No time like the present to prove to my dad I have what it takes to make the tough decisions, that I’m ready for the top job—but that I’ll do it my way.
Chapter Fifty
Knocked For Six
Chiara
“Evie!”I call out, walking into Johnny’s. Today we’re meeting bright and early because I’ve got a nighttime shoot. I would have much preferred to finish what Raf started before Sophia’s phone call, but Arty’s trial has been all-consuming, and now is not the time to be a selfish brat. He was pensive on the ride over. I didn’t push him to talk. I just let him contemplate in the comfortable silence, his hand on my thigh, stroking his thumb up and down, mine wrapped around the back of his neck, running my nails through the hair at the nape.
I kissed him hard before I got out of the car, and because he’s utterly ridiculous about my safety he made me promise to video call him as soon as I was inside with Evie. Now that I feel certain Alessandro has probably left New York and Raf won’t do anything stupid to endanger himself in my honor, I’m going to find the right time after the stress of the trial is over to tell him about Alessandro cornering me at the studios. I don’t want any lies between us. I want forever with him.
I’m now trying to find Evie so I can video call him to show I am indeed safe and sound.
“Over here, babe,” she calls out, breathless from the ring at the far back.
I dial Raf’s number and his face fills the screen.
“Hi, is Evie there?”
“Yes, babe. She’s right here,” I say, switching the camera view so he can see her complete a punch-kick combo.
“Evie, please confirm for my overprotective hu—” I quickly catch myself, and Evie stops punching to glance at me quizzically. “Housemate, Raf, that I am here with you.” When I reach her, she leans into the screen and waves.
“Hi, Raf! Your girl is safe and sound,” she says, smiling at him, glowing from exertion. “The navy suit looks good with the red tie.” She winks, like they have an inside joke. “Good luck today. Tell Sophia too.”
“Thanks, Evie,” he responds before I switch the camera back to me.
“Satisfied she’s not an imposter?”
“Yes. Mission complete,” he says before he checks with me again. “And Avery’s going to see you there, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Now, go put a bad guy in jail,” I say, blowing him a kiss. “See you later tonight.”
“Counting down already,” he responds sincerely before ending the call.
“Well that was cute,” Evie says with a grin. “Protective Raf is a revelation.”
“Everything about Raf is a revelation,” I admit honestly.
“You think it’s love?” asks Evie.
“Whoa, way to ease a girl in,” I say as I wrap my hands.
“Chi, please! You’ve run at that man like a bull at the gate since the moment you laid eyes on him.”
“Yeah, I know. But throwing around the L word after just months is red flag material. I don’t want him to run in the other direction.”
Even if technically he’s my husband and we have matching tattoos,is what I don’t add. It sounds ridiculous to my own ears, but I know better than to become too complacent. The only thing all my experiences with love and loss have taught me is that when things feel too good, it’s a reminder to be extra vigilant of the things you can’t see in the shadows.
I hear my therapist’s questions like a voiceover.“Chiara, is that a fatalist mindset or a growth mindset? How can we reframe your previous experience with relationships? What did it teach you? How can it help you identify your expectations from future partners and relationships?”
“Okay, enough daydreaming girlie. Glove up and let’s run through all those self-defense moves we’ve been working on. Then we’ll take turns on the bag.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a drill sergeant?” I gripe.
“Maybe once or twice,” she says. “But I’ve got nothing on Seb. That man has no mercy.”
“Girl, if I didn’t have a Daddy Raf kink, you bet I’d be down for a drilling from sexy Sargent Seb.” I stand facing her. “Be straight with me. He puts you through the paces so good, doesn’t he.”
