Page 9 of My Sunfall

I need your help, can we meet tomorrow?

Of course! Tell me when and where, I’ll be there! My boss won’t be pleased, but I’ll make it up to him. Wink emoji, eggplant emoji

I huff out a short laugh while my face heats. Erin has that power to make even the grumpiest grump laugh. Proof is that she is married to grim and forbidding Matteo Di Rossi, Damiano’s enforcer. And she’s giving him a run for the money, making him lose his mind with her shenanigans. He is also her boss in the data department she works in. Data as in hacking for the famiglia, or whatever they do in their secret lair. Point is, she is one of the best hackers in the country and I start to breathe easier now, knowing that I have her on my side. I know I can convince her of my plan.

Chiara Bianchi must die, and Erin will help me.

Chapter Five

Chiara

“That’s…unexpected,” Erin murmurs, with a long exhale as she looks at me with wide eyes.

I don’t reply and let my gaze roam the coffee shop she loves so much. She is somewhat of a coffee junkie, while I am more of a tea person. I take a sip of my Earl Grey, letting the citrus and floral scent strengthen my resolve.

“Are…you sure that’s what you want?” Erin probes.

I look up at her. “I’ve never been surer.”

“What about Lily? Have you told her?”

I hesitate. “Not yet, but I can’t tell her in person.” My throat constricts painfully when I think of the pain and disappointment I’ll cause her. “Not with them being around. Damiano will immediately sense that something’s wrong and he’ll send his bloodhounds after me.” I look up at her. “Can you take care of her and Dante? Let her know that I will reach out to her once the dust has settled. I know she’ll understand.”

Erin lets out a long breath. “Okay… She will be so pissed when she finds out that I helped you.”

I laugh softly. “Don’t worry, she won’t be angry for long, she loves you to death.”

“I beg to differ—she loves you more. And she will be absolutely livid.” She groans and lets her head fall on the table with exaggerated despair.

“I promise, I’ll contact her once…this is over, and I’ll explain. And it’s only temporary.” At least that’s what I tell myself to assuage the guilt that’s eating me up.

Erin looks up at me, her face suddenly serious. “Do you need to talk to someone? You don’t have to go that far. Maybe I can help with whatever problem you have.”

I shake my head in silence, not trusting my voice.

Erin goes on. “I don’t know why you are doing this but that’s so unlike you.”

I laugh bitterly. “I haven’t felt like myself for a long time. Forever in fact. I just…need this. I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, and please don’t tell anyone about this. And I really mean no one.”

“You can trust me. Even Matteo won’t hear a peep, although he has that crazy talent to tease me with his tongue when—”

“Stop, I don’t need to hear that!” I cry out, horrified. I definitely, don’t want to hear or imagine my friend doing…things with her husband. Oh god, no!

“Relax.” She giggles. “I was going to say when he is eating the last ice cream, and he won’t let me have a bite.”

I make a noncommittal noise, not believing for a second that’s what she meant to say.

“So, will you help me?” I look at her with hope.

“It’s a given, Chiquita. You don’t even need to ask.”

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thanks. I know I’m asking a lot of you to keep this to yourself but…” I trail off with a helpless shrug as my throat constricts around the words.

She gives me a sad smile, taking my hand in hers and squeezing it. “I’ll miss you so much at karaoke night.”

My eyes sting and I blink away the welling tears. I’ll miss her, too.

“But it’ll be fun to see the boys running in circles chasing their tails,” she goes on with a delighted smirk. “Especially Lucas.”