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I never knew how much I needed love in my life until I had hers.
Her phone started to vibrate in her back pocket. It vibrated against the leather seats, so I could feel it too. She fished it out then looked at the screen.
Father.
Her family gave us peace and quiet for a few weeks, but I didn’t let that fool me. I knew the second Vanessa and I were together again, I would have to see her family on a regular basis. Now that I was accepted among them, their presence didn’t leave a bad taste in my mouth, but I couldn’t shake the past either. Her father called me trash more times than I could count, and her uncle preferred to insult me with his fists. I knew it wouldn’t be hostile when we were in the same room together, but it wouldn’t be comfortable either.
At least Vanessa was mine. That was all that mattered.
She answered. “Hey, Father. How are you?” She answered with genuine perkiness, like she was happy to talk to her father.
His voice was audible on the other line. “Things are good. Conway is still recovering. His face looks a lot better, but the ribs are taking a little longer. He’s restless, so naturally, he’s moody.”
“I can imagine,” she said. “Never likes to sit in one place too long.”
“No. Just like you.”
She chuckled. “I’m better than him, at least.”
“That’s debatable,” he said with amusement. “Anyway, just wanted to check on you. Haven’t heard from you in a while…” The tension filled the silence over the line. Her parents had always given her space, but after what happened, her father was probably a little paranoid. “Wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “Griffin and I are halfway to Florence.”
“Are you coming for a visit?”
“No. We’ll be staying at my apartment above the gallery. Then we’ll look for a house outside the city.”
Her father paused for a long time. “You guys are going to move here?”
“Yeah.”
He was quiet again, probably unable to express how happy that made him. “That’s great news. Your mother will be thrilled when I tell her. Conway and Sapphire are going to start looking for a house once he’s back on his feet.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of Barsettis in one place. Just gotta get Carter next.”
“That would be nice, but Uncle Cane makes it sound like he likes it there in Milan.”
“He’ll probably change his mind when he settles down.”
“Maybe,” he said noncommittally. “So, how’s Griffin?”
Vanessa smiled when she listened to her father ask about me. “He’s doing well. The doctor just removed his bandage and cleared him. He’s pretty much back to new.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He wasn’t as enthused as he was when he spoke of his own son, but he didn’t sound bitter either. At the hospital, it seemed like he respected me because of what I’d done for his family, but that didn’t necessarily mean he liked me—just tolerated me.
That was fine with me.
“After you get settled, you should come by for dinner,” he said. “Your mother misses you… I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“I’m sorry for bothering you. Your mother told me not to call you…but I decided to ignore her.”
“You aren’t bothering me, Father,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m excited to see all of you.”
“Okay, good. Now your mother can’t get mad at me.”
“She’ll probably be mad at you anyway.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Alright.”
“Love you, tesoro.”
Her smile fell. “Love you too, Father.” She hung up and set the phone on the seat beside her.
Vanessa would be my baby for the rest of my life, so I knew I would have to put up with her family. When I heard her father wear his heart on his sleeve, I liked him a little more. He was the kind of man that was hard and tough, but he also loved openly. Only a truly fearless man opened his heart to someone—because he had something to lose. That was bravery. It would be hard for me to let go of the past, but I could move forward—for her.
At least he’d asked about me.
I kept my eyes on the road and didn’t question her about the conversation. I knew she wanted to see her family, but I preferred hiding away and being alone in our apartment. I’d never been a fan of people, especially after I found Vanessa. As long as I had her, I didn’t need anyone else.
“Conway is doing better. Let’s stop by the house tomorrow to see them.”
The only time I’d been inside that house was when I came face-to-face with her father for the first time. I handed him a shotgun, and he aimed it right at me. Handcuffed to the chair and vulnerable, I put myself out there in a way I never had before. But the bold step meant nothing to the Barsetti brothers. It would be strange to step inside that house again—under different circumstances.
