by Dana Delamar
She blew out the breath she’d been holding. “Including lying, cheating, and stealing?” she teased.
“If you wish.” He looked at her closely, his expression serious. “Will you forgive me?”
“Will you ever lie to me again?”
“Never.”
“You swear it?”
“On the graves of those I loved, I swear it.”
She looked into his eyes, so serious with his love for her. “Then I forgive you.”
He kissed her hand again. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She searched his face. It was impossible to know how the baby was affecting things, impossible to know if he loved her as much as he loved Antonella. He’d broken the law, he’d killed. But he wasn’t a cruel man. And he did love her. He had proven it in the most meaningful way possible. He had risked his life for hers. He had entrusted her with his two most important secrets.
And despite all the armor she thought she’d clad herself in, Enrico Lucchesi had touched her heart. She thought back to that day by the pool, how he’d brought her the hat and the sunscreen, how he’d moved the umbrella around to keep her shaded while she slept. They were little things, and yet they were everything true and decent about this man. He looked out for her, in all ways, large and small. If that wasn’t true love, what was? Her eyes blurred with tears, and she let go of his hand.
Enrico stared up at Kate, unable to read her expression. What were the tears about? Was it going to be a no after all? He was starting to look away from her, when her hand sought his. “You know, Enrico, there’s something you haven’t asked me.”
“What?”
“You haven’t asked me if I love you. I’ve never said it.”
“I do not need to hear it.” He wasn’t going to press her for it; what did it matter? Someday perhaps, she would tell him what he already knew.
She let out a little huff of laughter. “I’d think your wife should be willing to tell you she loves you.”
Hope kindled in him, that miniature sun glowing in his chest again. “She should.”
“She does.” She pulled her hand from his and stroked his cheek. “I love you, Rico.”
Joy arced through him. He forgot his injuries, forgot the pain, forgot where they were. All his dreams had been answered at once. He’d told her who he was and she’d understood. She’d forgiven him. And best of all, she loved him. She truly did. What a comfort to hear those words, to have her confirm what he’d thought was true, but had known only in his heart. And had she just agreed to be his wife as well? It was too much at once. If he didn’t do something, his heart would burst out of his chest.
He struggled out of the wheelchair and slid his arms around her, careful of their IVs, embracing her as gently as he could. Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked up at him. “I love you,” she whispered again, and he murmured it back, a lightness, a warmth, he hadn’t known for a long time filling his chest. He was whole again. Leaning down, he kissed her. Kate, his Kate, hugged him back until they both started to wince, and then he had to sit down, his legs ready to collapse.
He looked up at her. He had to be sure. “So you will marry me?”
She laughed this time, her face glowing. “Yes. That was a yes.”
“You have made me the happiest man alive.” He grinned at her, so wide it almost hurt.
“Likewise.” She stroked his face again. “I’m glad you didn’t let me get away.”
He stared at her for a while, his heart pumping wildly with happiness. He was about to risk kissing her again when a hard rap at the door grabbed their attention. They both turned to the doorway.
It was Dom. Enrico saw Kate’s eyes dart from Dom to him and back, comparing them, seeing how much they looked alike. He introduced them.
“A pleasure,” Dom said to Kate, inclining his head slightly, then he addressed Enrico. “I sense I am interrupting something.”
“Kate has just agreed to be my wife.” Surprise appeared on Dom’s face, followed by something else that flitted away before he could give it a name.
“Congratulations.” He clapped Enrico lightly on the back. “And I hear there is a child on the way?”
Enrico shook his head in amusement. “Antonio, yes? That boy and his mouth. Yes, we will be having a child.”
“I am very happy for you. Getting two things you have wanted for a long time.”
“Grazie.” Enrico waited a beat. “So what brings you here?”
“I wanted to see how you were.” He gave a significant glance at Kate. “And I wanted to discuss the ambush.”
“It was Andretti.”
“Of course. But the question is, how did he know where you were?”
“I have no idea.”
“We need to speak in private.”
“She knows.”
Dom frowned. “We do not involve wives in the business.”
With a laugh, Enrico said, “Next to you, Antonella was my closest advisor. She had a gift.”
Dom switched to Italian, using a Calabrian dialect Kate wouldn’t be able to follow. “It’s one thing to tell her who you are. It’s another to directly involve her. How do you know she doesn’t work for Andretti?”
Enrico’s gut burned, and he leaned back in the wheelchair. He answered Dom in dialect. “This again? Her husband nearly raped and killed her. She was just shot by Andretti’s men. If she’s on Carlo’s payroll, he’s trying damn hard not to pay her.”
“It could be a trap.”
“Hardly.” Enrico switched back to English. “I have had enough of that subject. Do not mention it again.”
“Fine. But someone close to you is behind this.”
“I already know who it is.”
Dom’s brows shot up. “You do?”
“It must be Trucco.”
“Perhaps. But how would he know exactly where you were today? This had to be arranged by someone very close to you. I hate to say it, but we cannot rule out Antonio. Or Ruggero.”
“I trust Ruggero. He has men watching Trucco. And others.”
Dom froze, his eyes narrowing. “Who is under surveillance? Why have you not told me?”
“It is my life that is in danger, and there is a traitor in my midst. Therefore, I have chosen to trust only one person with the details.”
“I am your second in command.” Hurt shadowed Dom’s face.
“Surely you can see the necessity.”
Dom looked at the floor for a second, then back at Enrico. “I am just… surprised not to know, that is all.”
A cold hand gripped Enrico’s heart. Dom should be yelling at him right now, asking why he didn’t trust him. Dom should be cursing and pacing and throwing up his hands. Dom should be acting like Dom. But he wasn’t. Don Battista’s words came back to him: He is hardening his heart against you.
“We should know soon who it is. You will be the first to know after me.”
Dom nodded absently. He seemed to be lost in thought. Then he said, “I must go.” He stepped around to the other side of the bed and took Kate’s hand. “Signora, please allow me to welcome you to the family. You will bring my cousin much joy. He has longed for an heir, and now he will have one, at last.” He paused a moment. “He loved Antonella deeply, and you are lucky to be marrying such a devoted man. I do not think I love my wife half as much as Enrico loved his. I hope you will be happy becoming part of our family.”
Enrico’s jaw clenched. His devotion to Toni was the last thing Kate needed shoved in her face. Surely Dom knew that. He looked at Kate, but she seemed serene.
“Mille grazie, Domenico. I look forward to getting to know you and your family.”
“As do I.” He kissed her hand, then left without another word.
Once the door shut, Kate looked at Enrico. “He hates me, doesn’t he?”
So she had noticed Dom’s needling. “Why do you say that?”
“Whatever he said to you—I assume that was some dialect I don’t know—it was
about me, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” Enrico sighed. “He thinks you are working for Carlo.”
She laughed, then groaned and pressed a hand to her wound. “If I am, he’s the worst boss ever.”
“I know. I have pointed out the madness of what he is saying. He sees spies everywhere.”
“Antonio, I assume?”
He nodded. “He even suggested Ruggero.”
“Do you think he’s trying to divert your attention?”
“From what?”
“From himself.”
Enrico rubbed his chin. “The thought has crossed my mind.” But he kept pushing it away. He knew Dom was angry, but this much?
“I know he’s your cousin.” She squeezed his hand. “But sometimes the people who are closest to you are the ones who hate you the most.”
“I do not want to believe it.” And he wouldn’t. Not without proof.
Her voice was soft. “It takes a lot of love to breed strong hate.”
“Are you trying to console me with that?”
She smiled. “That wasn’t very good, was it?”
“Not at all.” He laughed.
“I’ll work on it.” She caressed his cheek.
“Please do not. I always want the truth from you. As much as it hurts.”
She stared at him, her gaze holding weight. “We’re on the same page then.”
“Always.” He sat back in the chair, feeling abruptly exhausted. His left side ached, and there was no way he could manage the chair and the IV on his own. “Antonio!” he called. He turned to Kate. “I need to rest, cara.”
“We’ve had a bit too much excitement these last few days, haven’t we?”
“A bit. But some of it was good, yes?” He was so happy he barely cared that someone wanted them dead. Kate was his, finally his. He’d sort through the rest later.
“Very, very good,” she said, smiling.
Kate watched Antonio come in and take Enrico away. When they were gone, her mind drifted back to what Domenico had said to her. It was a nice, pretty speech on the surface. But he was warning her, telling her that Enrico was marrying her for the baby, that he’d never love her the way he loved Antonella. And that last bit at the end, he was reminding her that she was part of all this now. Part of the family. Part of the Mafia.
And the only way out was in a pine box.
CHAPTER 26
Enrico wasn’t surprised to see Fuente at his hospital room door the next day. He was surprised, however, by Fuente’s high spirits. “By your grin, I take it my situation amuses you?” Enrico asked.
Fuente removed his cap and smoothed back his dark hair, shaking his head. “It’s not that, signore. It’s merely that you seem to be thrust into a dangerous game, one with little hope of escape. Luckily—”
“You’re not in the middle of it.” Fuente shrugged, and Enrico finally understood. “Ah, you’re glad you’re on the winning side.”
The glance Fuente gave him was knowing. “You are beset on all sides, signore. No one to trust. Except perhaps me.”
Enrico laughed hard, grabbing his left side when pain flared through him. He blew out for a second, waiting for it pass. Then he looked at Fuente. “You? Why would I ever trust you?”
“I can help.” Fuente picked up the vase of flowers sent by Giacomo Parini and looked at it, then set it back down.
What was Fuente up to now? “How?”
“That evidence from the Dinelli case. The gun that mysteriously disappeared….”
“Yes, let’s talk about that. Why did only one gun involved in that case have fingerprints on it? That was quite convenient for Carlo.”
Fuente gave him a quizzical look. “And what would Signor Andretti have to do with that?”
“He stood to lose as much in front of Judge Dinelli as I did. He framed me.”
“Not too well. He lost the witness and then most surprisingly the evidence. Do you expect me to believe that’s what happened?”
Enrico flushed, hoping it looked like he was in pain. It was best to say nothing sometimes. This was one of those times.
“The cat has eaten your tongue, I see.” Fuente sat down and stroked his moustache as he looked at Enrico.
“I’m innocent. I was not involved in the death of Judge Dinelli.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not. But you are not innocent, signore. Never that.”
Enrico couldn’t find the words to argue. He hadn’t ordered the murder, but he’d certainly exacted his revenge on the one who’d betrayed him, and he’d certainly tampered with the process of justice. “So what do you think you can do for me, Maresciallo Capo Fuente?”
Fuente pointed to the badge on his shoulder. “I’m a second lieutenant, now, thanks to you.”
“Congratulations, Sottotenente. Again, I wonder what you think you can do for me.”
“I have heard, perhaps, that this missing gun can be found. Avoiding a long prison sentence, that would be worth something, yes?”
Was he bluffing? “It would be. But someone wants me dead. I’m more concerned about that.”
“And if I could help you with that matter?”
“That would indeed be worth something to me.”
Fuente seemed to be deliberating some matter. Then he said, “My children’s tuition has gone up again.”
“Escalating costs are a certain path to ruin.”
“Not if you know the right people.” Fuente grinned and leaned forward. “I’ll let you have this tidbit for free though. Franco Trucco is out for blood.”
“That’s not news to me.”
“Ah, but I think there’s a detail you do not know. Trucco has revealed something to Signor Andretti that has enraged him. A secret of yours. About a son in England?”
Enrico went cold to his core. “How did you hear this?”
“A friend.”
His heart racing, Enrico grabbed his mobile phone. “I have calls to make, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course.” Fuente stood up, placing his cap on his head.
A question occurred to Enrico. “Why did you tell me this?”
“I might find having a Lucchesi in Interpol useful someday. And I think I might find you doubly generous in the future.”
He nodded. “Your children will have the best educations money can buy.”
“You are a saint among sinners, Signor Lucchesi.”
As the door was closing behind Fuente, Enrico punched in the number of his top man in London. There was much to arrange, and little time, if any, to do so.
When Tyrell answered, Enrico rapidly explained what was needed and why. “Use discretion, but keep him safe. Do not contact him directly or tell him anything unless you need to.” Tyrell gave him his word, and Enrico told him he would call back later.
He snapped the phone shut, his stomach in a tight ball. Please God, don’t let Nico die.
Enrico and Kate were discharged from the hospital a couple days later, both of them sore from their wounds, but fully on the mend. Tyrell assured Enrico that his son was safe, that he’d made all the arrangements with Nico’s supervisor to keep him away from London and out of reach for several weeks. It was the best they could do without telling Nico anything directly. If all went well, he’d never suspect a thing.
Sick of being cooped up in the hospital, Enrico had taken Kate out to the back terrace to get some sun and fresh air. They hadn’t been home more than a few hours when Ruggero sought him out. “Antonio was right.” He held up a small black device in a plastic bag. “This tracker was on the Maserati.”
Enrico extended his hand for it. He turned the bag over, studying the device that had almost been their death. “Are there others?”
“I am checking all the cars myself. So far, no.”
“How do we find out who planted this?”
“I will have it checked for fingerprints.”
“Do the polizia know about it?”
Ruggero shook his head, and Enrico handed the tracker back to him.
“Anything from the surveillance?”
“Nothing conclusive.”
“I don’t like not knowing.” Enrico tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair.
The grim lines of Ruggero’s face hardened. “Neither do I. We will have an answer soon.”
“I hope we have it in time.” Enrico reached out and took Kate’s hand. Then he looked back at Ruggero. “There are three of us counting on you now.”
Ruggero nodded. “I will not fail you.”
Giacomo Parini arrived later that afternoon with a large black case. He met privately with Enrico in his study. “I have brought what you asked for, Don Enrico,” he said, opening the case.
Enrico studied the rings before him. “Which would you give to the woman who owned your heart?”
“This one.” Parini pointed to a ring in the middle row. “It’s not the most expensive, nor the largest. But the diamonds have the most clarity, the most sparkle.”
Enrico held the ring under the lamp on his desk. The diamonds refracted the light beautifully, sending out prisms of color. “I’ll take it.”
“Bene.” Parini smiled, then his face sobered. “I’m worried, Don Enrico. This attempt on your life, it was most serious. I’m not the only one who’s concerned. Many merchants have come to me, questioning whether they should go over to the Andrettis. They fear what will happen if you die.”
“So, to avoid the lava, they would jump into the mouth of Vesuvius?”
Parini shook his head. “I know. Your father told me the reason for Andretti’s exile. About the boy in the barrel. Perhaps more people should know that story?”
Enrico shrugged. “Do what you think best.” He gripped the old man by the shoulder. “If something happens to me, the cosca will protect you. It will go on without me.” It just won’t be the same.
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
He smiled at Parini, hoping it reached his eyes. “I have a wife to marry and a child on the way. I have everything to live for. I will see Carlo Andretti in the ground.”
After Parini left, Enrico sat at his desk admiring the ring. Where and when should he give it to Kate? He wanted to make it a moment she’d always remember. He’d love to take her back to Capri, to propose in that lush little thicket where they’d made love. But there wasn’t time right now. He needed something nearby.