She sits there basking in the sun, a martini in her hand. Her legs are so long, stretched out on the lounge chair like an exotic animal. I want to sit down beside her and run my hand up her thigh, but I know that won’t go over well. So I occupy myself in the best way possible, by stepping into the chilled waters of the pool.
I want to tell her about Carmine, but I find myself drifting to more personal matters. Yes, the steps I’ve taken since arriving in Italy have been fruitful, but there are things I want Marlena to understand before we get any further.
“I think I owe you an explanation,” I begin.
She gives me a pouty look that I can’t read. It’s halfway between exasperated and interested. I take it as a good sign, and continue.
“I’ve been married before. Obviously, since you know I have a son. My first wife’s name was Alessia. She died when Frankie was a young boy.” This is hard. I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be until I started. Now, halfway through the story, I need to keep going. I pause to find my strength to continue, even though the emotions my words dredge up are painful.
“It was an arranged marriage. I kept to myself when I was younger. My father was the leader of the family, and all I wanted to do was follow in his footsteps,” I explain, going back even further in time to fully describe my situation. “I wasn’t the kind of kid who had a different girl every night. I really wanted something meaningful. I wanted to meet someone and fall in love, but my father didn’t see it that way.”
Marlena is watching me intently. She’s caught up in my story, and I feel like that’s a good sign, even though repeating this tale is like chewing on broken glass. “He arranged for me to meet with the daughter of one of his business associates. It was a good match for political reasons, but it was also the best thing that ever happened to me. I did fall in love, and she fell in love with me.”
Marlena softens, and I can see a faint smile tugging at her lips. We’re connecting, and that gives me the courage to finish. “Frankie was the best thing that ever happened to either of us. We were a family, a real family, not in the sense of a business partnership, but mother, father, and son. And then… she got sick.”
I swallow the heartache that erupts at those five small words. I found myself back in the hospital that fateful evening, learning that my wife would not survive her cancer. “I reacted poorly,” I admit.
“No,” Marlena says despite herself. She’s got tears in her eyes, and I can tell that she’s moved by my story.
“In my line of work, I’m used to being in control,” I say with a cold laugh. “But no one can control cancer. When she died, I lashed out. I swore I would never remarry, and I closed off that part of my life.”
Marlena sits quietly, waiting for me to gather my thoughts.
“I know you think this is all a business arrangement, but I really care about you,” I say. “I’m sorry I didn’t explain what was going on before bringing you here. But you have to understand that I couldn’t bear to see you hurt. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
She nibbles her bottom lip, considering my apology.
“We’re going to find your brother,” I promise her. “I just didn’t think my heart could withstand another loss.”
She sets her glass down on the table beside her chair and stands. I watch carefully as she walks toward me, closing the distance with determined steps.
She squats down beside me and puts her arms around my shoulders.
“I’m not proud of what I did,” I say, even though no more words are necessary. “But I would do it again if it meant keeping you safe.”
“Shh,” she coos, pressing her lips close to my ear.
She kisses me there, and her lips are warmer than the sun. I reach around to take hold of the back of her neck, pulling her around so I can kiss her properly. She loses her balance and lands in my lap. We both laugh awkwardly. It seems like we’re starting fresh and don’t know how to be around each other.
She lowers her eyelids seductively and kisses me again. I fall into the embrace with all the energy of a twenty-two-year-old. There she is, the love of my life, seated comfortably in my arms. I feel a surge of relief mixed with arousal. I want nothing more than to sink into her, to feel her body come alive beneath me.
But she stops, putting a hand on my chin to break the kiss. “I forgive you,” she says bluntly. “But there are a few things I want to add to my list of demands.”
I smile, listening to all I need to hear. I don’t care what she asks for. I’m going to give it to her. She could demand all the gold in Fort Knox and I would hand it over, though I know she’s not the kind of person who thinks about material items. I relax my grip on her backside, giving her space to talk.
“You have to promise not to lie to me again,” she says.
“Done,” I reply without thinking about it. I know it will be a hard promise to keep, but she’s worth it. Next time, I’ll figure out a way to let her in on whatever’s going on without frightening her. I’m not sure how, but I’ll come up with something.
“And you have to find my brother,” she continues.
That one’s a little harder to promise. I don’t want to sour the mood by bringing up the fact that I’m not sure if he’s alive ordead. My hope is that he’s alive somewhere and that we can either rescue him or bargain with Andretti for his release.
Marlena senses my reluctance, and her body tightens. I close my eyes, lining up my words before delivering my message. “I promise to do everything I can to locate your brother. And I promise to stay positive about the whole situation.”
She relaxes again, kissing me lightly on the lips. “I guess that’s the best I can hope for.”
“I really do want to find him,” I assure her.
