Her sigh was subtle and sexy as she scooted on the seat, turning toward me. “So, are you trying to tell me that you have a dangerous side under that masculine, strong, and protector stance?”
“I’m trying to tell you that I don’t like anyone being taken advantage of and will do what’s necessary to keep them safe.”
The way she looked at me, the fierceness in her eyes and the extraordinary resolve was as beautiful as everything else about her. The rain continued to fall.
“Would you believe Bruno contacted me the other night?”
“What?” I leaned forward. “How?”
“I don’t know. He had my number. I blocked him after his call.”
“What did he want?” I gritted out.
She shook her head. “I could swear he was trying to warn me. How strange is that?”
“He’s working with Delgado.” Maybe I was too blunt, but she needed to know.
Her mouth twisted the same way her fingers were doing around her glass.
“The night Jacob Jones took the life of someone I didn’t even know it was raining. When I saw him outside my building the other night it was raining. Every bad memory, every horrible experience occurred when it was raining. Even tonight, the rain started just before I knew you were alive. Every single time. Rain. I don’t know if that’s fate. Why? I know it sounds crazy, but as a child, I thought the rain brought good luck. If something made the flowers grow and gave the birds and wild animals water, then it had to be good magic. Right? What happened? Did Mother Nature curse me? Did I do something horrible in my life, so she’d hate me?”
“You could do nothing horrible in your life.”
“Now I get to say you’re the one who doesn’t know me. I’ve done plenty of horrible things.”
“Name one.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re going to need to trust me.”
“I do trust you, Valentina. The question is do you trust me?”
“Of course I do. What you’ve done for me and my daughter, the kindness you’ve shown and well… the other things too have been… Incredible.” She laughed as if embarrassed.
I’d seen victims begin to spiral even when protected in court. The signs were clear. She’d gone from witness to victim and her mind was finally catching up to the reality of what we were both facing. I had to pull her back to a safe place.
“Other things, huh. Well, if you trust me then give me your hand.”
“Why?”
“You doubt me now? Do you think I’d ever steer you into danger or something that you couldn’t handle?” When she didn’t answer right away, I took the drink from her hand, placing both on the table. As I stood, I held out my hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to create a new and better memory in the rain. But only if you fully trust me.”
Valentina glanced at my hand for a few seconds before grasping my fingers, allowing me to pull her to a standing position.
When I tugged her against me, she finally smiled for the first time since the fire. “As I told you. I do trust you. Completely and without question.”
“I’ll remember you said that.” The deck was oversized, covering the entire length of the back of the house. The porch roof on a portion allowed guests to stay dry while still enjoying the outside. I kept her in my arms, rubbing my hand down her back.
When I started moving back and forth, she pushed her hand against my chest. “What are you doing?”
“As I said, creating decent memories to break the curse.”
“And just how to you plan on doing that?”
I continued moving her from side to side, my dancing skills leaving much to be desired, but she didn’t seem to mind. When I twirled her, the sound of her laughter was sweet music. I brought her close once again, this time more forcefully before dipping her low and slow.
