“Then you better be on your best behavior,” I chuckle, cranking the Jeep.
Lea has a silly grin on her face while I drive us to the statues. It’s almost as captivating as her smile. I can’t help stealing a few glances, just to make sure it’s still there. I’m glancing her way when the wonder dawns in her eyes as soon as the statues come into view.
“Wow! They’re way bigger than I expected!” she says excitedly.
“Too easy,” I mutter.
“What?” She perks a brow.
“Nothing,” I say. “We can’t park as close to them. The terrain isn’t safe for the Jeep. Up for some more walking?”
“Sure, I don’t know how many excursions I get, so I better get my steps in,” she laughs.
It’s a hike to the statues, but I enjoy every minute of it, because I’ve got Lea by my side. I might as well be playing with a sharp knife, tossing it carelessly in the air and waiting to see if it hits something vital on the way down. I’m getting wrapped up in her. Thinking dangerous things. Questioning decisions that seemed so clear. Lea’s breathing fresh air into my lungs. Opening wounds that let the poison slowly seep out. Making my heart beat with something that feels like life, instead of sorrow.
“So these are the legendary statues carved by the people from the Lost City of Pacifis,” Lea says, putting her hands on her hips once we reach the crest that overlooks the valley below.
“Local legends say they were carved by giants,” I say. “They’re the same age as the ruins though, and if the people from the Lost City of Pacifis were giants, they must have liked crawling through tunnels, instead of walking through them.”
“And if there were giants, wouldn’t there be bones and stuff?” Lea adds sarcastically. “I’m sure there were a lot of bones in that—pit.”
“Yeah, some things just get to be a mystery forever.” I nod in agreement. “These statues are even more impressive than the ones on Easter Island.”
“Have you ever seen those?” she questions, turning to me.
“Not in person,” I admit. “Guess I never will.”
“Why—oh, right,” she sighs. “There are probably several things on your bucket list you won’t get to do.”
“Never had one of those.” I shrug. “Would you like to go further, or is this close enough?”
“This is way closer than I would have gotten if I took the tour.” Lea looks around. “This seems like a nice place to have lunch.”
I nod, put the basket down, open it, and remove the blanket. I spread it out, then place the platter with the cheese and crackers in the center. Lea takes her seat, cross-legged, and I lower myself to the ground.
“Red wine or white wine?” I ask, removing both bottles from the basket.
“Uh, I don’t know,” Lea says.
“Hmm.” I look over the cheese selection and palm the white wine. “This one will pair better.”
I remove the wineglasses and corkscrew, opening the wine and filling both glasses. I give one to Lea and watch as she takes the first sip. Once a smile confirms she like it, I put the red wine back in the basket.
“This tastes better than what we had last night,” she remarks, glancing at the label. “And of course, it’s from Morandi Vineyards.”
I bring the glass to my nose and inhale the fruity scent, closing my eyes as I imagine myself in my grandfather’s vineyards. “The soil in the northern vineyard has a lot more clay. It’s better forred wine, but the white wine from that vineyard always has a heavier tart in the flavor profile. Can you taste it?” I sip the wine and let the flavor sit on my tongue before swallowing.
“Yeah,” she says, taking another sip. “I can. Do all Mafia guys know this much about wine?”
“No,” I chuckle. “But I grew up around it, so I picked up a few things.”
“I guess it’s good to know more about the poison you’re drinking,” she jokes, her eyes meeting mine for a moment.
I’ve had plenty of poison.
But I think I may have finally found the antidote.
CHAPTER 13
