Mixed blood

Chapter 14: Pure strawberries

As the sun dipped below the Roman skyline, casting a golden glow across the city, they approached the hotel, both breathing hard.

They froze at the sight of police officers swarming the entrance, questioning tourists, and scanning for anyone who looked remotely suspicious.

William ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Great. How are we supposed to get inside and grab our things?"

Luana smirked, pulling a small tube from her bag. "Leave that to me."

He raised an eyebrow, unamused. "Right. The perfect time to fix your makeup?"

"Not just any lipstick. It's made of pure strawberries," She wagged the tube in front of him.

"What? Why are you keeping this harmful thing with you."

"To use it when needed," She titled her head slightly to the right.

Understanding dawned in William's eyes. "Oh no. No fucking way."

"Oh yes," she replied, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"No, impossible! I won't put my life at risk,"  he shrugged.

"Just trust me. I'll give you your EpiPen in time," She assured him with a serious look on her face.

Reluctantly, he took the lipstick and began to raise it to his mouth.

"Wait—what are you doing?" she asked, appalled.

"What's it look like? You said it's pure strawberry. I'll eat it."

"Disgusting! It's lipstick, not food!"

"It's better than kissing you, but if you want a kiss, you just have to ask." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Her face grew hot with a rush of anger, and before she could think twice, she swiped the lipstick on, grabbed him by the collar, and kissed him hard.

William staggered back, eyes wide. "Well, if you'd waited for me to be ready..."

"You could've been ready if you hadn't been talking."

He chuckled, still dazed. "Noted. Now let's move."

They wove their way through the crowd and inched toward the lobby entrance. William tripped on the last step, barely catching himself as Luana reached out to steady him.

"Lean on me," she muttered.

He laughed under his breath. "I can't believe my life is in your hands."

"Shh. An officer's coming," she hissed.

"Easy!"

"We're dead!"

He took a breath. "No, we're not. You can do this. You fooled me, fool him."

The officer stopped in front of them, looking concerned. "Signora, tutto bene?"

She looked at William for translation but he was out of it.

"I don't speak Italian," She let out.

He nodded and asked her again, "Everything alright?"

Luana flashed a smile. "Yes, well... no. My husband here, he has a severe allergy," she said, giving Will a pointed look, "and we need his medication from our room."

The officer frowned, peering at William's reddened face as he coughed and sputtered, truly gasping now as he gripped his throat and coughed again. The officer grew alarmed, signaling for backup.

"Signore, what do we do?" the officer's friend asked, "Let's take him to the hospital."

"No hospital!" Luana practically shouted. "I have his meds in our room. Help me!"