We arrive back at my apartment, and I put on some music. I grab a bottle of wine from my refrigerator and pour us each a glass. Sitting on my sofa, we continue talking about our lives. It’s amazing how much we can say without venturing into dangerous territory. I learn all about the summer camp he used to go to and his friends from the university. I tell him as much as I can aboutDanny without revealing my suspicions. I also share one or two stories about previous boyfriends until Frankie asks me to stop.
“I don’t need to know who you dated in the past,” he says seriously. “The only thing that’s important to me is that you’re here now.”
“Do you want to spend the night?” I ask him point-blank.
He glances over at me, his smile growing to gigantic proportions. I can instantly sense what he’s thinking and hurry to quantify my invitation.
“I’m not ready to have sex,” I blurt out. “I just thought it might be nice to sleep together.”
“Just sleep?” he asks, slightly disappointed.
“For now,” I say quickly. I’m pleased that he’s so excited to sleep with me; it makes me feel wanted. But I need to protect my journalistic integrity, which means no actual intimate contact.
I’m walking a fine line between moral activities and immoral ones. I tell myself that it’s safe, that Frankie would never hurt me and I’ll be able to put on the brakes if things go too far. But it’s not Frankie I need to worry about; it’s myself. By now, I’m well aware that he won’t do anything I’m not comfortable with. That means the ball is in my court, and I’m the only one who can pull the cork and let the genie out of the bottle.
I push all my worries aside and insist that I want him to stay. He agrees, opening his arms for a hug. I put my wineglass aside and go to him, laying my head happily on his shoulder. We watch a few stupid videos on YouTube before heading to the bedroom.
It’s all I can do to keep my hands to myself. Lying there in bed with him beside me feels almost like heaven. I wonder if I’llever experience something this sweet after all is said and done. Frankie will probably hate me, and his father will probably come after me for revenge.
But for the moment, my secret is safe, and I’m free to enjoy the handsome man in my bed. I throw an arm around him and close my eyes to sleep. It’s crazy, but I actually feel safe with Frankie by my side.
CHAPTER 19
FRANKIE
It’s a glorious morning when I wake in Sofia’s bed. I try not to get turned on, but I can’t help it. She’s so beautiful and peaceful, lying there with her eyes closed. But I have to get a move on. I’m scheduled to work with Uncle Gio again today, and I can’t be late.
I kiss her forehead and ease my way out of bed, careful not to wake her. I find my shirt and my shoes. I slept in my pants because I didn’t trust myself not to. She doesn’t have any pajamas big enough for a man, which makes me happy. That means she doesn’t get any male visitors, and I’m free to stake my claim.
I leave a note on the kitchen table, knowing how disappointing that will be when she wakes up. Hopefully, I can smooth things over with some flowers or another dinner date. She knows I’m busy, she just doesn’t know why.
I get back into my car, pulling over to wait in the drive-thru line for a cup of coffee. I grab another one for Gio, just in case he hasn’t had any yet. And I pull into my family’s compound rightjust in time. Glad I always keep a spare set of clothes in my car when I spot Uncle Gio.
“Where have you been?” Gio asks me.
I climb out of the car, handing him the coffee cup I procured. “I had a date,” I say.
“Same girl?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say with a laugh. If he’s picturing me as some kind of Don Juan, he’s crazy. I had enough trouble convincing Sofia to see something in me. I’m not going to press my luck.
“So, did you seal the deal?” Gio wonders.
“No,” I snap. “But that’s none of your business.”
“Maybe you should tell Marlena to expect another guest at her baby shower,” Gio suggests.
I shake my head. As good as things are between Sofia and me, we’re not at the meet the parents stage. That is going to take a whole lot of soul-searching and a great deal of preparation on my part. I’m going to have to explain a few things that I’ve been deliberately avoiding, or Sofia might say something wrong that will get us both in trouble. I know her brother died, and that she’s still dealing with her grief. I don’t want to spring my mobster family on her just yet.
“What are we up to today?” I ask.
Gio waves me over to his car, and I sit in the passenger seat. “A little bit of everything,” he answers, pulling back out of the driveway.
We ease out onto the road, and we’re off. He’s not kidding when he says a little bit of everything. We cross town at least fourtimes, hitting up half a dozen restaurants. We meet with city council members and people who were recently released from jail.
In the past, whenever there was business being conducted, I was asked to step outside. Now I’m privy to all the private conversations, though I’m not sure that’s a good thing. I’m learning a lot about corruption in our fair city, and it’s a tough pill to swallow. I didn’t know how far up the food chain my father’s connections went, but I’m starting to understand that he’s basically running the show.
At the end of the day, Gio and I return home. I’m tired, but I’m not off the hook yet. Dad calls both of us into a meeting with Edoardo, the head of security. Dad doesn’t even ask me how my day was; he gets straight down to business.
