“He’s been amazing, if a little overbearing at times.”
“I’m well acquainted with the type. My brother, my husband, my sons, my friends’ husbands, they’re all the same. I think it’s in their DNA, and who doesn’t want to be loved and protected like that?”
“I’m definitely not unhappy. Fiero got me out of a bad situation, and being treated like this is new for me. I’m still processing it all and how fast it’s happened.”
“I’m sorry to hear that but glad you have him and happy you are away from that situation. If I can do anything to help, I’m only a phone call away.”
“There is one thing,” I say over a smile. “Catarina told me when I met you I was to ask for your apple cake and apple cannoli recipes, so could I have them?”
After a run and a swim, I take a shower and settle on the couch on the patio with a romance book I found in the guest room. Fiero still isn’t home, and he said he’d be late, so I haven’t bothered cooking dinner yet. I already made the coleslaw and caprese salad and prepped the chicken breasts and sauce for the parmigiana. So, all I have to do is cook it and make the garlic bread. I asked Fiero to tell me when he’s thirty minutes away so I can start cooking.
I’m engrossed in the book when my cell pings. All the blood drains from my face when I read the text from Cesco.
Don’t think this frees you. What was his is now mine. I’ll be seeing you soon, Mom.
Nausea swims up my throat, and I race into the house barely making it to the downstairs bathroom in time. I’m shaking all over as I expel the contents of my stomach. Cesco can’t force me to marry him, but he’s always wanted me, and I don’t think he’s going to back down.
“What’s wrong?” Fiero asks the instant he walks into the kitchen and sees my pale face.
I quietly hand him my phone with the screen opened to the text message while I plate our chicken. Everything else is laid out on the table inside. It’s a little breezy tonight, and it felt too chilly on the patio to eat outside.
“He’s not touching you.” He tosses my phone down and hauls me into his arms. “Don’t worry about that little shit. I’ll handle him.” He kisses me, temporarily washing away my fear. “Okay?” he asks, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
I nod even though it’s not really okay. I forced Fiero to tell me everything last night. Dominic being dead is a huge relief, but it didn’t go according to plan, and that’s my fault. Guilt is all-consuming on several levels. “Did you arrange it?”
He sighs, holding me closer. “It’s done. The body was dumped early this morning, and the news is out. I’ve just been hauled over the coals at an emergency meeting of the board.”
“Did they buy it?”
“Yes. All but Massimo because he knows about you and he knows I’m behind this.”
“Did you tell him?”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t say anything, and he didn’t ask, and that’s the way it’ll stay for now.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “He’s furious with me, and I don’t blame him. I put him in this position.”
“That’s not good. I never wanted to cause trouble between you and your best friend.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll blow over eventually.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
He shrugs, looking unruffled. “Then I’ll deal with whatever cards I’m dealt. As long as I have you, I don’t care.”
“You can’t mean that!” I shuck out of his hold to turn off the oven. “He’s your oldest, closest friend.”
“Nothing will change that, but if it’s a choice between you or him, I’ll always choose you.”
My jaw drops to the floor. “Fiero, you’ve known me less than a week.”
“It’s a week tomorrow, and time doesn’t matter. Neither does age. All that matters is how you make me feel and this indisputable sense of rightness I feel when I’m with you. It’s like Cat said. We’re soulmates.”
“It doesn’t make sense. You can’t pick me over Massimo.”
“Kitten.” He reels me back into his arms. “It doesn’t have to make sense if it’s right. I know you’re used to people not picking you, but that’s not who I am. You’re the most important person in my life, end of. I will always pick you. And don’t feel too bad because Massimo wouldchoose Cat over me any day, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s how it should be.”
“You’re crazy,” I say, stretching up on tiptoe to kiss him. “But I like your brand of crazy.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me now.” He takes the plates while I grab the bottle of sparkling water from the fridge and follow him to the table.
