Our father wasn’t the type to encourage any form of weakness, as he would have called it.
“I’m working on it,” I admit. “I… asked her on a date yesterday, and she said yes. One thing led to another, and I kind of… unintentionally spent the night.”
“I mean, who could blame you?” Raf asks, his voice tinged with a bitterness he sounds like he’s desperately trying to hide. “The love of your life miraculously comes back to life after all this time? If I were so lucky, I know I wouldn’t stand a chance of trying to keep my hands off Genevieve.”
My chest constricts with empathy for my younger brother. Because, while I never dreamed I would be lucky enough to have Stephanie come back into my life, Raf knows his wife could never do the same.
He held her in his arms when she died—watched the life drain from her eyes as she bled out in a matter of seconds.
And the fresh wave of sympathetic pain reminds me of why Raf is so thirsty for revenge.
“So, what do you want to do about it?” Miko asks, then he glances toward the twins. “We know how crazy you were about Stephanie before…”
Raf and Sandro nod.
“Honestly… I’m out. I don’t want revenge. And while I don’t like bailing on you guys, all I care about is making things right with the woman I love.”
My brothers exchange glances once more, their expressions grim but resolute.
“So, you’re stepping down as Don,” Raf says. “That’s fine. But we fully intend to move forward with our plans.”
I swallow hard, anxiety knotting my stomach. “I know. But just so we’re clear, I wish you wouldn’t.” I’m so tired of losing people I love in these pointless battles for territory. But I get it. I understand why they want revenge after everything the Tanakas took from us—Raf more than anyone.
“Yeah, well, we don’t all get to live out our happily ever afters. I love you, Brother, but this fantasy world you believe in, where you can make peace happen if you will it hard enough, just doesn’t exist,” he says bitterly. “Especially now.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, a prickling sense of foreboding rippling down my spine.
“Sandro and I heard a rumor that the Yakuza are building up their forces again. The Murrays sound concerned that they’re going to be the Tanakas’ next target, but I think they’re coming back to finish the job—wipe out the Chiaroscuro name once and for all. So, even if you are out, watch your back. We’re not ready to lose you, either.”
20
JANE
It’s a beautiful day. And maybe it’s just because I’m in an incredible mood, but even the flowers in my shop smell more fragrant.
I’ll admit, I fell back asleep after Gio left this morning—before waking up in a panicked rush, as usual, because I failed to set an alarmat allthis time.
But miraculously, Jackson managed to get us out the door.
And now that I’m at the shop, my heart rate back to normal, I can’t help smiling as I go about my daily tasks.
Last night might have been the best night of my life, and I’m already looking forward to seeing Gio again tonight.
Somehow, the world just feels like a better place.
And while I’m always conscious about offering a pleasant customer experience for the people who step into my shop, today, I can genuinely greet them with an enthusiasm I usually reserved for the time I spend with my son.
Maybe it’s just my imagination, but even the plants seem more vibrant and alive as I water them and trim the stems of my most recent bouquet flowers.
By the time noon rolls around, I’ve managed to be more productive than I thought possible, and I smile as the bell over the door rings, announcing a lunchtime customer.
“Welcome to Bloss—” My words fall short as I turn to greet the person, only to find Gio filling the width of the threshold with his broad shoulders. “Hi,” I say, suddenly breathless as I dust my hands on a rag and step out from behind the counter.
“Hi,” he greets me, his white-toothed smile wide and unfettered as he lets the glass door swing closed behind him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, the question sounding much less accusatory this time.
Gio lifts a picnic basket from behind him. “I was hoping you’d be willing to close the shop for lunch so I can take you for a walk and a picnic.”
