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I reach for the notepad, but Alessio hands me his phone and opens the notes app instead. I relax my body into his and write a note.
Thank you. I’m sure it must have been difficult to lose a friend, but you did the right thing.
“It wasn’t difficult to lose someone I never really knew,” he answers. “I’ll do the same thing to anyone who hurts you.”
I understand, I write. I would do the same for you.
His lips curve into a smile that I will never tire of seeing. “I don’t know whether to be terrified or flattered now that I’ve seen what you are capable of.”
I made a promise to myself after Enzo that nobody would ever do that to me again, I explain. I’m okay with having blood on my hands if it means protecting my family and myself.
He considers it for a long, quiet moment.
“I thought it might bother you to see me that way,” he admits. “I didn’t know how you would feel about it.”
I shake my head, typing adamantly. I know what you do, but I didn’t come into this relationship with blinders on. I accept you for who you are. I just don’t want that darkness spilling over into our lives. I need to know you’re safe, that our children are safe.
“Well, you shouldn’t worry,” he assures me. “I’ve decided to reserve those skills for as-needed cases only from here on out.”
So that means you’re retiring?
“Not retiring, exactly. I will be changing careers. I’m tired of the gore. I think I’ve had enough for one lifetime.”
This news relieves me more than he could ever know. I will love Alessio no matter what, but that isn’t the life I want for him. I want him to do whatever makes him happy, and I tell him so.
“I’ve been giving it some thought,” he says. “Angelo and I have been talking it over, and we are going into business together.”
What kind of business?
He gets that boyish look on his face again, and it makes my heart beat a little faster.
“I wanted to build something we can pass down to Nino if he wants it, something we both love.”
Boats? I ask.
He nods. “The business will be charter brokerage exclusively for IVI. Yachts, catamarans, sailboats. High-end luxury for our members all over the world.”
There’s a peacefulness in his eyes when he talks about his plans, and it brings me comfort to know that he’ll be doing something he enjoys.
Nino is going to love it. You both get the same look on your face when you’re on the water. He must come by it naturally.
Alessio chuckles, and it’s such a beautiful sound, I could play it on repeat. He’s so relaxed right now I don’t ever want this day to end.
“It will give us an excuse to spend more time on the water, too,” he says. “We can do some research as we expand locations.”
Really? I turn into him.
“Yes, really.” He kisses me, and then his phone rings.
It’s Manuel, so I hand it to him anxiously. He answers, thanks him, and disconnects.
“They’re here.”
Neither of us wastes any time getting up. It hasn’t even been a full day since I’ve seen Nino, but after this morning, I’ve missed him already. Alessio seems nervous as he waits for me to slip on the robe from his bathroom. It smells like him, and it’s warm, and it will do until I get the energy to shower and change.
“Your clothes are in there.” He nods to the closet. “Whenever you need them.”
I peek over at the door, and it warms me to know he moved my things in here. No more division. No more separate rooms. We’re really going to do this marriage thing. When I look back at him, I know we’re not going to fuck it up this time.
I join him at the door, and he settles his hand on my lower back as we walk downstairs together.
“Should we move Nino up to the third level?” he asks.
Yes, I sign.
“I think I’d feel more comfortable having him close too,” he says.
We reach his door, and Nino is inside, still in his pajamas from this morning. He’s at the window, looking out over the lake. His home. There’s a softness to his face that lets me know he’s at peace again. It means everything to me.
“Nino,” Alessio’s voice cracks as he calls out to him, and it splinters my heart.
“Daddy!” Nino turns and barrels toward him, tears streaking down his cheeks before he even reaches him.
Alessio lowers himself on one knee, catching Nino in his arms as he collides with him. They hug, and Alessio visibly trembles as Nino squeezes him in his arms. Their reunion is far more emotional than I ever could have prepared for, and I start bawling too.
We’re all crying when Nino starts to sniffle and looks up at Alessio. “When can we go on the boat?”
