Page 85 of Unravel Me

Wow… that lands heavier than I expected. I'm only twenty. I haven't been thinking that seriously or that far ahead, but maybe this is the moment I should start, if I really want the future I've been dreaming about.

Renato continues.

"I've got a proposition for you. My dear brother Tomasso has completely gone off the rails. We found out his land is mortgaged for almost exactly what it's worth, and now he wants to sell it off to strangers. You know I can't stand the thought of that. I'd buy it myself, but then I thought about you. Because of what we share, Mauro, because of who you are… I'd love for you to own that entire forest someday, and this could be the first step toward making that happen."

I stare at the screen in disbelief before typing back.

"Seriously? You want me to buy the whole of Uncle Tomasso's forest?"

"Exactly. You know your grandfather left him the section with the best forest lots. There are some incredibly beautiful spots there for building vacation cabins, and many of the lots already have utilities in place. With a relatively small investment, you could start building rental cabins and eventually create a pretty solid income for yourself. Just think about it. This area is a gold mine for tourism."

I blink.

Damn… that's actually a brilliant idea. From the very first words Renato spoke, something about it struck a chord deep inside me. It would mean a future away from the mafia, a future surrounded by the part of my family that shares my magical nature. It could mean stability, financial security, and a life I could honestly offer to the person I love someday.

Yes, I inherited a piece of land from my dad too, as did all my brothers, but it's barely a quarter the size of Uncle Tomasso's property, and it's much deeper in the forest, where access is more difficult. Building cabins there would require far more money, while Tomasso's land is practically perfect for it.

Then a thought flashes through my mind.

I quickly type it into my voice synthesizer.

"Interesting! There's just one problem. Anzo and Rocco can't find out about this because they'd use it against me. I could transfer the money to you, and you could buy the land in your name. We'd sign the legal paperwork stating that I'll inherit it from you, but I don't want anyone in my family knowing I own it or that I'm investing anything in it. That's important."

As I type those words, a shiver runs down my spine.

Yes… this all fits together perfectly.

It could become my secret Plan B, my insurance policy in case everything in the mafia eventually falls apart… and sooner or later it will, because I hate that bastard, my capo uncle. Eventually, we're going to clash, and I'd rather be ready for both him and… Rocco.

Well. For Rocco, I need more than just a Plan B. Hell, I might even need a Plan C, D, E… or who knows how many more.

My gaze drifts back to the distant dance floor.

Other couples have joined Jared and Mark by now, their bodies hiding the two of them from view.

My dream will have to wait, and I'll have to keep building my life and my future one step at a time, patiently believing that our paths will cross again.

Jared's and mine.

Maybe Fate will look kindly upon me one day?

CHAPTER 16: JARED

Present day

So I slept right through dinner.

I'm so exhausted that I suspect it's not just physical fatigue, but the aftermath of everything that's happened over the last few days, all the emotional shitstorms. By the time I wake up, it's already dark outside. Here, in December, the sun sets a little after five. I glance at the small digital clock on the nightstand. It reads 8:20 pm.

Damn, I really crashed hard.

Which means, I didn't even wake up when Mauro or Emilio brought me a tray. It's sitting on the table nearby now. I drag myself out of my nest and walk over.

Of course everything's gone cold by now, but my post-heat calorie deficit is so severe that I don't care. I devour the entire meal without even sitting down, standing right there by the table, and the hunger is absolutely consuming me.

At last, I'm done eating.

The house feels quiet.