My sister still doesn’t love that I’m in the mafia, but she came around after Grace had a talk with her. I don't know what Grace said to her, but Ida stopped looking at me with disgust in her eyes.
My sister is smiling again, laughing again. And for now, that's enough.
But I haven't been able to sleep since the night we rescued her.
I stay up all night, staring at the ceiling as her words play in my head. I can't stop thinking about everything Ida went through. I can't stop thinking about the six-year-olds who were rescued from some of these clubs. I can't stop thinking about the weight of my Don's expectations.
Now that I have everything I ever desired, all I can think about is how much I have to lose.
“Dante.” A soft voice breaks me out of my spell. “You couldn’t sleep again?”
I turn to face my beautiful wife.
"Don't worry about me," I say, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'll make you hot chocolate," she says, sitting up in bed. "The milk and chocolate will help you sleep."
"It's the middle of the night, little bird," I say. "Go back to sleep."
"Come on." She gets off the bed and tugs on my hand.
Some of my heaviness dissipates as I follow her to the kitchen. My girl has this magic about her. Just being around her makes me feel like everything will be okay.
I wrap an arm around her waist as she stirs cocoa powder into the hot milk.
"I would use the regular chocolate bars, but the sugar might keep you up," she says.
I don't have the heart to tell her that refined sugar isn't my problem. I remain quiet as she turns off the stove and pours the hot chocolate into two mugs. She even adds mini marshmallows that float on top.
She sets it aside to cool and then turns to face me.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asks.
I shake my head. Talking about it only makes the thoughts worse.
"Is it about your sister?" she asks.
"It's everything," I say. "All of it. I like being in control. And lately, it feels like too many things are out of my control."
"Well, it's no wonder you feel that way," she says. "I think you're forgetting that you're also human, Dante. You've beenworking so hard lately. Do you even remember the last time you took a day off?”
"There's no time for that," I say.
"Spend tomorrow with me," she says, smiling up at me. "We'll do all of your favorite things together."
"You'remy favorite thing to do," I say, pulling her closer.
She rests her palms on my chest.
"Not that," she says. "I was thinking something outdoorsy."
"I can also do you on a picnic blanket," I say, letting my hands trail down her curves. I squeeze her hips in my hands and revel in the way she blushes for me.
"Dante, I'm being serious," she says. “Let’s spend the day at the beach. Some Vitamin D will do you wonders. We’ll have pastries and iced coffee for breakfast, then follow up with a long lunch. It’ll be good for you.”
"There's so much left to do, Grace," I say.
"And it will all be there at the end of the day," she says.
