Page 61 of Roses are Royal

“If it wasn’t at Dante’s house, then where was it?”

“A house being rented by a man named Anthony Rossi. I believe you know him as Luca.”

Luc. Why would he have a flash drive with any information that could be helpful? And why would the password be my nickname? And why would they even look at his house or know it exists? Angelo must take my silence as permission to continue because I don’t have a chance to respond before he says something that changes everything.

“The information on the drive was a list of names, dates, and dollar amounts. Some names, however, didn't have a date listed next to them.”

“A hit list?” Dante's voice jerks me to attention.

“What do you mean a hit list? Why would Luc have a hit list?” My ears ring so loud with the spike of my adrenaline that I almost miss what Angelo says next.

“Your name is on the list,” Angelo says plainly, looking directly at me.

“I’m sorry. Did you just say my name…is on a hit list? Why the hell would someone want to kill me? Who would want to kill me?” I’m shouting now as I stand to pace the space behind the chairs.

“You are the sole heir to the Nicoletti family organization, Rose. The list of people and organizations that would want this family destroyed is long, unfortunately.”

“I literally just met you less than forty-eight hours ago! How is any of this possible?” My arms are gesturing wildly around to emphasize my distress.

“There’s more,” Angelo says, unconcerned by my outburst.

Of course there’s more.

“Your mother’s name was also on the list. However, her name has a date next to it. It was the day she was murdered.”

That piece of information stops me in my tracks.

“So, you’re saying the same ‘hit list’ that has my name on it also has Liliana’s?” I still can’t call her my mother. It just doesn’t feel right. “Who is responsible for creating this list?”

“We can’t be certain. However, we believe it’s a secret underground organization operating for the government. We have known about them for a long time but have never officially crossed paths with them, to our knowledge. But I guess considering they are likely responsible for your mother…Liliana’s death, that would explain why we could never track down information on her murder. Their resources are endless, and without the concern for police or FBI involvement in their dealings, they operate freely and unchecked.”

“Wait, why do you think it’s some super-secret organization? None of this makes any sense.” My head is spinning as I try to put all the puzzle pieces together, but something just doesn’t fit.

“We believe it’s that organization because Anthony Rossi is a code name used by them. And considering that is the name Luca used to rent the house under, we believe he was a part of their organization.”

Was. That is the only word my brain can fully compute with all of the crazy accusations being thrown around right now.

“What do you mean, was?” My voice is low, already knowing the answer.

“Luca has been confirmed…deceased. There was an obituary for him listed this morning.” Angelo’s response is quiet, but I don’t miss a single word.

Somehow this secret organization has not only taken my mother before I ever had a chance to meet her, but now they have taken the only person I have ever truly loved without question, Luc. My Lucy. And now I know what I have to do. End it. End it all.

79

ROSE

After the conversation with Angelo and Dante, all I want to do is be alone with my thoughts. Am I really about to do this? Am I really cut out to lead some big organization that is being handed to me just because of my DNA?

I am led upstairs to the top level of the large brownstone and into a beautiful bedroom. Angelo mentioned this was Liliana’s room when she would stay here. After her death, he refused to change anything about it and only allowed staff to clean it once a week to ensure it didn’t become dusty. It feels eerie being in a space of someone I have never met but share a connection with.

She has...had a record player on a shelf against one wall, and the shelf below is overflowing with vinyl records. We definitely have that in common. She even has some of my favorites. Brushing my index finger along the spines of the albums, I come across a Pearl Jam jacket that is for a single of theirs titled “Daughter.” As if drawn to it by some cosmic force, I slowly pull it out from the shelf and reach inside to pull out the record. However, with the record also comes a piece of notebook paper with frayed edges, as if it were hastily torn from a spiral notebook before being folded and stuffed inside this record's cardboard jacket. I carefully place the vinyl down and unfold the piece of paper, which seems to have been preserved in time by being protected inside the vinyl.

My dearest Violetta,

If you are reading this letter, then unfortunately I have failed at the one thing I vowed to do in this life, and that is to protect you. For that, I am sorry. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. The hardest decision I ever made was to give you up. Please don’t be angry with me. You have to understand the life I grew up in was not the life I wanted for my beautiful baby girl, and as I held you in my arms for the first time after you were born and I looked into your beautiful eyes that matched your father's, I knew I had to do something to ensure you would never know of the life you were meant to inherit.

Your grandfather doesn’t know about you, but I will leave him a letter as well in case something happens to me. He will find you and keep you safe in his own way, but be patient with him. I hope you will never have to read this letter, though. I am going to find a way for your father and me to get out of this life, and we will come for you. I left a rose with you as a symbol of my love and protection. My mom’s name (your grandmother) was Rose, and she was the fiercest woman I have ever met. Even though she is gone, I know she is watching over you and will keep you safe until I can find my way back to you. I named you Violetta, not only to continue the family tradition of floral symbolism, but because lilies and violets together represent deep and pure affection, devotion, and faithfulness. I love you with every breath; never doubt that what I did was for you and out of my pure love and devotion to you.