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She sits on the couch again and wipes her eyes. Annika passes her some tissues.
“I know you wanted to talk about less violent things—”
“It’s okay,” Annika assures her before I can. “Talk it out, honey.”
Ivie nods. “I found the monitors in the bunker, and I could watch what was happening on the property. It was so crazy. Scary as hell. And then I saw Shane, and for a second, I was relieved that he was there to help, but also so fucking terrified that one of those bastards would h-h-hurt him.”
I take her hand, link my fingers with hers, and raise her hand to my mouth.
“But they didn’t get hurt. They saved me. And now I’m here, in Seattle, eating ice cream and pizza with my favorite people.”
“I’m touched,” Rocco says, making her grin.
“You’re one of my favorite people, too, Rafe.”
My brother scowls. “I can’t win with these women.”
“Get used to it,” Carmine suggests, earning a glare from his fiancée. “I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course.”
“Sure, you do.” Nadia stands and stretches. “We should go home where I can punish you for that. Let these guys get some rest.”
“You’re not staying here?” Ivie asks.
“Our house isn’t far away,” Nadia assures her. “I’ll be back in the morning. I’m bringing breakfast. Then Carmine and I are headed to New York for a few days.”
“I don’t like it,” Ivie says, blowing out a breath.
“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.” Nadia hugs Ivie close. “I’ll see you in the morning.
Carmine and Nadia say their goodbyes, but Rocco hangs back.
“I’m staying,” he says simply and looks at Annika. “My room is next to yours. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“I—” Annika begins, but Rocco cuts her off.
“Don’t argue, just say ‘okay.’”
“Okay,” she replies. “Thanks.”
He nods and walks out of the room.
“He really does worry about you,” I say to Annika.
“I know.” She sighs and offers me a small smile. “I’ve worked really hard for a while now to distance myself from him and my feelings for him. Old habits die hard. I’m going up, too. But I suspect I’ll be back for another glass of wine.”
“Take the bottle,” Ivie suggests. “I’ll sneak over and drink it with you.”
“You don’t have to sneak.” I grin at her.
“Even better.”
* * *
“We haven’t heard anything.”
Ivie and I are walking across the grass of my grandmother’s property. It’s been three days since we arrived. Carmine and Nadia are wrapping things up in New York, and Rocco is on his way back from Texas. He left yesterday morning.
He didn’t want to be away from Annika for too long.
Even though the woman pretends that she can’t stand the sight of him.
“Everyone will be back by morning,” I assure Ivie.
“But I don’t know what they found. Where did Rafe go, anyway?”
“He just had some work to do, some things to see to. I suspect we’ll have information from all of them tomorrow.”
“I hope so. We’ve been here for three days, and nothing is happening. It’s quiet. Which I’m not complaining about because I’ve been up close and personal with the alternative and I’ll take quiet over that every time. But I don’t trust it.”
I don’t either. There hasn’t been any chatter, nothing to report. It’s too quiet again.
I don’t like it.
“Let’s enjoy the sunshine today and worry about the rest when the others get here tomorrow,” I suggest.
“You’re right. It’s a nice day. Tomorrow is Annika’s birthday, and I haven’t had time to get her anything.”
“I’m quite sure she understands.”
Ivie smiles. “You’re right. I’ll figure something out for her. It’s pretty out here. You said you spent a good portion of your childhood here?”
“Yes. This was my father’s parents’ home. We came here every summer, along with our cousin, Elena. Ran wild all over this property. Swam in the pond, played in the gazebo. Gram had that treehouse built when Carmine was about eight.”
I point to the treehouse ahead. I’m taking her there. It’s private, and I plan to talk to her. Tell her how I feel—how much I love her, and that I want to make this work between us. She’s right, life is short, too damn short, and I’m going to hold onto her for as long as I possibly can.
“I can picture it,” she says with a smile. “It’s a great property for kids.”
“And Gram spoiled us rotten. She had a firm hand, and we didn’t get anything by her, but she gave us just about anything we wanted. The entire top floor of the house is an attic, and we loved to play up there. She never threw anything away.”
“I bet it’s a treasure trove.”
“It is. She’s been gone more than a year now, and we haven’t had time to go through everything yet. But she’d be happy that we’re using the house.”
