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“I haven’t thought that far, baby. I’m taking things one step at a time.”
“This union, my love . . . it is an equal partnership, right?”
“I am sad that you feel the need to ask that. I would have thought it was obvious, but since you have asked, I will respond. Yes, my darling. Ours is an equal partnership.”
“Then what happens when we are on opposite sides of a spectrum?”
“We talk. That is the most important thing, baby. We should always be able to talk about everything.”
“OK. My preference would be to move somewhere else. I will never know peace anytime we are in Miami, and you are not withme. I will forever be nervous, and I don’t want to feel like that all the time, and I don’t want you to feel caged.
“You have a dream to do something great and meaningful and so needed in Africa, and so do I. Why don’t we just move there? It looked to me like you were eyeing South Africa. I love Johannesburg, even though I’ve never been . . . just what I’ve seen in the news and films, but I think I culd love it.
“I have no strong ties in America anymore . . . I have no friends, either. I have no problem just picking up and leaving.”
“But you do have family, my darling.”
“Yes, I do, but they will never accept you for as long as they believe you killed our dad. I’d like to tell them, just so they, too, can see you the way I see you and love you the way I love you, but my hands are tied. I am trapped between a rock and a hard place.”
“Oh, babe. Let’s try an figure out how to figure all these things out. Once this case is settled, we will have a clearer understanding of where things stand. We just might be able to tell them and pray they can be trusted to keep it quiet.”
“That would make me very happy. This is information they should know. They have a right to know who killed their father. It won’t change anything . . . it won’t bring him back, but they deserve to know. It might bring them some closure.”
“I agree. We will figure it out, but for now, baby, may I have some sugar?”
Chapter fifty-one
THE DOMINOES FALLING: JIMMY.
LIAM
Tony's lips press against mine as we share a passionate kiss, the warm water of the bath enveloping us. Each time I am in any room with Tony, I find myself thinking, “This is my favorite room in this house,” but it happens in every room. It can’t be the house or the room . . . it’s Tony. She makes everything in my life sparkle.
Case in point, take for instance, this bathroom we are in now. I take in the opulence of the room, from the marble floors and walls to the gilded fixtures . . . It is breathtaking today, but how many times have I come in here and not seen it? Looking at life through Tony’s eyes makes me see things with fresh eyes, making me appreciate things I always took for granted in a brand-new way.
I look at this bathroom with my woman in my arms, and I marvel at how beautiful everything is. The dim lighting creates an intimate atmosphere, while the scents from the bubble bathand various scented candles fill the air with a mix of lavender and vanilla. Soft jazz music plays in the background, and the love of my life lies in my arms, completing the romantic ambiance.
"I love you, Antonia Ricardo," I whisper, pulling away from Tony for a second as our eyes lock.
"Love you too," she murmurs, her hands gently stroking my back, my face, my chest, my abdomen.
We take turns washing each other; the touch of the washcloth is both soothing and sensual. Every so often, we feed each other fruit—strawberries, grapes, melon balls skewered with toothpicks for easy pickup, and tangerines, each bite followed by sips of chilled champagne from the ice bucket beside the tub.
Life doesn't get much better than this,I muse, utterly content.
My blissful reverie is shattered by the sound of my phone ringing, the special ringtone indicating it's Father O'Malley calling. Tony and I exchange worried glances.
"Something must be wrong," I say, heart racing.
"Let's not assume the worst yet. It could just be an update,” Tony replies, trying to reassure me, but it is evident she is spooked too.
Reluctantly, we leave the warm embrace of the bathtub and quickly dry off, slipping into plush white bathrobes before returning the call on Zoom.
"Father O'Malley," I greet Father as soon as he comes on, anxiety clear in my voice.
"Ah, Liam, Tony, I'm sorry to interrupt your afternoon," Father O'Malley says with a sympathetic smile, concern etched on his face, "But there's news that I thought you should know immediately."
"Is everything all right?" Tony inquires, gripping my hand tightly.
