Page 67 of Roman

CHAPTER 16

ROMAN

Sunday, Effie stepped out of the closet, sliding her hands down the skirt of the dress she wore. I paused tying my tie, looking at her. Unable to stop myself, I cupped her face and kissed her. “You are lovely.”

The bruises were fading, and Vi had given her some makeup to help cover them. The ones on her arms were still darker, but her sleeves mostly hid them. The marks on her stomach and legs remained dark. My mood matched the color every time I saw them.

Her hair was down, cascading over her shoulders and tumbling down her back in a wave of ebony. The blue in the dress matched her eyes. It was pretty and feminine and suited her.

I touched her cheek. “Thank you.”

She smiled, turning her face and kissing my fingers in one of her affectionate gestures. They came naturally to her, and surprisingly, they were easy for me with her. I was stunned at the intimacy of our physical relationship. How connected I felt to her. How responsive she was to me. How incredibly trusting. I enjoyed teaching her, learning what she liked. What I liked with her. It was different from any relationship I had ever been in. We were comfortable with each other, and I thought it would show to Nonna.

“She will love you,” I said, addressing Effie’s unspoken worries. “Vi will be there as well.”

“Not your brother?”

“No, he is away this weekend, but he is coming here, so you will meet him then.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be right beside you.”

“It feels wrong, lying to your nonna.”

I studied her for a moment. “Is it a lie, Little Tiger? Are we not in some sort of relationship? I’m with you. No one else. You’re in my bed. My suite. Under my protection.”

She blinked. “I wasn’t sure how you saw it,” she admitted.

I sat on the edge of the low dresser, contemplating her words. “It’s confusing,” I admitted. “This is all new to me as well, Effie. I didn’t expect this. Us.” I shook my head. “Apparently Aldo saw something before I did, and he pushed the envelope.” I took her hand. “But it’s not a lie. I don’t know what this is, but it is not a lie.”

Our eyes met and held. “Don’t ask me for a definition or a category. Can you trust me enough to do that?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”

I stood, smiling as she fiddled with my tie, straightening it and patting it into place, again her gestures endearing. “There.”

“All right. Let’s go.”

Effie insisted on stopping to get Nonna flowers.

“She has a garden,” I protested. “A huge one.”

“There is nothing like receiving flowers. My mom always loved it.”

“Do you?” I asked, curious.

“I’ve never gotten any. I imagine I would.”

I followed her into the flower market. She picked various stems, putting together an impressive bouquet. I paid for it and carried it to the car, placing it in the back. My men were following at a discreet distance and would stay out front of the estate with the other guards until we departed. Effie hadn’t even noticed them. Aldo and Vi would arrive in their own vehicle in case one of us was called away with an emergency at the casino. Sunday midmorning and afternoon were the quietest times of the week, so it was doubtful, but in case, we were prepared.

I liked to be prepared.

I held Effie’s hand on the drive. The sun was out, the temperature just right for the day, and I had the windows down, the breeze blowing her scent into my nose.

At the gates, I chatted with the staff, who assured me everything was fine. I introduced them to Effie, using a word so they understood she was now part of my circle.

“Famiglia.”