Page 151 of When She Loves
”Do I sometimes wish I didn’t have to worry about whether he comes home alive after a trip away? Of course. But I also recognize that he wouldn’t be the man he is if he was removed from all of this.” She huffs and smiles. “And I really like who he is.”
Rafaele, no longer a don? It’s impossible to imagine. The man was born to lead. And the truth is…I admire that about him. He’s got men who rely on him and a family that thrives under his leadership. He would never leave that behind, and I could never ask him to do so.
So if I choose him, I have to embrace all of it. No more rebellion, no more resistance, no more denying the reality of my situation. I would have to beall in.
I press a kiss to Vale’s cheek. “I think I need to get some sleep. My head feels like it’s about to explode.”
She gives me another hug and gets up. “Take the time you need. I won’t let him rush you.”
* * *
The next day, my breakfast magically appears in my room before I even ask for it. Damn, Vale is well on her way to getting the sister of the year award. I eat my eggs and toast and drink my coffee while sitting by the window and watching birds make a nest in the tree in the backyard.
Around midday, I hear Rafaele’s voice outside my door.
“Can I talk to her?”
“She will come to you when she wants to,” Vale says firmly.
“Will you tell her I’d like to see her?”
“I will, Rafaele. Can you stop hovering by her door like a ghost and go downstairs? My staff don’t know what to do with you.”
I lift my hand to my lips. He’s been hovering outside my room? I tiptoe toward the door and press my ear against it. There’s the sound of retreating footsteps.
Vale did the right thing shooing him away, because I still don’t know what I want to do.
Do I miss him? Yes.
I miss his touch, and his kisses, and the way he looked at me like I was the most precious thing in the world. But will we ever get that back given everything that has happened?
I’m not sure.
When six p.m. rolls around, I start getting ready for the concert. My suitcase is still lying open on the floor. I never really unpacked when I arrived here. I dig through the clothes I brought and pull out a forest-green dress I haven’t worn yet. It’s low cut with a bow right below my chest, billowy long sleeves, and a flowy skirt that reaches my mid-thigh. I let my hair out of its braid and swipe on a bit of makeup.
When I’m finished, I walk up to the mirror and do a twirl. I’m a bit overdressed for a rock concert, but that’s just because I feel like it. It’s definitelynotbecause I want to look good in case I bump into Rafaele downstairs.
He’s not there anyway. I walk into the empty living room and ignore the small twinge of disappointment.
Vale appears a short while later. “Ready?”
“Yes. Your husband isn’t here to send you off?”
“He and Rafaele are talking business in his office.”
Oh. I swallow and paste on a smile. “Let’s go then.”
We get into the car waiting outside for us and arrive at the venue accompanied by a driver and two guards. When we arrive, the opening act is already playing. We head up to the VIP area and grab a couple beers.
“This band’s great,” Vale says, her head bopping along to the music.
The VIP area quickly fills up with more and more people. Our guards are standing off to the side, close enough that they’d be able to reach us in no time if needed. I turn back toward the stage and focus on the music.
Are Damiano and Rafaele still talking to each other back at the house? I wonder what they’re discussing. With Nero gone, Rafaele will have to make a lot of changes to how he runs things.
Frustration zaps through me. Ugh. I came here so that Iwouldn’tthink about him, but here I am, thinking about him all the same.
A prickling sensation spreads over my neck, like someone’s watching me. I turn my head and lock onto a pair of ice-blue eyes on the other side of the VIP area.
