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“Oh.Oh. I didn’t know you would be here.”
Rafe came forward, his expression so painfully tender that I found it difficult to watch. Who was this man? He definitely wasn’t the cynical, paranoid one I’d arrived with.
“Of course I’m here,” Rafe murmured. “It’s your birthday, Nonna. I couldn’t miss that. I’ve missed too many already.”
Nonna let out a happy cry and embraced him. “I know you have,bambino. But you’re back now. And so skinny! Well, I’ll fix that.”
Rafe leaned down into the hug, his eyes closing as she stroked his hair. I couldn’t hear what he was saying to her, but I could read the love between the two, and it took me off guard. I hadn’t had that. It twisted me up inside watching them. My father had loved me; I knew that. But being gentle didn’t come naturally to him. He’d wanted me to be smart and independent and not to need anyone. I hadn’t gotten many hugs, though there had been pats on the back for a job well done before my father retreated back to his office. My brothers weren’t the demonstrative types either. Mainly they ignored me unless they needed something.
I’d figured that was just how most men were. They weren’t as emotional as women. After a while I’d learned not to expect hugs or softness. The way to gain my father’s love was by providing results. Straight As on my report card. Winning a tennis tournament. That was how to get acknowledgment or the rare smile.
But this, this unabashed joy flowing from one to the other, wasn’t something I was familiar with. And the longing I felt watching it took me completely off guard.
“Ba, ba, ba, ba.” The baby in my arms babbled and blew a small spit bubble. Then she looked at me and grinned.
When Lucia appeared at my elbow, I handed the baby back and mumbled an excuse about needing the bathroom. But truthfully what I needed was a break.
I’d thought I knew everything I needed to know about Rafe from my research and my surveillance. But the man I was slowly getting to know wasn’t anything like the stone-cold killer I’d come here expecting.
So which one was the real Rafe?
CHAPTERFIVE
Rafe
“You’re sure you’re okay? You’re not hurting too bad?”
“Yes. I told you I’m fine. I’m just a little sore—it’s nothing.”
She’d been off all day. Well, off since pretty much yesterday. I’d been trying to figure it out. She’d seemed fine at the party. But now something wasn’t right.
I lived downtown near Chelsea Piers. So that morning we’d taken a walk, grabbed breakfast at one of those trendy hipster spots. Like a normal—well, couple.
Except you’re not a couple, are you?No, but you want to be, obviously. Dumb ass. But my point was, everything should have been fine. But it wasn’t. Quiet introspection I could handle, but this felt different. It felt like brooding.
“Everyone was cool to you yesterday, right? Noah’s a good kid, but sometimes he can be an asshole.”
She shifted her gaze off the television to meet his. “No. Noah was perfectly nice.”
“Did JJ say something? Listen, she’s brash, but you know, she’s pretty cool—”
She laughed. “I don’t know. I kinda liked her. And I don’t think she’s brash. I think she’s awesome. She really will say anything. I almost swallowed my chicken wing whole when she told Oskar that her dick was bigger than his.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “I don’t doubt it.”
“I swear, I’m fine. I’m just thinking, you know? Your family is lovely. So, so… nice. Normal. Which is weird.”
I frowned. “What, you expected a three-eyed, three-horned, giant purple people eater?”
“If you’re referring to that giant purple vibrator JJ was talking about, then possibly.”
I chuckled. “JJ is hilarious. Next time ask her about risking her life in an apartment fire to save her fish. You should have seen Jonas’s face when he realized she’d run back in to rescue that thing while she was practically naked.”
I still couldn’t believe that shit. I had been worried about her once we’d gotten the alarm. But Jonas had been beside himself. I had never seen the guy like that before. But then, when Jonas discovered what she’d run back into the apartment for, he’d about lost it.
“If you’re sure things are okay, I’ll just have to trust you.” The hell I would. My instincts had served me well over the past fifteen years or so. Something was wrong, and I’d figure out what it was. I was nothing if not patient.
She sighed. “Okay. look. If you must know, I sort of walked in on Noah and Lucia you know…”
