Then I feel a pinch in my arm.
I clutch Tommaso, terrified he’s going to leave me or let Vincenzo—whoever he is—come and take me.
He doesn’t let me go. Not even when whatever they gave me causes me to relax, and my tears finally subside. He lays us down on the bed and pulls the covers over us.
“Rest, love.” He kisses my head. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe.”
I curl tighter into him, wanting to crawl under his skin so he can never let me go. “Il mio sole.” I love his pet name for me.
He kisses my head again. “My sun. My light. My queen. Rest now, wife.”
And because my body, heart, and soul believe I can trust him, I close my eyes and let the darkness of sleep wash over me.
Chapter 36
Tommaso
IfinallyleaveGinain our bed at three in the morning. It’s been hours since she fell asleep in my arms, but I couldn’t sleep. Not after hearing what she remembered.
I knew Vincenzo wanted her. But to use her in the way her father had implied? That doesn’t align with the man I know him to be. Still, I can’t ignore what her memory was, nor can I ignore the fact that Vincenzo is searching for her and knows things he shouldn’t unless Caruso himself told him.
Marco is in my office when I enter. He had rushed in when I shouted for Jerome or Salvo to call Johnathon, and he heard Gina’s fragmented retelling of the memory.
He rises from the sofa as I close the door.
“You could’ve gone to bed.”
“How is she?” he asks instead of responding to my comment.
“Sleeping.” I sigh and go to my beverage counter, but then decide against a drink. If Gina needs me again, I need to be as clear-headed as possible. “Where’sPapà?”
That is a field of landmines I need to defuse.
“Gone.”
I turn back to my brother with a frown. “Where?”
He sits heavily back on the sofa. “No idea. I called Riccardo to see if he knew whyPapàcame here, but he has no idea. He thought he was in Naples.”
“Did he have any idea of what Arturo could have over him?” I lean against the front of my desk and cross my arms.
“Riccardo is as clueless as we are.” He gives me a small smirk. “He’s angry that he wasn’t invited to the wedding, though.”
I huff a laugh and drag my hand through my hair. “How are Cecilia and Lorenzo?” I ask after my sister-in-law and nephew.
“Good.” He frowns. “But Riccardo worries Cecilia may be pregnant again.”
Usually, that would make a man happy. However, she had almost died giving birth to Lorenzo, and Riccardo insisted they were finished. But she always dreamed of having a son and a daughter.
Marco studies me. “I guess congratulations are in order for you as well,fratello.”
I can’t help the smile that splits my face. “Thanks.”
He turns grim. “I don’t think Arturo will let this slide. The marriage contract has been broken. He’s insulted.”
“There’s still one Santoro brother who isn’t married,” I joke.
He grunts. “Rosa is a piece of work. I pity the man who is saddled with her for life.” He shakes his head, regarding me seriously. “What are you going to do?”
