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Heat pushes up in my neck, not because what he says is true—it’s not—but because of the way in which he says it. There’s a new lightness between us, a glimpse of something other than hate, and it makes me wish for things I can never have. I don’t know when the shift happened, if it was yesterday or the day before, or if it has been so gradual since the start that I haven’t noticed, but I do know that things are no longer the same between us. The notion ignites a spark of hope, but it also frightens me. It frightens me because I desperately want it when logic tells me it’s impossible. Not with deaths and vengeance between us.
The children return, cutting our banter short.
Angelo stands. “Come on, Johan. I’ll give you a ride in my car.”
Johan eyes the sports car. “Where to?”
“Let’s get you out of those stinking clothes and go find your brothers.”
Under the dirt on his face, Johan turns red as he glances in my direction. He doesn’t like Angelo to point out his grooming shortcomings in front of me.
“I’ll just wrap up the food then,” I say, not meeting my husband’s gaze as I get up too.
A short while later, Angelo takes off with Johan, who clutches a plastic container with the leftovers on his lap.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Angelo
* * *
We find the boys in the creek by the river, fishing for trout. They fall like vultures on the food Sabella packed. I call one of the guards to bring the 4x4. After bundling the kids inside, he drives them back to the house where Heidi takes care of delousing them before scrubbing them clean.
The clothes I ordered from Bastia are delivered not even an hour later, courtesy of my reputation. The shop owner made the selection and did the drop-off himself. Once the most urgent task of fitting them out in clean clothes is taken care of, I instruct Fabien to make more elaborate purchases.
Heidi feeds the lot in the kitchen, and then I ship them off to bed. Deciding against putting each one in his own bedroom in the old house, I put them up in the dormitory in the guard’s quarters for the night, which is situated a mile from the house. At least there, the men can keep an eye on them, and they won’t be tempted to vandalize my furniture and wreck my house.
I’m catching up with work after dinner when Uncle Nico shows up. Heidi brings him through to the study.
I get to my feet and round my desk. “Uncle.”
“Forgive me for calling so late.” He unwinds his scarf and removes his hat. “I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t important.”
“Naturally.” I go to the wet bar and take one of my father’s reds from the wine rack. “Drink?”
He dumps his hat and scarf on the coffee table and lowers himself with a groan into a chair. “Why not?” Brushing back his thinning hair with his fingers, he watches me shrewdly. “I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”
I unscrew the cork. I’ve been neglecting the vineyard. I should hire someone to manage it. Now that my father is no longer here, the vines are growing unattended, and the cellar is gathering dust.
The cork gives with a pop. I pour two glasses and carry them over to the lounge area.
My uncle takes the glass I offer and clinks it against mine. “To your health, Angelo.”
I study him as narrowly as he’s scrutinizing me. “And to yours.”
He takes a sip and pinches his mouth. His face pulls into a sour expression that he tries to control but fails to hide. Squinting at me through one eye, he says in a thin voice, “Nice wine.”
“It’s our own.” I suppress a sardonic grin as I take a seat opposite him. “I’ll send you a case. I still have a hundred of them in the cellar.”
He winces. “Thank you. That’s most kind.” Pulling at his collar, he cocks his neck. “About the reason for my visit…” He coughs. “Angelo, you should’ve told us about the girl.”
I cross my legs and raise a brow. “Which girl will that be?”
Frustration enters his tone. “The one living with your wife. Your niece, I assume?”
“Ah.” I smile. “Did Toma finally enlighten you?”
