But I’m not in a hurry to find the others. Not because we’re working through all of the boxes of documents but because I could use a few minutes by myself.
I glance to my left and grin.
I’ll just take a short walk through the yard.
The estate is beautiful and vast. Carlo’s mother was a classy woman, and from what I gather, a little extra.
She loved fancy things, and that shines through in her home. Outside of museums, I’ve never seen so much artwork in my life. I’m afraid to touch anything. Rooms like the family room are comfortable to relax in, but other spaces are quite formal.
I’m sure it was a formidable place to host gatherings in. If she wanted to intimidate other families, all she had to do was invite them here.
I take a deep breath, sucking in the fresh air. It smells like it’s going to rain, and if the dark clouds overhead are any indication, we’ll have plenty of it by this evening.
But for now, the sun is still peeking through. I set off down a path that winds away from the house toward a row of trees.
I love being here. Even though we’ve only been in Seattle for a short time, it feels good. Like home. The air is fresh, and I just love how green everything is.
Not to mention, being with Rafe is a dream come true.
It was surreal last night, sitting in that room with Rafe’s parents and Uncle Igor as if we did it all the time as a couple. Rafe even held my hand at one point. I almost jerked back, afraid that Uncle Igor would notice.
And then I remembered.
We can be together.
So much warmth and joy filled me at the thought, I was surprised it didn’t radiate from me.
When I get to the edge of the trees, I’m surprised to find a tree house. And from the looks of it, it’s pretty sturdy.
I glance around to see if anyone is watching.
I’m a grown woman. I have no business climbing up into a tree house.
I bite my lip.
“But it looks like fun,” I mutter, and then decide…what the hell? Rafe and his brothers must have spent a lot of time up here when they were kids. And from what they said last night, it sounds like Elena played out here with them.
I wonder what they were like as kids? I grin as I reach the top of the ladder and step onto the platform.
I can just imagine Rafe running around here with a toy sword, playing pirate or space invaders with his siblings. I’m glad that he had the experience of growing up with a loving grandparent, and a safe haven to spend his summers.
I cross to the window and look outside at the grounds, surprised to see how far I wandered from the house.
It didn’t feel that far when I walked over here.
The green grass is bright, and the house stands grandly a couple of hundred yards away.
I’m glad my parents arrived. I’ve been worried about them. All of them, actually. Someone out there has a vendetta against the mafia, and they’re doing a good job of killing off entire families.
But why?
That’s the question. Of course, every organization has done their fair share of bad things. You’re friendly with some families and others you don’t trust and can’t stand.
But it’s never all of them.
Is this someone who’s been cast out of a family? Is this how they’re taking their revenge?
I don’t like it. And out here, by myself, I can admit that it scares the hell out of me. Because Rafe is a soldier in his organization. He’ll go in with his brothers and do his best to kill the bad guys.
But, in the process, he could get killed himself. I suppose that’s true every time he goes out on a mission for the family.
It’s one of the reasons I always said I wouldn’t marry someone connected to organized crime. I’ve seen too many women become widows far too young.
We’ve been lucky in my family. And the Martinellis have been fortunate, as well.
But when will that luck change?
“I don’t want to find out.” I take another deep breath. “And I can’t help who I love. I tried to deny it for years. I told myself that Rafe was lost to me and that it was for the best. But it was never for the best. Because all I did was long for him. I married Richard, hoping that I could fall in love with someone else and be happy.
“And we all know where that got me.”
I swallow hard and watch as the first fat drops start to fall from the sky.
“I’m done denying what my heart and head both tell me is right. Rafe is it for me. And I’m finally with him. The fact that he’s very much a part of his mafia family is just something I’ll have to learn to live with. And, for the immediate future, we have to figure out who’s trying to kill us and stay alive.”
I refuse to be a widow before he’s even asked me to marry him.
I yawn and then frown when I hear someone yelling my name. I glance around and narrow my eyes when I see Rafe running over the grass, calling for me.
“Hey!” I wave out the window and smile when he sees me. But he doesn’t look happy in the least.
He runs over to the tree house, faster than I’ve ever seen anyone move in my life. He lifts his phone to his mouth, but I can’t hear what he says.
And when he reaches me, he quickly climbs up, rushes over, and yanks me into his arms.
He’s panting, gasping for air.
“Hey, what happened? Rafe, what’s wrong?”
“We couldn’t find you.” He pulls back and frames my face in his hands. “Jesus Christ, A, don’t do that to me ever again. You scared the shit out of me.”
“I didn’t go far.”
“What if someone had nabbed you?”
“I’m right here.”
He just rocks us back and forth, clinging to me.
“I just got you back in my life. I can’t lose you again. Now or ever.”
“Funny.” I turn my face and kiss his chest. “I was just thinking the same. I want to wrap this all up so we can get on with our lives. And I need us both to live through it.”
“We will.”
“Promise.”
“I promise. I have no intention of being apart from you again. And the next time you want to go for a walk, just let me know, and I’ll go with you.”
“I wanted a few minutes alone,” I reply and then snort when he scowls as if I’ve hurt his feelings. “We’re allowed to have a few moments alone now and again. It’s healthy.”
“Then just warn me so I’m not off on a frantic wild goose chase.”
“Deal. I didn’t mean to scare you, Rafe.”
“I know. Hey, are you ever going to call me Rocco?”
I laugh and lead him to the ladder. “Hell, no.”
“Why?” He’s not mad now. He’s just grinning. He knows the answer to this.
“Because Rocco is a meathead’s name. And you’re no meathead.”
“I kinda am, honey.”
“No.” I bounce down to the ground and wait for him to join me so I can plant a kiss on his cheek. “You aren’t. Everyone else in the world can call you Rocco for all I care, but your name is Rafe. So that’s what I’ll call you.”
“Fine.”
“Do you really hate it that much?”
“No, but I have a reputation to uphold here. Rocco sounds tougher. I need people to think I’m a badass.”