around with a crutch and this woman will still make my heart beat faster.
Eden smirks a little at me from across the room, probably thinking that she surprised me with this visit. What she doesn't know in this particular instance won’t hurt her.
I get my shit together, wave, and beckon her over.
She smiles at me brightly, with the power to make me feel like the tallest, richest, most powerful man in the room. She smiles as if her heart hasn’t been to Hell and back. Nothing will keep this woman down.
When she reaches me, I tug her hand and casually draw her onto my lap. Mario can't stop the grin that spreads across his face.