I shake my head. “I’m not talking about the court system. Do you know how many years it takes to be put to death after sentencing? Too many. A lot of criminals die of natural causes before the state gets around to it. That’s unacceptable to me. The whole time that person is alive, their victims live in fear. I don’t think the world is worse off without them in it.”
Nantes nods, thoughtfully picking at his salad. “I guess you’d just have to make sure the person was guilty. Not victim blaming or anything, we should always listen, but there have been mistaken identity cases and stuff.”
“Not as common anymore with DNA and cameras and all the technology we have, but I agree. Due process is necessary.” I take a sip of my wine. “Sorry if that’s morbid. I get upset about the injustice of it all.”
“It’s not morbid. I have no love or sympathy for someone who could hurt a child. Or anyone, honestly. I’ve treated my fair share of rape cases in the ER.”
“You get it, then.”
“More than I’d like.” He reaches across the table and puts his hand over mine. “You’re a good man, Van. I always knew you were.”
Would he still think that if he knew what I really am?
“So, if you were planning to stay at your sister’s for a few days, you’re more than welcome to stay here. I have two extra rooms. Sounds like you could use the time away.”
I start to object, but the idea of heading back to Chicago so soon isn’t appealing. Staying with Nantes and his family sounds kind of nice.
“Are you sure I wouldn’t be putting you out?”
“Not at all. I’ll be working most of the time, but maybe I can take an afternoon off and we can go into Madison and get up to some trouble.”
“Like old times.”
“Yeah.” He smiles. “It’s good to see you again. I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Nan. We suck at keeping in touch.”
He laughs. “We do. Let’s change that.”
“Deal.”
I dig into my pasta again. Being with Nantes again is comfortable and familiar, as if no time has passed at all. He’s just like the kid I used to hang out with, but obviously more mature. Right now, he’s throwing me a lifeline that I definitely need. I’ve got three days to let things cool down before I have to show up for work.
Staying here would be great.
“I’d love to stay for a few days.”
Nantes’s smile is bright. “Great. Nonna’s gonna lose her shit. Get ready for a baking spree.”
“I can definitely handle that.”
Chapter 4
Nantes
After dinner, we clean up my kitchen, falling back into a familiar rhythm as we load the dishwasher. It’s so weird how it’s been years but not much has changed between us. The only challenge with having him here again is the reminder that the crush I felt for so long isn’t completely buried.
Vanian is still charming and funny, but his boyish good looks have matured into a sultry sexiness. He has a few tattoos peeking out from under the sleeves of his shirt, and I’d like to know if he has more.
“When did you get your first tattoo?”
He glances over at me as he rinses a glass. “Uh, freshman year. I was walking around the city outside campus and there was a brand-new tattoo shop doing a grand opening and offering flash works for, like, a hundred bucks or something.” He lifts his shirt and tugs the waist of his jeans down a bit, pointing to the shamrock there. He chuckles. “Lame, but I thought I was a badass.”
“It’s not lame. It’s cute.”
“Tattoos shouldn’t be described as cute, Nan.”
I laugh, poking him. “Fair.”
