Admitting my feelings for Maximus is one of the hardest, and most vulnerable, things I’ve ever done. And now I’m sick with nervousness. I close my eyes to help with the nausea coming over me. A rejection from him now will wound me, more than anything else that’s happened between us.
At him wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, my eyes fly open. Maximus brings his face close to mine and whispers, “Loyalty ‘til death,Mrs. Silvestri.”
My lips are trembling when Maximus pulls me to him and kisses me.
A vow.
A title.
A commitment.
These are the greatest gifts I could ever want.
Logic and flowers be damned.
Maximus
“Hello, Tristano,” I greet while tucking my weapon into its holster.
“While you’ve been busy touring Paris, your brother has gotten engaged.”
“Get the fuck out.”
Tristano clears his throat in warning over the phone, but I ignore it. This is Rafael we’re talking about, the brother who’d rather lose a finger than get married. “Who and why?” I ask.
“Carina Nardone, and as to the why? He said it’s because she’s offered to feed us information in exchange for the protection of the Silvestri name.”
“Holy shit.”
“Indeed,” Tristano says. “I’m not sure if this plan of his is foolish or brilliant, but the fucker didn’t ask me before he agreed. Typical of Rafael.”
I grin and huff out a laugh. “True.”
“When you return, we’ll need to discuss the events that transpired in Paris.” He’s back to being the head of the family, and there are times when I wonder if Tristano ever relinquishes that role, even when no one is around. I don’t envy the authority or the burden associated with it. “Since Caruso’s in line for a seat on the council, it’ll make him that much more powerful, ergo, harder to destroy. But maybe Rafael will be able to divest the Nardones of vital information during this farce of an engagement.”
Tristano swears under his breath, and I can picture him scowling. “Regardless of all that, I’m relieved you and your wife are well,” he says. “I wouldn’t have arranged for you to meet up with Fontaine if I’d known how much risk would be involved.”
“I know, and I wouldn’t have brought Emilia with me either. We’ll have to be more mindful in the future about these things.”
“I can tell you care for her, Max. Don’t bother denying it. I raised you and know you better than anyone. This woman has changed you.”
A cross between irritation and anger spreads through my body. “What the fuck are you trying to say?”
His exhale is long and loud. “That I’m happy for you. And perhaps a little jealous.”
My eyes go wide. Emilia’s brow creases with concern, and she stops in the middle of putting on her coat. Then she tilts her head in question, and I give her a wink. Her lovely face goes back to glowing with happiness, and I bask in it. Looking at her, I completely understand what my brother is saying. Having her light in my life, that of myragazza solare, is the thing I want most in the world. My revenge has transformed into a need for justice, to correct the past’s wrongs, but it doesn’t mean more to me than my wife.
Nothing will.
My voice softens, as it usually does when I speak about my wife. “She reminds me of our mother, Tristano. Emilia is joy and peace yet strength and courage. I understand our father a lot better now.”
“Yes,” my brother says slowly. From his tone, it’s obvious to me he’s thinking. When he speaks again, there are no traces of longing in his voice. “When are you coming home? It’s not safe for you to be in theUnione Corse’s territory after killing one of their men who’s higher up the chain of command.”
“I’ve arranged for his death to remain concealed until we touch US soil. That’ll give me enough time to do one final thing before we leave.”
“Very well. Safe travels, brother.”
“Thank you,” I say. After I tuck my cell phone in my pocket, I face Emilia. “Ready?”
