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17
STEPHANIE
It’d been three weeks since Rocco Di Angelo had been to Miceli’s house. Every day that went by without a phone call or text from the agent put me on edge. I couldn’t take it anymore. If he was supposed to fix our lives, he could have at least kept us in the loop. I sighed for the fourth time while waiting for Rocca to finish up her last tests for the year.
Miceli and I had broken the truth to her a few days after Rocco left, knowing full well once the news broke about my parents’ case, she’d probably hate me. Obviously, she’d hate me either way because I shouldn’t have lied to her or Miceli. I manipulated both of their lives to seek shelter, even temporary, and protection. I went into the entire plan with a selfish mindset. Some people might say I was justified. Other could say I was a gold digger. Whatever the case, I’d rather have a clear conscious than faked relationships.
I’d been thankful when Rocca accepted my apology. I gave her space to be mad, if that’s how she felt. Then I’d let her come to me when she was ready. No way in hell I’d force an impressionable girl to forgive me or think my actions were okay. They weren’t. The only excuse I had was I wanted to be safe. Wanting Kyle to be safe as well. Now, it was as if the strain between us vanished. I didn’t deserve her compassion. I appreciated it though. More than I could ever say.
“Done,” Rocca muttered, sagging into her seat with an exaggerated exhale. “It’s officially summer.”
“What do you want to do with your time off?” I closed her laptop and put the device aside. “You have a hundred and four days to do whatever you want.”
She twisted her face into a curious look, then laughed. “Did you just quote Phineas and Ferb?”
“Maybe.” I winked. “Agent P is the man.”
Rocca’s peal of laughter lightened some of the angst filling the pit of my stomach. I wanted everything over so we could all go back to our normal lives, including Rocca, who deserved to see her friends and spend time out of the house. “We could go swimming.”
“I’d like that,” I said. “It would be nice to relax by a pool again.”
“Maybe take a trip with Daddy,” she whispered, almost like she was afraid to voice her idea.
“That would be an even better idea,” I agreed. “Whatever it is you want to do, let’s see if we can do it all—within reason, of course.”
“I’d like that, a lot.” Rocca stood, then stretched before exiting her room.
Once I cleaned up her desk and belongings for school, I left her space, closing the door behind me. Since the day Rocco had arrived, I’d been sleeping with Miceli in his bed. Our relationship, though we never really defined it as much, kind of just grew every day. I promised myself once we were all safe, I’d tell him the truth about my feelings. There’d been a niggle of worry he wouldn’t reciprocate, after everything he’d been through, but I held onto hope he loved me as much as I loved him.
“Rocco called,” Miceli said, coming up beside me. “We should talk.”
I followed him to his office where Kyle was already waiting, along with Benny and Robbie. My hands trembled from nerves. My heart fluttered. I had to know the truth, even if I dreaded hearing it. What was the next move? I sat in the empty chair, needing that space, just so I could think.
Okay, worst-case scenario, Rocco couldn’t do anything because no one believed him. Best case, he was believed, and now Kyle and I had to reintroduce ourselves to the world. Neither option was good. Yes, if things worked out as I hoped they would, we could reclaim our lives. If not, well, Collins Attwood had a nice ring to it.
“Give it to me straight. I don’t want any placation or hand holding or anything. Just the words, Miceli,” I said, my jangled nerves keeping me from sitting still.
“As you wish,” he said. “Rocco called. The FBI is scheduling a press conference for sometime soon. It appears Stephanie Hollis and Kyle Hollis are still alive.”
His teasing statement should have relax some of my worry or made me laugh, instead his words had a rush of fear swamping me. If they were calling a press conference, did that mean I had to say something publicly? Would Kyle? What else would be expected of us? Would we get our home back? Maybe our trust funds? Not that I particularly cared about the money, more so, I wanted to be sure Kyle could go to college.
“That’s... A good thing,” I said, trying to pick the right words. “It means someone believes us.”
Miceli grunted. “Yes. It also means they are also going to push to reopen Rosalina’s case as well.”
“Good,” I said. “That’s amazing. I’m happy for you. Both of you deserve the closure. So does Rocca. I’m sure she’ll be glad too.”
Benny and Robbie frowned. “Aren’t you happy, Princess?” Robbie gave me a strange look. Like, I’d grown two heads or something equally grotesque.
Honestly, I didn’t know how I felt. I was grateful to Rocco. If he could convince someone to go back to my family home and find the evidence needed to put Mario Torino or whoever killed my parents away, then I’d be there every step of the way. However, I wouldn’t say I was ecstatic. Showing my face to the world left me and Kyle vulnerable. If we went public and those responsible weren’t arrested, I would bring trouble back to Miceli’s doorstep. I couldn’t do that. Not after how kind and generous he’d been to us.
“You’re worried about what happens next,” Miceli said. “I can’t say I blame you. I know this; Rocco won’t do anything publicly without those responsible being in jail first. So, even with this announcement, it might take some time before you and Kyle can have your lives back.”
I relaxed a little then. I could handle being dead for a few more weeks. Maybe by then, Kyle and I would be a little stronger. A little more comfortable with the idea of re-entering the world as ourselves and not some fictitious person. “I like the idea of having more time.”
“As do I,” Miceli agreed. “Until then, we’re doubling security. You and Kyle will stay with us in the main house. If you need anything, order it and Robbie or Benny will go get it for you. If anything should happen and we are under attack,” he pointed to the bookcase to his right, the one I’d stared at several times over the last few months, curious about the books contained there, “20,000 Leagues is the lever. Behind the case is a panic room. Go there and don’t come out until police arrive.”
Trepidation added to the mix of nerves and fear. If Miceli was telling me where to run, did he already know something might happen? Shouldn’t we all be worried? “I’ll remember.”
