Page 68 of The Man with a Treasure

“Er, no. ‘Explain’ is not a food. It’s an action.”

Now, Scarlett’s head was the one tilting.

Sal softly exhaled as if he had just fallen in love, which didn’t sit well with me for some reason. He said, “Explain is to tell you something. Teach you something.”

Scarlett’s spine straightened like a lightning rod that had just gotten shocked. “I love to learn. Mamma used to teach me all the time.”

Sal’s arms opened wide, and his full, unneeded flirty smile appeared. “Now, how about that. I will teach you all I know.”

Not appreciating how enamored Scarlett suddenly was, I glared at Sal. Then I felt like shit for such stupidity. Any bond Scarlett was making was healthy for her. I needed to be happy, not acting like a dick. Sal and I never competed for anything. My behavior was unacceptable. But then she started to cry. I wanted to hold her, but Sal The Pal beat me to it, rushing around the bar. “What’s wrong?” Leaving her on the stool, he wrapped her up in an embrace.

She melted into him. “I do not know.” She wiped tears. “I feel so happy. Why sad tears, Sal?”

Endearingly, he touched the tip of her delicate nose. “Oh, Scarlett. I think those are happy tears then.”

“Explain, Sal. Explain.”

He chuckled. “Umm, tears can be connected to many emotions. Sad, scared, lonely, joyful, happy…” She listened to him as if he was her knight in shining armor.

Getting off my stool, I mumbled, “I’m taking a shower,” and walked away.

In my bedroom’s bathroom, I stood under the hot water, trying to shuck off my irrational behavior, but then I thought of Scarlett. Slowly, I peered up into the spray of water. Is this how she fed herself when not offered food? I’m not sure why, but my mouth opened, and I drank… knowing showers would never be the same for me.

Once done, I turned off the water. Still feeling unsettled, I thought about taking a nap, when a scream echoed through the grand home. Scarlett!

I was out of the shower and running, gun aimed without another thought. In the living room that was open to the kitchen, I saw a shocked Scarlett staring at the front door. Still running, I aimed there. Then another scream screeched, bellowing throughout the high ceilings.

“Oh shit.” I lowered my gun. “I’m so sorry.”

An older woman was standing there, grabbing her chest. “What is with all the guns?” There were spilled shopping bags on the floor around her feet. Women’s garments sprawled about.

The maid. Shit.

No longer with a gun in his hand, Sal winced. “Sorry. You were an unexpected guest.”

Breathlessly, she giggled. “A mistake I won’t repeat. You can count on that.” She eyed me and grinned. “Hi, I’m Mae. Nice package.” She gestured to the ground. “I brought some, too.”

Looking at my hands to understand what package she meant, I suddenly realized I was completely naked and dripping water. Shit! I covered my ‘package’ and backed away. “Nice to meet you, Mae. Thank you so much for bringing Scarlett clothes.”

Gasp!

My eyes raced to Scarlett, who was now with eyes watering again. “Angel? You got me clothes?”

Pride bloomed and my ego sizzled with satisfaction. I smirked at Sal. “Why, yes, I did.” Beat that, fucker.

It ended up that Scarlett wasn’t fond of clothing. She claimed they felt odd against her skin. I mentally gave another score to Team Sal but told Scarlett, “I understand. Maybe you will like them later.”

I needed to grow up and stop thinking crazy thoughts. I had a Giordano to protect. And right now, that Giordano was wanting her son. “Please, Angel, take your gun and go get him.”

“You know about guns?”

“Fathers always had them. They said guns were needed so no one took what was theirs.” Her artistic hand grasped at her—Sal’s undershirt. “My mother said I was hers. Seth is mine. Please, do not let them keep what is mine.”

I couldn’t help it. I reached out and cupped her face. “I’m so sorry.” When she leaned into my palm, like she did when we were in her basement, I was amazed at how beautiful she was, and how I had missed the first time she had done this to me. Her hair had covered up the sight I would now never forget. I swallowed. “I must protect you first.”

Tears dripped onto my hand. “No. Him. Please. He is my son.”

I couldn’t understand why my face was heating. Why my throat was closing. All I knew was I wanted to fulfill her every command. But I couldn’t, so I whispered, “I can’t.”