Page 140 of The Strength Of A Woman

We met Nona in town a couple of times.

She was excited to see me, and even more excited to see Cosimo.

It's obvious that they’ve fallen in love with each other.

Callum teases Cosimo about it, and Nona never negates that she has feelings for his right-hand man.

I never forgot what I’d promised her. If things go all right, she’ll have her freedom at the end of all this.

At one point, Callum and I snuck out of the compound at night and drove to a deserted, rugged beach where tourists never venture.

We made love on the sand, swam in the sea, and looked up at the stars as if the world belonged to us.

He told me that he loved me and promised me that, at some point, our life together would be more than that.

To me, it was enough as it was already more than I’d ever imagined.

He shows me that he loves every day.

He keeps an eye on me at all times and makes sure I’m happy and safe. What else could I ask of him?

Unfortunately, this time has come to an end.

We’re flying to Rome this afternoon––he meets some important people––and then we make a stop in Paris to pick up my wedding dress and have a final fitting, and then we head to New York.

It’s bittersweet.

I look forward to returning to New York, seeing Rory again, and going to Long Island.

I won’t be spending time in my childhood home.

He’s already rented a house for us, and we’ll live there surrounded by his people.

The most important part of this journey is upon us.

It’s the most significant part of his plan.

So things begin to slowly wrap up, and I know I can’t stop time, as much as I can’t stop myself from already longing for moments like the ones we’ve lived here in Sicily.

But life goes on, doesn’t it?

LEILANI

Rome

We sitin a hotel this time.

Callum assured me it’s safe to stay here. He knows the owner, and the entire floor is occupied by his men.

Tonight is the inauguration of a club, and the perfect opportunity to sneak into one of its secret rooms and have a meeting away from the prying eyes of anyone who could work with his enemies.

I’ve been blessed not to hear from my grandparents, and now that I think about it, knowing them, they must be relieved in a way that they don’t have to deal with my antics anymore.

I don’t know how much they trust Callum or if they do––frankly they don’t have a choice––but they may see a benefit in not having to deal with me.

For this event, I wear a sleeveless, beaded, fringe dress that hits above the knee.

The beads make a soft, sweet sound like chimes in the wind every time I move.