“I know no more than you. You can always check to see where he is.”
The men he trusts most, Faro and his brothers, were amused by Carlo's gesture of the tracking device. I'd been shocked andoverwhelmed by it. Every day, he restores the faith my father once obliterated because I know there is a man I can trust with my life, my happiness and my heart, and that's my husband.
“Rory wants to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow if you’re free.”
“I’d love that.” I love that Faro’s wife and I have become such good friends. “I have a few more gifts to find, too.” Carlo’s mother is difficult to shop for, but I’m determined. “Will you guard us on our outing, Warden?”
He cracks a smile at the nickname. “Of course.”
“You and Rory should come to dinner next Friday night,” I suggest. “My mom will be staying with us through Christmas before we spend Sylvester in Las Vegas. I’m going to ask her if she wants to move in with us while she's here.”
“In the penthouse?”
“Well… maybe she’d have her own apartment in the building.” Carlo enjoys ravishing me wherever he finds me when he gets home, and I have no complaints about that. “I know she’d enjoy seeing Aurora again.”
“I’m going to visit my father up at Attica that day, but we’ll be there if I’m not back too late.”
My joy fizzles for a second until I remember my father's actions are not my fault. “I hope he’s doing alright.”
Faro shrugs. “It’s no picnic, but the Trio looks after their own when they’re inside. Carlo makes sure of it. Speaking of your husband, it looks like I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“What do you…” My words trail off when I see Carlo waiting for me in the auditorium. After bidding Faro a quick farewell, I rush to greet him.
He looks incredibly attractive in his three-piece suit, but that’s not all that draws the eyes of my instructors and fellow students. A monster lurks in their midst – dark, powerful and impossible to ignore. All these regular people tremble and shrink under his cold and forbidding gaze, but I don’t. When I look into his brown eyes, I detect the warmth and affection he showers me with daily.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, excited to see him.
“You said your last exam was a performance. I wanted to hear you sing.”
“You hear me sing all the time.”
“True, but I love seeing you on stage. What will you sing?”
“Just an old show tune about a woman hopelessly in love with a man who’s no good.”
“So… it’s about us?”
Laughing, I shake my head. “You’re good to me. The song was one of Beppe’s favorites.” His gaze softens, and I know my eyes are sparkling with emotion when he cups my face, bringing his lips down to mine for a kiss.
“Francesca? We haven’t got all day, please,” my vocal coach calls, impatiently.
“It’s a good thing that teacher is a woman,” Carlo growls in my ear.
After begging him to behave, I walk toward the stage. I smooth down my skirt as another music student starts to play the piano for me. Everyone is silent, watching me, but there’s only one person inthe audience I wish to perform for. Taking a deep breath, I let the music carry me away. For him.
***
“Are you sure you don’t mind us running off on you tonight?” I ask Mom a few nights later when I’m getting ready. “I could ask Carlo to get another ticket.”
Mom shakes her head. “No, Carlo will have plenty of time to grow tired of having his mother-in-law underfoot, and I’m not sure I’d enjoy the performance surrounded by a large crowd.” My face falls until Mom tuts at me, saying, “Don’t make that sad face, Francesca. I’ve told you I’m quite content. Go have fun tonight. I’m going to spend the evening with Dinora and her husband. He’s invited his brother over, too. Poor man’s been a widower for nearly four years now.”
My eyebrows raise. “Really, Mom?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Don’t get any matchmaking ideas in your head.” I smirk until her voice drops and she leans in closer. “But on another note, I received a letter that I’ll be writing a response to soon. It was like an early Christmas gift.”
Our eyes meet and a silent conversation is exchanged in a heartbeat. Ronan has written to our mother. My brother is not a letter-writing man by any stretch of the imagination, but I love that he’s heeded my request and given her some joy.
“Anything you’d like for me to add in my response?” Mom asks.
