“What do you mean, stay here?” he asked abruptly. “Does the idea of us living together disturb you that much?”
Her denial was swift. “N-no,” she stammered, shaking her head. “I think it just might be best for everyone---”
“A physical separation is out of the question.” Frustrated, he raked a hand through his coif. “How do you think Meghan would react to this? It would devastate her if you’re not there. And I’d be existing in a living hell,” he muttered with a wounded look. “You’re also dismissing the fact that Santini would totally take advantage of the situation. While it seems that he’s neutralized right now, he’s still a threat. You wouldn’t be safe here.”
She raised her chin stubbornly. “I can take care of myself.
“I have no doubt about that. But, Santini and his father are very dangerous men, and they’re capable of anything---even murder. You can be mad at me or hate me if you want, but I’m not going to allow you to put your life at risk.”
“You’re right, I don’t know what I was thinking,” she admitted, looking at him. “If only I could remember something about this supposed evidence that I’ve hidden, then maybe Victor and his father could pay for their crimes.”
“I meant what I said before that there are professionals here in the city that can help you maybe. And I apologize again for overstepping my bounds in talking with Dr. Roma without consulting you first. For that, I’m sorry.”
“Even if you did overstep, I know that you were only trying to help me,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry, too, for my behavior earlier because I know that you meant well. It’s just seems that I have a short fuse lately.”
“And we both know who’s responsible for that, don’t we?” He looked around the studio. “What are your thoughts on all of this?”
“I love it, and I’m impressed at my own talents. Back at Eastwood, I began finding tinges of it. You know what, I’m going to finish working on the collection that I started there,” she murmured thoughtfully, gliding toward the flat easel to admire the painting. “Do you suppose that there’s a room in the mansion that I can set up and do my work?”
“Of course,” he nodded. “I’m sure that we can make accommodations and find room for you to set up. When we return, we’ll discuss it with Rosa and get her idea about things.”
“Perfect. Then, I can grab some things before we leave and take them with me.” She hesitated. “But, still, I’d like to come here sometimes.”
“That will only be possible if someone accompanies you. You can’t come alone.”
“In that case, you better clear some time on your busy schedule,” she stated firmly, pursing her lips. “I’m not going to be trailed by some stranger or bodyguard.”
“Alright,” he nodded. “That can be arranged. By the way, you never showed me what you were working on before. Was it themed like these pieces?”
Themed as if all Sebastian Armani, her inner voice teased.
“Yes,” she nodded, flushing red. “It has a very obvious theme. It’s probably more personal than the work that’s here. When looking at this, I’m gathered to say that it’s my most impressionable work yet.”
“Interesting,” he said thoughtfully. “Does it even remotely resemble any of the work here?”
“I, uh, I guess you could so that it does.”
“Well, it’s good that the connection’s there,” he noted with a brisk nod. “Most of the collections here are labeled with a distinct name. What is the name of the collection?”
Falling for You, her inner voice whispered again.
“I-I’d rather not say until it’s completely finished,” she stammered, tilting her chin stubbornly. “I don’t want to jinx my creative flow.”
“I hardly doubt that’ll happen. But, then again, you’re an artist, and I’m not,” he acknowledged. “After things have settled with Santini, we’ll make arrangements to retrieve them.”
“While I cringe at the idea of talking about Victor and his father, I have to ask. How are things going in the case against them? Have there been any developments at all?”
“Let me say that it’s a work in progress,” he evaded, meeting her gaze head on. “I won’t lie to you. Before long, things are going to get nasty.”
“If it involves guns and violence, I want you far away from it,” she stated, feeling the fear creep on again. “The last thing that I want is for you to get hurt.”
“Things are well under control, and when there is something concrete, I will tell you.”
She sighed. “Why do I get the feeling that there are secrets, even here in this place? I wish that I could remember about this supposed evidence that I’ve compiled. It’d make things so much easier.”
“And much dangerous for you and your well-being,” Sebastian corrected her, releasing a tired breath. “I want you as far away from any danger as possible.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, looking at him.
“For what?” he frowned.
“I don’t do it enough---thanking you for looking out for me and protecting me.”
“I just want you to be safe, and that means me doing anything to make sure that it happens.”
“And I know that’s true,” she whispered. “But, I don’t want you to do anything that’ll put you in harm’s way. For my sake and Meghan’s, please, promise me that you won’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“Don’t ask me to make a promise that I can’t keep. But, I can say this. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it to protect you and Meghan. If it means giving up everything, I will.”
It was those words that haunted her as they made it across town. An hour later, even as they shared lunch at an intimate cafe, her thoughts were distracted.
If he risked it all, would it mean she’d lose him forever?
Chapter 11
“You are really becoming an avid horse woman,” Vanessa said truthfully, three days later, leading the small pony on further along the widespread area. Again, she appreciated the nature’s beauty as she inhaled the fresh country air. “I am so proud of you.”
“Then, why won’t you let me do it by myself?” Meghan whined, grasping the pony’s reigns in her tiny hands. “You’re still holding onto the strings and leading me and Spotty-Face. You won’t let’em go.” Still, her pout was evidenced in her voice. “When my birthday comes and I turn 8, I’m riding all by myself, and nobody’s gonna stop me.”
“I’m extremely disappointed with your attitude and words right now. It’s not like you to behave in such a manner,” she scolded. “And being an eight year old kid doesn’t give you the right to make decisions like that, Meghan.” Sighing, she ended their trek. “I know that you’re eager to try this alone. But, sweetheart, you’re still in the learning phase. I guess that’s another way of saying you’re practicing, and someday, you will be able to ride alone. But, that’s not now.”
“You sound just like Daddy,” the little girl huffed, and a frown screwed her little face. “He won’t let me do any of the fun stuff by myself.”
“That’s because he’s your father, and he has the right to make the decisions for you,” she chastised, firming her lips. “And I want you to promise that you’ll never go against your father wishes or mine and try to ride Spotty-Face alone. Promise me.”
“I promise.” She passed her a sulking look. “Are you going to start dispointing me like Daddy?” A quiver shook her voice. “He’s done it since Eastwood.”
“Disappointing, you mean,” she corrected, staring up at her, and then realization hit. Grasping the reigns, she began leading the pony again. “Come on kiddo. I think Spotty-Face needs a rest, and we need to talk about some things.”
A few minutes later, she discovered the spread of trees, and thankfully, it also offered shade from the summer sun. At least today, they’d both dressed for the part with both of them wearing shorts and spaghetti-strap tops. After leading the pony the rest of the way, she tied her off before lifting Meghan from its back. They s
at down on the grass cross-legged and faced one another. Rather than looking at her, the little girl tugged on the small blades of grass.
Their conversation would definitely be a hard one.
“Meghan, look at me,” she said softly. “It’s just the two of us out here alone, so we can talk about the private stuff.”
The little girl’s teary eyes met hers. “You won’t get mad at what I tell you?”
“How can I, sweetheart? I can’t be angry with you because of the way you feel. That’s not how things work when you care about someone.” She wiped the tears from the child’s cheeks. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“You promise you won’t?” Meghan sniffled, holding her tiny finger out, and closed it around hers before giving it a squeeze. “Pinky swear?”
“Pinky swear.”
“I’m mad at Daddy, and I’m mad at you,” Meghan confessed, chin quivering. “The two of you lied to me.”
“Ok,” she murmured, studying her close, and grasped her small hand. “Let’s take things one at a time. Why don’t we talk about why you’re mad at your Daddy first? Then, we’ll take about why you’re upset with me. Deal ?”
Meghan acquiesced with a nod.
“Go ahead,” she encouraged her with a gentle smile. “I’m listening.”
“Remember when me and Maria had our sleep over?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Daddy and Uncle Javier went somewhere, and they didn’t come back. I was so scared,” Meghan hiccupped on a sob. “Me and Daddy have been together forever. He promised that he’d never leave me, but he did! He left that day and he didn’t come back!”
“I can assure you that your father has a good explanation as to why he couldn’t come back that night,” she hedged, trying not to reveal too much. “When your father didn’t return, I left to find him. He and I were together on the boat when this huge storm came up. It was too dangerous to go through. Because we were trying to work our way around it, we had to venture further out so we’d be safe.”
Her little eyes widened. “You and Daddy were in a storm?”
“Yes, and we were safe. It made us both feel better that we didn’t have to go through it alone. He missed you---I missed you. So, you see, your father never left you at all.”
“That makes me happy and sad,” Meghan said, wiping a grubby hand across her face. “I’m sad that you and Daddy had to be in that bad storm. But, I’m happy that y’all made it.” Then, confusion played across her face. “But, Daddy was gone forever, and they kept telling me that he was safe, but I couldn’t see him. I don’t get it.”
“Trust me on this kiddo, your father has a good reason for that, too. But, right now, we can’t talk about it.”
“It’s grown-up stuff, ain’t it?” Meghan said, eyeing her. “Too completed for a kid to understand.”
“Too complicated, silly,” she smiled, tweaking her nose, and then sobered. “Yes, it’s going to be a long while before your father and I can share that story with you.”
“I’ve been mean to him for nothing, then. I told him I hated him, but I don’t. I love Daddy so much,” Meghan sniffled against more tears. “How can I make him not be mad at me for that?”
“Your Daddy loves you more than anything in this big world,” she acknowledged, spreading her arms wide. “That’s a lot of space for him to accept your apologies.”
Meghan gave a childish nod. “That is a lot of love. Hey, I know what I can do! Daddy loves oatmeal raisin cookies and chocolate milk,” Meghan exclaimed, perking up. “Me and Rosa can bake some!”
“His sweet tooth is worse than ours when it comes to oatmeal raisin cookies, isn’t it?” she teased, tickling her ribs. “If he’s not careful, he’s going to have a mouth full of cavities!”
“Especially if he eats the whole plate,” Meghan giggled, squirming against the playful tickling.
Allowing the exuberance to take over, they played, but after a few minutes, they returned to the touchy subject.
“You want to tell me why you’re upset with me?” she probed, glancing up, and then braided the blades of grass together. “I’d really like to understand.”
Suddenly growing shy, the little girl looked away from her. “Never mind. It’s just stupid anyway.”
“Don’t say that,” she chastised gently. “And I need you to look at me while we discuss this.”
With reluctance, Meghan looked at her.
“Go on. I’m listening.”
“Why don’t you love my Daddy anymore?” Meghan whispered with a hurtful look.
She couldn’t hide the shock as it reverberated through her. “Meghan, why would you even say something like that?”
“Told you that you’d get mad,” the child said sullenly, snapping the thin blades of grass from the ground. Then, she looked at her bravely. “I want to know why you don’t love my Daddy. He’s the best person in this whole wide world.”
She gulped past the thick tears lodged in her throat. “I love your father, more so than any words can even explain.”
“Then, how come you don’t smile at him like you used to? And you’re always looking sad when he’s around.”
“Sweetie, if there was a way that I could make you understand why things are the way that they are, I would,” she sighed, pulling her across her lap. “Your dad and I are going through some things, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t care about each other.”
“You still love each other?” Meghan asked, not able to disguise the hope in her voice. “Just like the prince and the princess?”
“Just like the prince and princess,” she agreed, propping her chin against her head. “Think about it. In fairytales, don’t the prince and princess always have a problem to solve?”
“Yeah, sometimes they have big problems.”
“Well, just like them, we have to figure things out.”
“And when you do, there’ll be a happy ever after, right?” Meghan asked, peering up at her.
She smiled down at her. “Right.”
“But, your princess story is different from the other princess stories,” the little girl said, squirming in her lap until she could see her fully. Still, she couldn’t hide her hopefulness. “Not a little different, but a lot different.”
“Most princesses don’t get a little girl like you’re getting me. They don’t get to be a new mommy. I love you, Nessa,” Meghan said shyly, and huge tears pooled in her green eyes. “I can’t wait for you to be my mommy for real.”
“And I love you,” she sniffled, hugging her close. “Us being a family---I promise that the wait won’t be for much longer. We will be together.”
As she held the child close, she finally faced the inevitable truth.
She could never walk away from them.
They were all that she’d ever want.
And tonight, she’d tell him of her decision.
“Can I ride for a few more minutes before we go back?” Meghan asked, several long moments later. “We don’t have to go too far. Please, Nessa?”
“Oh, you little stinker. Why do you have to be so cute and charming?” she teased, tugging on the little girl’s ponytail, and then grabbed the lead rope again. “Just a few more minutes, okay? The sun will be blistering hot in a little while, and we don’t want to get sunburned.”
“Okay.”
They walked further out, venturing way past the spread of trees that’d bee their recluse earlier. But, this part of the estate, she frowned, gazing around at the barren trees and dry patches of dirt speckled among the grass, it wasn’t as lavishly adorned as the rest of the property.
Just ahead, several feet away, a man-made fence with a no-trespassing sign stretched across the space. The woods behind it were thick, but not enough to mask the gutted frame of the badly burnt home. On past the huge trees and branches, she caught sight of the badly scorched brick, mortar, and lumber.
Considering the upkeep of the rest of the estate, it was odd that it hadn’t been cleared off, sh
e mulled, distracted. Even more strangely, Sebastian hadn’t mentioned that there was even another home on the property, especially one that was burnt to the ground.
“Nessa, what is it?”
Nudging the lead rope gently, she halted the pony’s trek. “We have to turn back,” she replied, trying to hide her wayward thoughts. “This is as far as we go.”
“What’s that in the woods?” Meghan asked, straining to get a closer look. “Is that a house?”
She led the pony in the opposite direction. “I don’t know what it is, sweetheart. But, we better head back.”
Later that afternoon, after they’d finished with the last batch of oatmeal raisin cookies, she broached the subject with Rosa when they were alone.
“Rosa, I have to ask you something,” she began tentatively, taking a bar stool at the counter.
Standing at the stove with her back to her, stirring a large spatula in the simmering pot, Rosa broke away from her humming. “And what’s that?”
“At some point, was there another house besides this one on the estate?”
Hesitating, Rosa went dead-still. “What do you mean?”
“A short while ago, Meghan and I came upon it during our daily jaunt,” she replied, staring at the woman’s stiffened form. “It was fenced off with a no-trespassing sign. From the looks of things, the place is completely burned down to the ground.” A frown knitted her forehead. “Did some of Sebastian’s family live here as well at some point? It’s seems that the home was rather large.”
Rosa carefully laid the spatula on the stovetop, and then turned to face her. “You really and truly don’t know everything’s that happened, do you?” Rosa asked quietly with a serious expression. “The events of that night were past horrifying.”
“Rosa, what happened?” she asked with concern.
“I’ll explain things later,” Rosa said in a rush, turning away, and stiffened further. “But, we can’t talk about it with Sebastian in the house. When we’re alone, I’ll tell you everything.” She paused. “Whatever you do, don’t ask Sebastian about it. It’ll cause an emotional firestorm that will rage out of control.”
The Darkest Days (Torn Apart Book 2) Page 16