His head jerks back and he blinks several times. "What the fuck?"
"Rocco attacked me in my room. Threatened me about Donnie again. My dad came in with a gun and actually shot it at him. He missed, but still. I was shocked my dad even has a gun."
He goes very still and his jaw clenches. "When?"
"I don't know. Shortly after the pool incident, I asked my dad about moving out. He said he wants me to live with him to keep me safe and a few days later Rocco broke in and threatened me."
A vein throbs in his neck and his whole body is stiff when I press my palms to his chest.
"Please let me up. It's hard to leave you, but he'll expect me home. It's my birthday."
He shakes himself out of whatever thought he was stuck in and his smile returns. "Happy birthday," he says with a soft voice. "Come back tomorrow and I'll give you your present." He presses his lips to mine.
Our lips brush as I shake my head.
"Come back tomorrow." His hand squeezes my hip, and his urgent lips on my neck send a tremor to my core.
"It's really hard to get away from him." His kisses are so enticing, but I have to go.
He grunts and turns to his side, resting his palm flat on my tummy. "Tell your dad you're not marrying Renzo."
The thought of confronting my dad again makes my chest hurt. "I've told him before."
"Tell him you're with me."
"It won't go well." That's an understatement, but I don't want to hurt Foster's feelings.
"He likes me now," he says with a bit of humor in his voice, but it's not funny at all.
I hate to have to say it, but we need to have the truth between us. I stare up at the ceiling because I can't bear to see his face. "You're still not Italian and not from an influential family."
He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. The chasm between us is growing huge.
We both sit up. He's quiet for a long time. His lips press into a thin line and the warmth between us cools.
"You don't have any idea who killed your brother?" he asks out of the blue.
His mention of Ricky shoots a spear through my heart. "No," is my breathy whisper. "Please don't talk about it, Foster. It hurts too much."
He nods and pets my hair as he gazes into my eyes. "How 'bout your mom? You wonder how she died?"
His voice is gentle but his words pull the spear from my heart and cause bitter blood to spill out. "She had an unknown heart condition. I don't like to talk about it."
"Maybe it's time you looked into your mother's and brother's deaths."
He's hitting me with painful memories I keep concealed inside a murky catacomb never to be unearthed. So much has happened in the last few hours. It's all too much to process. "I'm weak right now, Foster. Going through a rough time."
"I know." He twists my hair behind my ear and grins. "I need you to get stronger. I'll give you my strength."
I nod and swallow the lump in my throat. "I'll talk to my dad about Renzo again. But give me some time before I tell him about us. This is all so new and we don't know how it will work out."
His eyebrows pinch together and his forehead creases. His gaze moves from my eyes to my mouth like he's measuring me and deciding whether to give in or not. Finally, he nods. "I'll give you some time, Mila, if that's what you need, but not long. Soon, I'm gonna make my intentions known."
"What are your intentions?"
He grins and his eyes sparkle. "You're gonna be mine."
I have to bite my lip to hide my surprise and full-on smile. He wants me to be his. As much as I want that too… "It feels so impossible."
"The Unstoppable Foster never loses." He kisses me with his normal casual confidence.
"I hope you're right." I'm not sure of anything. This all feels so ephemeral and fragile.
"I am right. We will make it through this somehow. Together."
My eyes sting and a tear escapes my eye. "I have to go."
He presses his forehead to mine and closes his eyes as his thumb wipes the moisture from my cheek. "Your life is gonna get better. All these dark days will be a distant memory."
More tears are about to spill over and I have to get up and get out of here before I totally collapse into one of my debilitating crying sessions. I don't want Foster to see me like that.
We break apart and he holds my hand as he walks me down to my car. Before I get in, he presses me up against the back door of my Jetta. "Trust me on this one."
I look down and nod. I hope he's right. I really do.
***
Back at home, I walk in on the guests sitting in the study drinking an after-dinner liquor.
"Mila!" My dad stands and walks over to give me a hug. "Are you all right? We were worried about you."
"I'm so sorry, Dad." I walk into the room and plaster on a smile worthy of an award. "I don't know what happened. I'm better now. I'm so happy you're all here for my birthday." My uncles and Donnie don't even look up from their collection of cigars on the table in front of them. Renzo and my aunts are offering me a stiff smile, attempting to be polite until they can return to their conversations.
"Sit next to me, sweetheart." My dad sits on the couch and pats the seat next to him.
Normally I would excuse myself and go to my room, but I've already acted suspiciously tonight. I have to stay and feign interest in their gossip and business chatter. I sit down and nod, but in my mind, I'm with Foster in his beautiful apartment with the green couch and view of the river. His hands are in my hair and he's telling me he's always thought of me. He's saying he's risked so much to be with me. He's saying my life is going to get better. It's not so hard to fake a smile when I think of those things.
Ten minutes later, Charlotte enters the room with a grand, three-tier birthday cake that looks more like a wedding cake. Everyone looks up from what they're doing and my father leads them in a round of "Tanti Auguiri a Te." After applause and another version of the song, I blow out the candles and make my secret wish.
"Please let Foster be right."
Chapter 13 Henry
My heart drums against my ribs as I take the elevator up to Foster's apartment.
I just texted my dad and said I was spending the night at the new Sinclair Luxury Spa and Hotel because Mrs. Sinclair had invited me to stay there to celebrate the grand opening. He likes it when I endorse new businesses in person. It gives them credibility and he expects they'll return the favor by attending more of my parties and donating. Of course, there is no new spa or grand opening, but my dad doesn't follow that stuff and will never know.
Foster swings the door open and swoops out to grab me by the waist and pull me inside. He's instantly kissing me and I'm laughing, trying to keep up with his enthusiasm. My bag falls to the floor as he bends me back. "What are you doing here?" His smile is brilliant.
"I told my dad I was staying at a spa."
His smile deepens. "Tell him you'll be staying there every night."
I huff out a laugh. "I'm not sure that'll work, but tonight I'm yours."