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They stopped at the crosswalk, and he pushed the button before focusing on her with his head cocked. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover?”
Smiling at him for the first time, she replied, “Just the opposite. My mother was always telling me what you see is usually what you get. That went doubly for people.”
The Walk sign lit up, and he didn’t say anything else until they reached the park on the other side. “So, you pegged me for a spoiled rich guy and are cynical enough to question why I’m slumming at the local shelter?”
Nicole shrugged. Let him believe she was shallow and judgmental. What did she care? He took the leash from her, switched it to his other hand, and clasped hers, saying, “It looks like I’ll have to convince you both I’m a nice guy worth getting to know.”
***
NICOLE HELD OUT HERbandaged arm, remembering the man who had been worth getting to know, not who he had become due to circumstances beyond his control. Tony spent an hour with her and Sam that afternoon then filled out the adoption papers before leaving. After learning he was the youngest of the elite, wealthy Renaldis, she’d tested his sincerity in wanting to get to know her when he asked her out. She would never forget her astonishment when he agreed to meet her at Bob’s Pizza, a small, family-owned pizzeria located in her old neighborhood. He’d arrived wearing jeans and a Mets T-shirt, looking genuinely happy to see her, leaving her no choice but to admit she was wrong to stereotype him. Tony Renaldi had been the nicest, most down-to-earth guy she’d ever met. She’d loved living with him, his unwavering support and encouragement these last two years while she finished college, and the way he stood up for her against his siblings constant attacks.
“No charges – no way in hell! Let me in there, damn you! I want that bitch who killed my brother to face me.”
Speaking of Tony’s siblings. Nicole sighed and sat up, wincing at the pull on the stitches in her shoulder and side. Natalie, Tony’s twin, was always the most vocal about her disapproval of Nicole and Tony’s relationship. She hated sharing her brother with anyone, especially someone she deemed so unsuitable for both Tony and the Renaldi name. She strained to hear what the nurses were telling Natalie, then a deeper, more authoritative voice seeped through the door.
“You’ll have to come with me, ma’am, and I insist you keep your voice down.”
Natalie’s arguments faded, and Nicole assumed security was escorting her out. When the police knocked and entered with her doctor a few minutes later, she figured they had explained the circumstances of Tony’s death, at least what she remembered telling them last night in the emergency room as pictures of her injuries were taken. She recognized the dark-haired, blue-eyed detective who had taken her statement, recalling the comfort of his compassion and assurances.
“Ms. Wells, do you remember me from last night? Detective Washburn.”
“Yes, I do, Detective. I heard Tony’s sister.” She switched her attention to the doctor who’d visited her earlier that morning. “When can I leave?”
“Today, if you’d like. You can have your stitches removed in the ER or by your doctor at a follow-up in two weeks. I’ll send you home with antibiotic and pain med prescriptions.”
The doctor wrote in her chart as Detective Washburn came up to the side of the bed. “I hate to tell you this, but the family is going to give you grief over their brother’s death. We already have a report from Tony’s oncologist, who verified the tumor and his escalating violent behavior due to the growing pressure in his head. Your injuries confirm you acted in self-defense, and you’re cleared of any wrongdoing. I have to ask, though, why you stayed, given the risk?”
Nicole tensed, finding the inquiry offensive, forcing herself to remain calm and unaffected before answering stiffly, “I don’t walk away from people I care about when they need me the most.”
They both gazed at her with a measure of respect, the detective sighing then squeezing her good shoulder. “Society would be better off with more people like you, willing to make sacrifices for others.”
Uncomfortable with praise, she shifted on the bed and turned her head toward the window again. “Yes, well, as it turned out, my staying didn’t help Tony. Just the opposite.”
“Or maybe it was a blessing he went fast instead of dying a slow, painful death,” the doctor said, closing her chart. “I’ll sign your discharge papers. Take care.”
Detective Washburn waited until the doctor left before telling her, “Natalie has been escorted out, and Michael and Douglas left with her. At least they tried to get her calmed down and under control, and showed no animosity toward you when I explained Tony’s attack. You have every right to refuse to see them, but I would advise you to move out of Tony’s house as soon as you can.”
Michael Renaldi, the eldest, had been the least vocal about objecting to her relationship with Tony, treating her with detached politeness, as if his little brother’s affairs were of no consequence. Douglas flat-out ignored her, and Natalie was in her face every chance she got. From what she recalled last night, the detective had thought it best to inform the family of Tony’s death early this morning instead of after midnight when he’d left the ER.
“I plan to,” Nicole replied, relieved not to face Tony’s siblings today. “My parents will pick me up when I’m dismissed and help me. I’ll be out later today with our dog.” She hardened her tone. “I won’t leave Sam.”
“If any of them make a stink about that, let me know.” He handed her his card. “Call me if they give you trouble. Otherwise, take care of yourself, Ms. Wells.”
“I will. Thank you, Detective.” She would start by vowing not to get emotionally involved again. She hadn’t been in love with Tony but couldn’t imagine the pain of losing him, especially under these circumstances.
All Nicole wanted now was to get Sam and heal at her parents’ house before making a decision on where to go from here.
***
“DAMN IT, MICHAEL, YOUmight be the oldest, but you can’t boss me around anymore. Let me go!” Natalie Renaldi yanked her arm out of her brother’s hold and swiped at the tears cascading down her grief-ravaged face.
Michael glared at her, his emotions in as much turmoil as his sister’s, then cast a look around the hospital parking lot, relieved no one stood gawking at them. Opening Natalie’s car door, he gestured toward the driver’s seat. “At thirty-two, I should not have to drag you away from making a public scandal of yourself. Your teen and college years were bad enough. It’s a good thing Susan overheard you on the phone telling one of your friends you were going to confront Nicole. I’m making an exception, this time, due to the circumstances even though I warned you not to come up here. Go home or return to my place and have a say-so in the funeral arrangements.”
“Your wife has always been nosy.” Fisting her hands on her hips, she sought Douglas’ help. “Are you really going to side with him and let her get away with killing our brother?”
“I’m siding with Michael right now, agreeing we should move this conversation someplace private. Come on, sis,” Douglas cajoled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We were prepared for Tony’s death, albeit not this soon or this way.”
Douglas, who went through life taking nothing seriously, had been quiet since the police called them together first thing this morning. Maybe too quiet. Michael worried about all his siblings and the family name. So far, he was the only one married with an heir, his son, Jerod, who’d just turned three. Before Tony’s medical diagnosis, he’d figured his youngest brother would eventually delegate Nicole to mistress status and marry someone more suitable for the Renaldi name, so he’d left Tony alone.
