God, how a man could break your heart, I thought. Especially when they seemed to need mothering. It was rare that the Fausti men showed vulnerability, and only second to crying, it tore my heart out. I reached for his hand and he let me take it.
“Yes,” I answered honestly. “I would have.”
“Dimmi perchè.”
“Tell you why,” I repeated. “Why…I…” I searched for the right words to explain this in a manner he would understand and perhaps take to heart. “I can’t speak for her, but from a woman’s point of view, I’m almost positive she’s worried about you. The Stones have some pull where we live.” They’re not bad people, I wanted to say, just hurt, but knew it would do no good.
“I can take care of this.”
“Perhaps.”
Romeo was used to having things a certain way. In Italy, his family had connections, not to mentionwerethe connections. There was no one except for crazed Giovi and Nemours who would challenge their clout. Even in America they were known for being both romantic and ruthless. However, where Brando and I were from, there was a different set of rules. What matters in, say, New York doesn’t make a difference in Louisiana, and vice versa.
“I wouldn’t want to take that chance. She probably doesn’t either.”
“I can take care of her. I will keep her safe.”
“It was one night, Romeo.”
“That is enough time to touch love.”
I knew from experience that it was. But it could also be frightening, especially if you were engaged to another man, your life was in that small town, and his family was full of cops. Not to mention finding out that the man you suddenly found yourself having strong feelings for was involved in dangerous business. A Fausti. Aside from their lifestyle, that alone was dangerous enough.
He must’ve taken my silence for disagreement, because he waved his hand in ano mattergesture, and all traces of softness vanished like smoke in the wind.
“Go after her,” I whispered. “You’re wasting time here.”
Little bugs flitted in the golden air around us. He shook his head, the movement stirring them up and making them disband before they came back again. “It is for the best she is there now. I would not want to involve her in this.”
“But this is your life.”
“It is not usually this…” He lifted one hand then let it drop. “Eventful.”
Ah, yes, the plague had moved in and caused everyone to scramble. Me. And he had made promises to his brother in regards to that deadly disease.
Brando had the right to ask as his brother, but since the deal involved me, I had rights too. I took a deep breath in and choked a bit. Some of the bugs went down.
Romeo slapped me on the back, helping me dislodge them.
“All right now, Sissy?”
“I think so,” I croaked. My throat burned. I attempted to say what I had planned, but Romeo narrowed his eyes, his thick brows lowering in concentration. He was attempting to decode my jumble.
“Repeat this once more.”
No, I thought, at first. I knew that tone and the look on his face. He had heard me, but to clarify, in case something got lost, he wanted me to say it again. I stuck my chin up, the posture giving me more courage than I felt. “If something happens to my husband, I want Vincenzo to take care of me.”
Dammit, Brando!I hated that I even had to go there. I hated that he didn’t give me the choice, because if something happened to him, it didn’t matter whom he appointed to take care of me. I belonged next to him. Some people can live without a heart. There was no way that I could or would.
“I want my husband to release you of your obligations. I am not—”
He took me by the arms and shook me a bit. “Vincenzo?” He was appalled. “Over me!”
“Romeo—it’s not like that! You don’t love me!”
“He does?”
“No. But it’s different. You shouldn’t have to watch over me. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your life because of some ridiculous pact!”
