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A small smile spreads across his face. “We all have layers, love.”
I nod. “That’s correct. And I think we need to speed up our plans so we don’t get caught unaware again.”
“It’s going to take a while before they find us. Meanwhile, I’ll get some guys to work with us. While we’re here, they’ll do some recon on Giorgio’s next move. We need to make them think they’ve scared us off or things might get deadly.”
I nod. “How’s your wrist? Does it hurt?"
Marcello turns the wrist left and right. “Yeah.”
“I can help. Where’s the first aid kit?”
“Under the bathroom sink.”
I stand up and follow his directions while peeking in the rooms. This really is a beautiful cabin tucked away on a mountain. His friend and his wife have gone all out to make sure it feels like a home of its own.
I find the bathroom and the kit. It feels good to trust that Marcello has a solid plan and that I’m not alone. He’s been the best gift life’s given me in a while. He’s my kind of man, and he makes me want to dream again. And I can’t ignore the fact that I'm falling for him any longer.
“Okay, let me see,” I say, sitting next to him and taking his hand. I open the first aid box and begin the process of cleaning the cuts I see. Then I start to wrap his wrist with a bandage. His wrist looks swollen, but hopefully this will help.
“I told you about my plans. What do you intend to do once this is over?"
He winces. “When this over, I’ll know my life is safe. And I’ll get to restructure Giorgio’s way of doing business. All he cares about is money. Human lives means nothing to him, and that’s why I’ve come to despise him.”
I finish winding the bandage around his wrist while pondering about us. A heaviness descends on me as his response replays in my mind. I thought maybe he’d include something about me in his plans, but it seems like that’s no longer at the front of his mind.
“What about you?” His question pierces through my thoughts, and I stare at him. His eyes shift to my lips and back to my eyes. Damn, I should never have fallen for him. I press my lips together and shrug. “I’ll probably return to Lexington.”
He winces. “Kentucky?”
I nod my head slowly. “I don’t see myself staying here after my brother’s death. It’s like I see him everywhere I turn. I’m not sure if I can live with that every day.”
He twists his bandaged wrist, peering at me admirably. “Nice work. You really are a woman with many talents.”
I shut the first aid kit and lean back. “Thank you. So are you.”
We sit, staring at each other for a moment, and then he breaks the eye contact. I try to read him, but it’s difficult to do. His face doesn’t leave a clue about what’s on his mind. He leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees to sit in a hunched position. His eyes are glued on the table.
“What’s in Lexington?” he asks quietly.
“No one really. Just good memories.” Marcello stares at me. “Angelo and I grew up there. Losing our parents and following Angelo’s dream is what brought us here.”
Now, I don’t have a reason to stay unless Marcello… I push the thought aside before I can entertain it.
“I’m sorry about him.”
My gaze snaps to his. “It’s okay.”
He cocks his head. “I bet he’s smiling down at you.”
“I guess we don’t know the magnitude of love we have for the people around us until we lose them. I never knew I could be this courageous and resilient. But here I am.” My eyes are desperately looking for anything in the room to look at but him.
“You’re right. Come here.” He spreads his arms, and I fall into them, leaning my head on his shoulder. “You know what? I’m sure Angelo is happy, wherever he is now.”
I wrap my arm around his waist, loving how he massages my scalp.
“Thank you,” I say with a yawn.
“Alright sleepyhead. You'll sleep in the bedroom, while I sleep here. I have to be on the watch.”
