“Anyway, back to the story. People in the surrounding area had heard her screams and when the witnesses came running, they all saw Alejandro stabbing and apparently killing the unknown man, Rosa Lita already lying there in the street. So it looked like two people dead and one standing, and of course that made Alejandro the culprit. When he was arrested, Alejandro realised no matter what he said, the authorities were not going to believe him. He made up the name Dante Delavega as a means of not giving the landlord the satisfaction of knowing what happened when news reached him. With no family to speak of, he was declared property of the British Government and sent to New South Wales.”
“The poor guy…”
“Oh, it gets worse.”
”Worse?”
“And yet sadder still. But we are late.”
“Late? For what?”
“To see your mum,” Michelle answered simply.
“That’s not funny,” Alex snapped. She leaned back in her chair and looked closely at Michelle and saw that her new friend was quite serious. “You’re not kidding, are you?”
“Yeah, now is as good a time as any.”
“That won’t be happening” Alex said. “Stop looking at me like that!” she yelled, fear and anger causing her voice to rise. Michelle did not shift her gaze.
“I’m not going in there,” Alex stated, leaning forward again, hoping that closing the distance would enforce her point.
“Alex, you have been listening to me talk for hours now. I love the fact that you have taken all this in. Believe me I didn’t take it so well when I first heard of it. I need you to believe me and listen to me now. I don’t like forcing anything on people I like, but broken rib or not, I can and will. There is a reason I am taking you there.” Michelle reached her hand across the table and gently, yet firmly grasped Alex’s fingers. “Please, Alex, I need you to trust me.”
Alex tried to talk, to refuse, but something in Michelle’s face and the affectionate warmth of her touch. She relented with a nod.
“Good girl. Now come on. Help me get in the car. I feel like an old woman here.”
*
Michelle was right. By the time Alex pulled up, the sun had been down for about an hour. Maybe she had learned to time everything by the rising and setting of the sun for Dante?
In any case, it did not make facing that building any easier.
“I don’t think I can do this.”
“Yes you can. Off you go.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“No. The hospital won’t let me in.”
Alex felt her forehead, pulling back her fingers to see small beads of sweat. It was a huge effort for Alex to get in the car. It was almost impossible for her not to demand Michelle stop the car and turn around. She trusted Michelle. The fact she was still sitting here proved it. There was quite clearly a reason Michelle was so adamant Alex had to journey to the hospital. But there was no way in hell Alex would be able to voluntarily walk into the place by herself.
“Why did you bring me here if you weren’t coming?”
“You won’t be alone.”
Just then Alex’s door opened and a large hand was upturned towards her.
“I can get us in,” a deep voice said reassuringly.
Alex stared at the hand and then to the face only partially lit by the interior light of the car. “Why are you doing this?”
“It’s time you learned the truth about your family.”
Chapter Eighteen
Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
Dante opened the hospital’s door for Alex and they both stepped in. Dante made his way over to the reception desk. A young nurse, looking barely out of school stood behind the counter, flicking through files. She was obviously getting ready to go home.
“Sorry, visiting hours are…over.” She’d barely spoke the last word when she looked up to see Dante strolling over to her.
“Good evening. My humblest apologies for arriving so late, but I had to pick up this young lady from the airport. Delayed flight you see. She is only here for tonight then she is off to Brisbane for a conference, then back to Paris. Could you permit her just a small amount of time to see her mother, perhaps?”
Pretty smooth, Alex thought. Even I might have bought that story.
The nurse was clearly flustered, and stammered a little. “I—I am so sorry, but I can’t. Security is gone and I have to lock up before the next shift arrives.”
She obviously meant what she said. She was a sweet young thing.
“Don’t tell me you’re here past your finishing time?” Dante said, looking at the clock and sounding very sincere.
“Well…actually, yes.”
“Good lord! Here I am telling you about delayed flights and I myself am delaying you.” The both of them chuckled at that, and Alex noticed the nurse now constantly flicking her hair and licking her lips, eating it up.
“Tell me, my dear, what is your name?”
“Rose.”
Dante closed his eyes as if mesmerised. “What a beautiful name. And coincidently, my favourite flower.” He took her hand in his, stroking it with his thumb. Rose’s eyes dropped to stare at his actions.
“Do you like roses, Rose?”
“Umm…” Rose couldn’t manage to get the words out, so nodded instead.
“Which one is your favourite?”
“It’s umm…white.”
“How interesting. It’s the funniest thing, but…” Suddenly he presented his not-quite-closed fist. Uncurling his fingers, he revealed the tip of a white rose and handed it to its namesake.
“Oh my...thanks!” She gave him a big smile and started giggling, though Alex thought it sounded a bit nervous as well as impressed.
“You’re very welcome,” he said, getting his voice to be even deeper. Alex was unsure if Rose even noticed the deliberate change. She seemed awfully flushed. “Now one
