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“Theo. Where is he?” My eyes start to water again. It felt so real. I could have sworn…
Gloria’s eyes are just as tear-filled. She lowers herself on the bed and hugs me. “I’m sorry, honey. Take your time. I can tell Father Thomas to come later… if you need.”
Why is she suddenly being so nice to me? This woman hated me. She wanted Theo to marry Lana not all that long ago. But now? I don’t know. I don’t understand it. I want to ask, but I don’t want to jinx it either. I’ll take the kindness, over her being cold and indifferent. “No, it’s fine. I’ll just have a quick shower.”
“Okay.” She runs her hands down my hair and inhales. “You smell like him,” she says absentmindedly, before rising to her feet and walking to the door.
It was just a dream… He wasn’t really here. He is gone, and I’m alone.
It’s not until I’m in the shower, lathering up my legs, that I see it. A bite mark on my ankle. Holy shit… Hewashere. That really did happen. I rush through my shower, wrapping a towel around myself and heading back into the bedroom. I almost walk past it, but sitting on the dresser is a phone. No note. Nothing. Just the phone. I power it on, and it asks for a password. I put in the first digits that come to mind: the day we signed our marriage paperwork. The phone unlocks and a message appears.
Yours: Dolcezza, use this sparingly. Remember that I love you, and that I’ll always come back for you. Stick to the plan.
I type back a quick response, and a huge sense of relief washes over me.
Me: I had the best dream last night. All of my wishes came true, and I held my entire world in my arms.
I put on the dress that Gloria left out for me. It’s absolutely stunning: a charcoal lace material, with a sweetheart neckline and a bodice that hugs my hips, then flares out down to my knees. The fabric feels luxurious. It’s so soft. I run my fingers through my hair and position it over my shoulder. I reread the message from Theo one more time before tucking the phone into my pocket. I love this dress even more now.It has pockets.
It’s time to face the music. I walk downstairs. I’m looking for everyone else when I run into a guard. “Mrs. Valentino.” He nods his head politely in my direction.
“Hi, ah… I’m sorry, but what was your name?” I ask. It feels extremely rude, having everyone know my name when I don’t know theirs.
“It’s Sonnie, ma’am.”
“Sonnie, good morning. Do you know where I might find my sister? Or my mother-in-law?”
“They’re all in the dining room.” Right, the dining room… I look from side to side.Which way’s the dining room?“Here, let me walk you there, ma’am,” Sonnie offers, realizing my confusion.
“Thank you so much.” I silently follow Sonnie through the house. I like him. I have a good feeling about him. “How long have you worked here?”
“Five years, ma’am,” he answers.
“You can call me Holly. I’m not old enough to be ama’am. Do you have a wife? Kids?”
He looks at me with a quizzical brow. “Ah, no, I don’t. Not yet.”
“Ever been to Australia?” I continue.
“No, I’ve never been outside of New York.”
“Oh, but you do have a passport? If not, how quickly could you get one?” I prompt.
“Ah, Mrs. Valentino, we can get anything we want within hours. Why? Are you in need of a passport?”
“Me? No. But I’m taking a trip back home after the service on Saturday, and I’m bringing you with me. Get a passport organized, Sonnie.”
“Ah, don’t take this the wrong way, Mrs. Valentino, but why me?”
I shrug. “I like you. T wouldn’t want me traveling without a team of his men, so I’m taking my pick. And you’re my first.” I smile as I walk past him and into the dining room.
My good mood is instantly put on the backburner as three death glares turn my way.
ChapterEight
What do they all have the shits about? I’m the one who’s lost her husband. I ignore all three of them, heading for the coffee pot set out on the buffet.
“Holly, darling, come and sit. You need to eat,” Gloria says.
