“Oh.” He goes quiet. “How you been, kid?”
Married to a crime boss.
Pretending to be a don.
“Having an eventful summer,” I say honestly. “I took a solo trip.”
“Yeah? What state are you in?”
I bite my lip. “Italy.”
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
“Bianca Marie Harris. Tell me you didn’t run off to get fucking kidnapped.” Vince’s tone lifts in warning.
“Is it fair to look at Italy through such a negative lens? Kidnapping can happen anywhere.” It was a coincidence that someone had taken me in Naples.
“What did I tell you, Bianca? It’s not safe for you to be over there by yourself.”
“Vince, I’m turning forty. I’m old enough to take care of myself. Steph just flew in and is staying with me.”
His fatherly sigh is adorable. It comes with a side of cussing. “Just be careful, kid—and stay away from the south.”Too late.“My hips don’t do well on long flights.”
“I’m safe.” We’ll revisit the specifics once I get back.
After I leave for good.
The sun lowers toward the hillside, painting the sky in soft blues and pinks.
“It’s beautiful out here,” I say over the bougainvillea waving in the breeze. “Mama Vee would’ve loved it here.”
“Yeah, she would’ve.” My eyes prick with tears at the hitch in his voice. “You get your fearlessness from her.”
“It doesn’t feel that way sometimes. I have fears.” Like allowing myself to fall in love.
“The things worth the most risk often require the greatest faith.”
The drapes flutter at Vince’s recitation of Mama Vee’s words.Don’t be so afraid that you block your blessings, baby.She said it whenever I was ready to quit.
I wipe my eyes with my sleeve. “Thanks for the reminder.”
“Anytime, kid.”
I promise Vince I’ll call more before he gets off to finish the lunch rush at the restaurant. We’ll dodge specifics about my trip for now, but I know they’re coming.
The drapes brush my skin on the way to my desk to journal. Putting words to paper helps me clear my head, and I need it.
A knock shakes my door.
“Little Latin boy in drag, why are you crying?”
