Page 123 of The Man with a Treasure

I stared into beautiful eyes that reminded me of the woods where we used to be free, where we could get lost in—where we found love in. “Every human came from God. That means there is hope you can reach some hidden value in the spoiled brat.” I lowered my lips to hover over hers. “Let your true beauty show, Noemi. Let him in. He will follow your light. I swear it.” My eyes watered as I told myself her light could never be mine again. “Make him fall in love with you. And live.”

My mouth slammed to hers.

The last kiss Noemi and I ever had was blessed… by our tears.

Now in the living room of the house hidden in the Idaho mountains, I stood in front of a glass door, staring into the darkness. Noemi had done what she promised and was now happily married. That wonderful news didn’t stop how I felt for her.

Angelo, alone with Scarlett, had me missing Noemi even more. I was dying to hear her voice. I wanted her to know that the man we loved so dearly…

In my mind, I told her, ‘We did it, Noemi.’ Tears dripped down my face. ‘We did it. He is going to be happy. We don’t have to worry about him anymore. He has fallen in love, Noemi.’ I wiped at my wet face. ‘She is wonderful, Noemi. She is from the Heavens Mamma taught me to pray to.’ I leaned my forehead to the cool calming glass. ‘Scarlett Giordano is perfect for our boy.’

My hand lay on the glass as I imagined the beauty who owned my heart. ‘I had a dream, Noemi. I don’t know how it all happens, but it was a beautiful dream.’

So many women had been in my arms since Noemi, but none compared. Only Scarlett had come close. The two women were complete opposites in many ways. Noemi had learned sex with me and Angelo after being in love with us. Scarlett already knew far too much about sex before falling in love with the two of us.

And fall she did.

Hearing the bedroom door opening, I wiped my face again. In the reflection in the glass, I saw Angelo, now in his boxers, walking down the hallway. He sounded fatigued, but in a good way. Handing over his soul had settled him. “Will you come to us?”

Turning away from the soothing glass that I had imagined to be Noemi, I said, “Of course.” I took off my jacket while walking toward him. “Is she well?”

I already knew the answer but wondered how much Angelo understood. Did he know he had just made love to his future wife? Maybe so. Maybe, somewhere deep, he knew what had just happened. His dark eyes, which were typically laced with an unspoken rage, were now sedate. His Italian rung… “Like a fresh breeze cleansing my soul.”

Before passing my best friend to lay with the girl that once had no hands, but now held all the power, I grabbed his shoulder. “I knew she would be.”

His head tilted. “Are you alright?”

I will be. “Yes.”

I walked into the room to see Scarlett’s back. She was on her side, covered with a sheet and blanket. Going to that side of the bed, I laid my jacket on a chair. Facing her, my heart stopped. I rushed to her. “Scarlett.” On my knees on the floor, I leaned in and moved dark hair from her face. “Dove, why are you crying?”

Angelo wasn’t concerned at all as he lifted the blanket to crawl in behind her.

Grabbing my hand, she sniffled. “Sal, my happy tears won’t stop.”

“Aw, Love.” I pushed more hair from her face. “But you’re sure they are happy?”

A dainty smile appeared. “My heart is glowing.”

I could barely swallow. She was right. She was absolutely glowing.

Her wonderful expression turned to worry as she moved her palm to my cheek. “Sal, does your heart hurt?”

Nuzzling into her palm, I lied. “No.”

Big blue eyes studied me. “Why would you lie to me?”

My mouth fell open.

More tears falling, she said, “Maybe you feel like I do. Unable to explain.”

Swallowing, I nodded. “I think so.”

“Will you lay with me?”

“Of course.”

After taking off my holster and resting it on the nightstand within easy reach, I lifted the blanket, but she waved me off with the hand I wasn’t holding. “No. No more stuffed shirt clothes when lying with me.”