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A shiver rocked my body, and my legs instinctively curled tighter into my body. Not like they could get much closer. The box limited my movement in every direction, and agony ripped through me every time I tried to move.
I swore I could feel the air thin as I tried to drag in a deep breath. I was slowly running out of oxygen. How much time did I have left? Tears crept from the corners of my eyes as I pressed my hands to the lid only inches from my face. I couldn’t even get enough leverage to push up on it or kick upward. I ran my fingers over the seams, searching for any weakness in its construction.
I’d been in and out of consciousness, fighting to stay awake and alert. Here in the dark, time had no meaning. Did Matteo plan to come back for me at all? Or did he plan to let me die down here, all alone? I was growing weaker and weaker, staying awake for shorter periods of time. A shudder rolled through me and a sob tore from my throat. No one could help me now. I was locked away somewhere underground where my body would never be found.
I prayed that death would come quickly. The last set of lashes were the hardest I’d endured yet, and my skin was flayed open in several places. Those wouldn’t kill me, though. What I dreaded most was dragging in one breath after another, slowly using up all of the oxygen inside my small tomb until it was gone. I already felt lightheaded. It wouldn’t be long now.
I cried for myself, for Eric, for the life we would never have. It was stupid to use up my reserve of oxygen, but I couldn’t help the great, gasping breaths that heaved in and out of my lungs. I hated Matteo and everything he stood for. I closed my eyes and employed the strategy Johnny had instilled in me years ago.
The darkness of the box dissolved away, and my breathing regulated, my tears slowing as the beach came into focus. Here in my own little world, I knew every blade of grass, every grain of sand. I felt the sun on my face, the wind in my hair. The cool water tickled my toes as the tide lapped gently at my feet. But there was a second presence that hadn’t existed before.
“Daddy!” Tears burned the bridge of my nose as his familiar arms enveloped me, pulling me close. “I missed you so much.”
He stroked one hand over my hair. “I’ve missed you, too, tesoro.”
I leaned away and met his green eyes, so much like my own. If Daddy was here... “Is this Heaven?”
He smiled gently. “It seems that way, doesn’t it?”
Dread settled like lead in my gut. I’d tried so hard to be strong, to keep going, but it hadn’t been enough. Eric was somewhere out there, and I couldn’t even warn him that Matteo was coming for him. I couldn’t do anything at all, because now I would never see him again.
Burrowing my head against Daddy’s shoulder, I vented my frustration, my grief. Through it all, he held me close.
“He took everything from me.” He squeezed my shoulders tighter as my voice broke. “I loved him so much, and...”
I trailed off, and my father gently stroked my back. “Everything will be all right. You’ll see.”
I shook my head against his chest. How could he say that? I’d been betrayed by my own cousin; we’d both been betrayed by people we’d cared about. I pulled back to look at him. “Massimo sold you out.”
An acute look of sorrow entered his eyes. “I know.”
“How could he? He took you from me, and then Matteo—” Choking back a sob, I glanced up at him. “I lost everything. I loved him so much, and now I’ll never see him again.”
“Of course you will, tesoro.” A large palm slipped beneath my chin and lifted my gaze to his. “Your cop is a good man. He loves you very much; I can tell. You will be happy together.”
My father spoke in present tense though we both knew better, and a sad smile lifted my mouth. “I’m so glad we’re together again.”
“I have missed you, piccolina.” He gave a little shake of his head. “But this? This is only temporary.”
“Why?” Panic flared around my heart. “What are you talking about? Why can’t I stay with you?”
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead before meeting my gaze again. “You’re not ready yet.”
“But—”
Daddy shook his head and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. “I will always be here, in your heart.”
“No!” Tears welled up, blurring my vision. I couldn’t bear to lose him again, not when I’d just found him. “Daddy—”
“Jules.”
My ears perked up at the sound of my name as it carried toward me on the slight breeze. My brows drew together, and I whipped my head left and right as it came again, closer this time.
“Jules.”
I shielded my eyes from the glare of the sun as a lone figure strolled along the shore. Each step that closed the distance between us brought the man more into focus.
Eric.
My breath caught, and I took a step toward him before I remembered. I spun back toward my father, tears in my eyes. “Daddy...”
He lifted one hand and cupped my cheek. “Go.”
Pushing myself up on my toes, I kissed his cheek. Tears swam in my eyes as I stared up at him. “I love you.”
“Ti amo.”
With one last watery smile, I ripped myself out of his arms and sprinted across the sand toward Eric.
“Come back to me, Jules.” He stopped and spread his arms wide, a smile on his face as I launched myself toward him.
I’m coming, Eric.