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He stands and I follow him, my stomach in knots as I process the conversation.
Leaving Melissa doesn’t sit well with me, but I know Don Vieri and he is not a sadistic man. I’m guessing Melissa will be safe, especially as she will remain unaware of the reason she was brought here. I must leave her with hope if nothing else, so I prepare my farewell speech because nothing else matters more than what will happen on Hosea Madeira’s Island.
CHAPTER 24
MELISSA
Imust admit to being a little intimidated when I first got here, but the Vieris are lovely. Ariana may be an old lady now, but she has a youthful spirit and mischievous eyes. I can tell that’s where Serena gets her impudence from because she has a wicked humor that makes me instantly relax.
We sit overlooking the ocean on the terrace, sampling amazing wine and food that would be more at home with the gods and I could stay here forever.
Ariana is extremely interested in my life and I’m ashamed when I don’t have much to say because most of the time, I fill my days with frivolities which make me question what I want out of life.
Serena is more interested in my companion and says with a curious smile. “Tell me about your relationship with Apollo.”
I swear my face burns as I say airily, “We don’t have a relationship. Not really.”
“Would you like one?” She says with a sly smile and Ariana shakes her head.
“Forgive my granddaughter, Melissa. She is a true romantic at heart.”
Serena shrugs. “I’m only asking. Well, do you?”
“I would be mad not to.”
The two women share knowing smiles and Serena nods. “I would be surprised if you didn’t. I must say, growing up around Apollo and his brother was no hardship for an impressionable girl.” She sighs heavily. “The trouble is, I was also cursed with two extremely snarling guard dogs and never stood a chance of catching either of them alone.”
Ariana nods. “Serena is right. Her brothers were and still are a little overprotective.”
“I know what that’s like.” I roll my eyes. “I have two brothers of my own, and Troy in particular is hard to deal with sometimes.”
Serena leans forward. “Tell me about him.”
When I think of Troy, it brings a smile to my face. “He is a bastard.”
The two women laugh as I chuckle softly. “Many would call him cold, unfeeling, and brutal. He has few friends and many enemies, yet what they don’t see is the huge heart inside him. He does everything for his family and cares about the people he employs.”
My eyes cloud over at the mention of family and my voice shakes a little as I whisper, “When my father died, Troy took it the hardest. He couldn’t believe he had shot himself and buried himself in the business. He worked twenty hours a day to bring it back to life, almost as if he was attempting to do the same for my father. He worked tirelessly. Never stopping for breath until the ship came under control and was better than before. I suppose he did it in my father’s memory and for us.”
I take a deep breath and gaze out at the glorious vista before me. The sun sparkles on the ocean and it is a world away from the problems of home.
“Mom took it the hardest. Whereas Troy channeled his grief into something constructive, mom lost her mind a little.”
Ariana reaches out and grasps my hand and says with a comforting smile. “It must have been very hard for her.”
“It was. It still is. She sometimes acts as if he’s still here. We set a place for him at dinner, and nobody sits in his seat.”
Ariana’s eyes fill with tears, and she says softly, “We are the same. There are two places at our table that will never be used again. Two empty spaces in our hearts and two coffins in an early grave. Family is the most wonderful thing but also the most painful. My heart goes out to you and your family because I understand your grief.”
Serena nods and says softly, “Tell us about your mom.”
I smile at the thought of her.
“She is kind, sweet, and caring. We had an amazing childhood and there was a lot of love in our house. When my father shot himself, she couldn’t believe he had left her willingly. Theirs was a true love story. They were supposed to work things out together. At least that’s what she thought. She has tried so hard to forge a different path and fills her days with lunches and friends. She is lonely, though. Even though he worked a lot, they were always together in the evenings and on weekends. Now we are afraid she is losing her mind because she talks as if he will walk into the room and was even found sleeping on his grave the other night.”
I shake my head and sigh heavily. “Yesterday we admitted her to a place where she will get the support she needs. We are hoping it brings her back to us. The mom we love and pray for. To start over perhaps and find herself again. It’s why I came here with Apollo.”
I smile at the mention of him. “To take a few days out where I am free of responsibility.”
