“Then buy it.”
“Just like that?”
“You have money, don’t you?”
“More than you can imagine.”
“Then yeah, just like that.” She kisses me.“You need somewhere Nico doesn’t know to look. Somewhere off your name. Somewhere quiet. Buy the house, Raffaele. Buy it tonight.”
I reach for my phone and dial my broker.
“D’Amico,” I announce, just so he gets the idea.
“I-uh, hello Mr. D’Amico… I-It’s late.”
“The Sea Bright property. The Wrenfield place. I’ve mentioned it to you before.”
“Yes—”
“I’m taking it.”
“Sir, it’s—what time is it?”
“I don’t care. Wire whatever they want. Tonight. The keys are at your office at seven AM, and I’m there to pick them up. Are we clear?”
A heavy silence on the other end. Then, “Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
I hang up.
Bea’s watching me. Her hand’s still in mine, and she’s smiling.
The cracked pit in my chest fills with warmth. The fire’s still there, but it’s not just powered by rage anymore.
“Happy?” I ask.
“Happier,” she grins back, shrugging.
I almost smile myself.
“That’s a start.”
We separate slowly. There’s glass everywhere, and I won’t let her put a bare foot down, so I lift her off the cabinet and carry her to the rug before I set her down.
As we dress, my phone buzzes.
Property closed. Wire received. Keys at the office at 7. —H.
I show her the screen.
“We have a house.”
She looks up at me.
“We?”
I take her hand.
