Page 54 of Aldo

I touched my neck, unsure.

“We can cover them, baby. I want you with me.”

I squared my shoulders. “Yes.”

He kissed me softly. “Thank you.” Gently, he tugged me over to the sofa. “Nap time, I think.”

I didn’t argue.

Each day, I felt stronger. More myself. But Aldo was right, and when he left me alone the first time, my nerves kicked in. I jumped at every sound, checked, and rechecked the locks, and when he called me to see how I was, he knew and came directly home. I felt like a child as he wrapped his arms around me, and I leaned on him, relief flowing through me at his touch.

“I’m sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have left you.”

“I know he’s gone. I know I’m safe,” I babbled, unable to explain my anxiety.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m here,” he crooned.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated.

He drew back, cupping my face and kissing me. I instantly felt calmer. “I’m here,” he whispered. “Everything is okay.”

I nestled against him. As long as he was close, he was right. “Okay.”

Roman showed up the next day, carrying flowers and a tray of lasagna from his nonna. I was surprised to see him.

“Does Aldo know you’re here?”

He nodded. “I told him I would drop by. I know he was worried about leaving you in the evening. He said yesterday was rough, so I thought I would help. I told him I would cover later so he could come home, but I thought you might like the company. My nonna’s lasagna is not to be missed. She’ll come see you soon.”

He sat down. “How are you?”

“Getting better every day.”

“You’re coming to the wedding, right?”

“Yes.” I touched my neck. “I think so.”

He nodded in understanding. “They’ll fade. A dress can cover them.”

“I have to find one.”

He waved me off. “I’ll send the manager of my boutique over to you. Gerry will find you something.”

“That is incredibly kind,” I said, sliding a cup of coffee toward him.

“It’s easy to be kind to people I like,” he replied with a wink. “Especially the one my right hand is in love with.”

A small thrill ran through me at his words, but I didn’t comment.

“Tell me about Aldo and you when you were younger.”

He was silent for a moment. “My upbringing was rough after my mother died. My father was determined to make us over into him. There was a lot of darkness around me. He celebrated the bad stuff and constantly pitted Luca and me against each other. My only light was my nonna. And Aldo. He was the one person I could be Roman with. We’d sneak away and do kid stuff. Stupid things. Daring each other who could jump off the highest tree. Dive underwater and hold our breath the longest. He, Luca, and I would do all sorts of idiotic things when my father wasn’t around. We were just us then. My father thought he was winning, but what he did was make us closer. We hated his business. His ways of doing things. The constant violence. He loved it. I loathed it, even though it is a part of me. Luca tolerated it. Aldo kept me sane. Our friendship is the strongest one I have. Even more than Luca. Solid in a way I can only share with Aldo. I try to be that for him, but I think he was missing something.” He looked at me. “He was missing you. I had Nonna as my soft spot. He needs you, doll.”

“Why do you call me that?”

He shrugged. “I dunno. I like it. I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way.”