“What do you want, then?” I asked in an impatient tone.
“I want us to welcome our child into a stable home,” he said calmly.
I didn't know if I should laugh or cry...or perhaps both. I just couldn’t believe he was serious. “Alessandro, I don't think that’s possible,” I retorted matter-of-factly.
“How can you be so sure when we never even tried?” His voice rang with frustration.
“We're wrong for each other.” Avoiding his eyes, I kept my gaze on the paper napkin that I twisted in my hands. “How can you not see that?”
“We’re not wrong for each other, Olivia,” he said with absolute conviction. “We’ve just lost our way and I want us to get back on track.”
I gasped a sad smile. “For a man who can't remember his past, you’re sure quick to map out your future.”
“My future is with you, Olivia,” he whispered, reaching for my hands once again. “I don't want to have it any other way.”
“What about what I want?” I challenged.
His eyes zoned out as though lost in thought. Then, he snapped out of it and stared with unhidden determination. “I can't let you go without a fight. I want to show you it can be different...I can be different...I can...” he said, squeezing my hand as if trying to convince both me and himself.
“Alessandro, you cannot ask me to open up to you and be vulnerable,” I retorted. “I can't do that.”
“I'm sorry, Olivia, but I have to ask you to trust me one last time. If I mess up again and you get hurt, I’ll give you what you want...you’ll get your divorce and I’ll know at least we tried to make it work.”
There was no way we could ever work, but if I agreed, he just might give me a divorce and set me free in a peaceful, non-threatening manner that wouldn't result in more deaths. I didn't dare to believe it could be that simple, but I had yet to see Alessandro back down on his word. Now I was the one who squeezed his hands. “Do you promise?” I asked with slight hope.
“Cara, I swear,” he stressed the words. “Just give me one more chance. That's all I ask.”
“And what if you remember?” I probed with caution. “Are you still going to keep your end of the bargain?”
“Olivia, I’m going to honor my promise no matter what.” His black eyes bored into mine. “If you need me to spill my blood and take an oath to convince you, I’m prepared to do that.”
I grimaced and snatched my hands away again. “Alessandro, this isn't a mafia initiation. I don't need you to spill blood,” I said quietly. “I’m just sick and tired of playing games and I don't want to get hurt again.”
“I don't have the slightest intention to hurt you, cara. The only thing I want is to make amends.” He paused for a few moments and sighed. “Come to Italy with me...I want to give you the honeymoon we never had.”
“What?!” I exclaimed in disbelief.
Alessandro's gaze froze on the women behind us. They whispered something about a hottie and Italy. They were so shameless in their comments I was embarrassed for them. He shook his head in irritation and exhaled, returning his eyes on me. “I want to get to know you, Olivia. I want to learn who you are,” he whispered in Italian. “I want to find out what you like and what makes you happy...I want to be the kind of husband you deserve.”
I switched to Italian as well. “Alessandro, I can't go to Italy with you.”
“Why not, cara?”
There were hundreds of reasons, but one of them was a real legal obstacle. “The police are going to look for me,” I reminded him. “It’s only a matter of time until they get that warrant. If I leave the country, I'd be considered a fugitive.”
“Don't worry about it, Olivia,” he reassured, taking a bite of his club sandwich. “It's already taken care of. They won't bother you again.”
I straightened my posture. “What do you mean they won't bother me again? They are the police.”
He swallowed and dabbed his mouth with the paper napkin. “What I mean is there will be no warrant, so nothing is preventing you from travelling outside the country.”
“What did you do?” I asked incredulously.
“Nothing too ominous. I just called in for a favor from an old associate,” he said nonchalantly, and I gaped at him in wonder.