Lissy Romano

71| Forgive me.

Santino Romano

"Don't you think that it's time to call them? They haven't called us, do you think everything goes by the plan?" I asked as I looked at Marco. He was looking at his phone, silent.

"They are doing everything to find her. You need to sleep, Santino." Marco said, his gaze full of concern.

"Don't tell me what to do. I'm not a little kid." I snapped, my frustration bubbling to the surface. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, his phone dinged.

He glanced down and smiled. "They found her. They're on their way here." Marco's words sent a wave of relief over me.

"Thank goodness." I murmured, unable to believe that in just a little while, Lissy would be here. With me.

My Lissy.

I slowly sat up, despite Marco's disapproving glances. He was shaking his head, clearly frustrated. "Domenico said you need to sleep," he repeated, voice edged with irritation.

"I don't care. I don't want her to see me lying here like I did on that road when I couldn't protect her," I said, pressing my head against the wall.

"Okay, fair enough," Marco replied with a sigh. "But Domenico will probably be pissed when he sees you up."

Every second without her felt like an eternity. I couldn't wait to see her again.

Moments later, I heard voices outside. They were here. She was finally here.

Marco stood and moved toward the door, his smile genuine. I wished I could be in his place—seeing her, feeling the relief of knowing she was safe. But I couldn't even stand.

Soon, my brothers walked in, blocking my view. I looked at them, desperately searching for a glimpse of her.

"Where's Lissy?" I asked, my voice trembling as I looked at Dante and Davide.

They stepped aside, and there she was. My heart stuttered at the sight of her. She stood there, held by Vincenzo's strong grip, her clothes soaked in blood. Her eye was black, bruised, and she was swaying on her feet, in clear pain.

"Santino," she said softly, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at me.

"My Lissy... come here, baby." I opened my arms, and she walked slowly towards me. She wiped her tears away with her sleeve, and when she finally reached me, I pulled her into a tight embrace.

It physically hurt to hold her. Not because of the bullet wounds, but because I hadn't protected her like I should have as her older brother.

"Please forgive me, Lissy," I whispered, my hand gently resting on the top of her head, the other on her back.

She leaned her head against my shoulder, wrapping her arms around me. Her sobs racked her body, and I gently ran my hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her.

"I love you, Santino," she whispered, her tears soaking into my skin.

"I love you too, darling." I kissed the top of her head, continuing to caress her back. I wanted nothing more than to make it all better for her.