“But…” he continued, holding up a finger, “they’re both good men. And they both love you. You figure out a way to keep those two from killing each other, and I think all three of you will end up doing just fine.”
“Yeah? Wow, who knew?”
“What?”
“You have a sweet side.”
He made a deep grunting, guttural sound. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anybody that.”
I laughed. “I never had a dad.”
“I know.”
“Never had a grandfather, either.”
I saw the hint of a smile touch his lips. “You did. A father, too. You just didn’t know either of them. Your father’s dead, we know that. But as for your grandpa … well he could be alive for all you know.”
Considering my age, I doubted it. But technically it was possible. And it really was a nice thought. “Maybe.” I shot him a mischievous grin. “For that matter, maybe it’s you.”
He chuckled. “Stranger things have happened. Between the two of us, we’ve probably seen most of those stranger things.”
“True enough.”
“What about Eliza?” he asked.
I shook my head, having lost the thread. “Eliza?”
“She’s family ain’t she? She must know what your grandparent situation is.”
He had a point. “She doesn’t have any living relatives, though. But you’re right. She might have the information. I’ll ask her. But she wouldn’t know about my paternal line.”
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve got a good family. Good tight family. Who cares about blood?” His eyes met mine. “Blood’s always causing trouble.”
He was right about that. I pushed the pillow away, shaking off my doubts and fears and worries. “It doesn’t matter anyway. My family tree is doing just fine.”
I pushed off the couch then went over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
He rubbed the spot brusquely. “Ah, now you’re going to go and get all sappy.”
“It happens.”
“Harumph.” His eyes narrowed as he stared me down. “Just no crying. Can’t stand the crying.”
I laughed. “Fair enough. Want to watch something mindless on television before I go put together dinner? Or we could do a short movie. G-rated,” I added with a nod toward the kitchen, where the decibel level was rapidly increasing.
“Not a bad idea, but I got me a date.” He lifted his wrist and tapped the crystal of the watch we brought him from Italy along with the stiletto. “Time for me to go get ready. You going to be okay alone, girly-girl?”
“Don’t worry about me,” I said as I heard a clatter and the shrill sound of a toddler’s cry. I know how to take care of myself.”
“Yeah,” Eddie said as I sprinted to the kitchen. “You definitely do.”
“No, no, no!”I screeched, my eyes bugged out horror as I stood stock still, completely stymied with absolutely no idea how to deal with this … this …hell.
Seriously, I was looking down into the vast pit of hell in all its slimy, writhing grossness. It had touched me—infected me—and the pure horror of it all had festered a murderous rage inside of me. A rage so intense that I whipped out my phone and hit the speed dial for Allie.
“Hey, Mom! We’re fine. All quiet. No need to check in.”
“Do. You. Have. Any. Idea. What. You. Did?”
