Shot Down
Vodingo huffed, “why should I believe you?”
“Why would I come here and tell you it’s not me? Wouldn’t I simply find another way to convince Zorah to run away from her husband?” He threw his hands up frustratedly, “I’m worried someone is doing this because they know you will automatically presume it’s me and you’re wasting time chasing me as the lead instead of finding who is out to get her away from you.”
Icaro gave a laugh, “do you really think you’re the only lead we’re chasing? Do you think the woman is the only place we’re putting all our resources?”
“Let me help.”
“We don’t need your help,” Vodingo spoke up again. “It is my job to keep my Donna safe. Not yours. I don’t need your help.”
“A fool would refuse additional support,” Caiu Giarre gave a frustrated kick of his feet. “Why are you both so stubborn?”
“Because we don’t trust you!” Vodingo shot back finally moving to sit opposite a man he once called friend. “You are purposefully trying to thwart Icaro’s relationship with his wife. What kind of friend does such a thing?”
“I know she is miserable with him. He damn well kidnapped her and forced her here for no reason other than to keep your wife, Vodingo, yours, safe. Did you know Icaro threatened to shoot her if Zorah didn’t comply with the wedding?” The Walrus’ voice raised with irritation.
“Yes.” Vodingo laughed. “Did you think Icaro didn’t already tell me this? It was before he knew she was my bride, but I also know Icaro would never have hurt Sidonia.”
“How do you know this? You are so certain your buddy who kills wantonly could not kill someone standing in the path of him and his bride?”
“Because she is the only family Zorah has, Walrus. Zorah is his one. Do you understand the meaning, the significance of this? Hurting her would cause him pain. The last thing he wants is for her to hurt. Do you really believe he would take the one person who she has relied on for support her entire life and remove her from Zorah’s life? Use your head. He could no more shoot Sidonia than he could Zorah because Sidonia’s death would destroy Zorah’s soul.” Vodingo waved at Zorah, “the same reason I could never cause Zorah pain. I know how much, how deep his love for his bride is, because I have the same with my wife. She is my world. Hurting Zorah means Sidonia would be devasted. One doesn’t exist without the other.”
Zorah looked at Icaro and he shrugged. “Is he wrong?”
“No.” Zorah whispered. “I love her more than myself.”
“And she loves you more than she loves anything, Zorah. I know you think if you leave Icaro, you will leave her behind, but do you know what it will do to her?” Vodingo questioned her quietly. “I am her husband, and I have her heart, but Zorah as her sister, you have her soul. Leaving her will destroy her. If you leave Icaro, she goes with you, and I know it. Even if she and I were together for decades, her love for me would pale in comparison for the love she has for you.”
“I want her to be happy,” Zorah sniffed.
“She is happiest when you are with her. She cries all the time thinking you are pulling away from her because you’re going to leave her behind. Do not break my wife’s heart, please.”
Zorah looked upwards trying to quell her tears as Icaro gave an impatient hiss.
“Vodingo, enough. You will not guilt Zorah into doing anything she does not want to do. Whether she stays or leaves, it is her choice. No matter where she is, we’ll ensure Sidonia always has access to her. Zorah and I agreed today, she will not run away. If she decides I am not her future, she will allow me to set her up somewhere where she will be safe and secure and where Sidonia will be able to reach her.”
“You have actually discussed this, then.” Walrus leaned forward excitedly, his elbows on his knees as he studied the couple on the chair. “You’re going to let her go?”
“Against all the ways it would break my heart,” he didn’t look away from the other’s man’s questioning stare, “I only want her happiness.”
“What if her happiness is with me?”
“It’s not.”
The two words caused the three men to look to Zorah curiously.
“Mr. Giarre, while I am flattered by your attention, you have to know I do not have the same feelings for you which you claim to have for me. I didn’t have the same immediate attraction you claim to have experienced. There was no grand feeling in my heart when I first laid eyes on you. I didn’t feel a love at first sight or whatever it is you’re claiming to feel.” She didn’t look away from his crestfallen expression, “you’re a good-looking man but I felt no more desire to be with you than I did any of the men I danced with in your club. You simply don’t do it for me, Mr. Giarre.”
“And he does?” he waved at Icaro. “I see the way you look at him. I’ve seen the rage in your face. I see the disgust on your features when you think of the way he disrespected his so-called bond with you by screwing everything in a skirt.”
“Don’t forget the ones in pants, trousers and the naked ones too,” she shot back smartly. “I can tell you this. The first time I saw Icaro, I nearly fell to my knees from nothing more than sheer desire right in the choir room of a church. The reasons I’m upset with him is because I’m jealous and angry because I want him to myself. I don’t want to share what should be mine and mine alone. You could have slept with two hundred women, Mr. Giarre and I don’t give a flying fig. However, where Icaro is concerned, even one makes me upset and it’s for no other reason than I loathe the fact someone else put their hands on what is meant to be mine.”
Icaro rubbed her shoulder, “Zorah.”
“No. Icaro. It’s okay. I prayed on this today, we both did. We prayed together on this. Remember. We prayed I would get over my jealousy. We prayed together I would be able to forgive. You prayed to be the strength I need to move forward. I am putting more stock, more trust, in the power of our prayers than I am in some man who doesn’t know my real heart thinking his words will make me look at him as a more favorable choice. Frankly, Mr. Giarre, coveting the wife of your neighbor, especially one you allegedly call your friend, is a sin worse than someone who engaged in premarital sex before he was ever formally introduced to his wife.”
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