Page 30 of A Touch of Fate

When I woke in the middle of the night, Samuel wasn’t in bed with me. I sat up and turned on the light. Blinking against the sudden brightness, I put on my nightgown which lay beside me and scooted to the edge, then slid into my wheelchair.

What if he’d lied? What if he was with F. right this very moment?

I shook my head and moved toward the elevator in the hallway, then let it take me downstairs.

It was dark except for a sliver of light coming from Samuel’s office at the end of the hallway branching off the entryway.

I followed the light. The door was ajar, but it was silent behind it.

Swallowing, I nudged the door with my hand, and it swung inward.

I wheeled inside, then stopped when I spotted Samuel on the couch, his head tilted to the side, his expression softer than usual in sleep.

It couldn’t be comfortable for him to sleep like this.

I moved closer and noticed the almost empty bottle of gin beside Samuel on the sofa.

How much had he drunk? I got even closer, and the intense smell of alcohol hit me.

Considering how deeply Samuel slept despite being a Made Man and trained to be vigilant, I feared he’d drunk most of the liquor tonight.

Why? Because I’d accused him of cheating? Because I was right? Samuel didn’t strike me as someone who would let that bring him to his knees. But how well did I really know my husband?

His phone must have dropped to the floor. It lay beside his naked foot on the hardwood floor. It was his second phone. Supposedly his phone for unsavory characters. Keeping my eyes on Samuel, I bent forward, trying not to make a sound, and reached for the phone.

Should I really spy on him again after his reaction yesterday?

With my fingertips against the phone, I hesitated. Samuel wanted me to trust him, but his actions made it difficult. Why did he come down here to get drunk?

A battle raged inside me. I hated being like this, so distrusting.

I wanted to believe Samuel. But his secrecy and all the words that our society had put in my head were messing with me.

I hated it. My fingers curled around the phone when Samuel stirred.

I jerked up, dropping the phone. Samuel leaped up, pulling his gun, his eyes harsh until they settled on me. I was frozen in shock.

Slowly, he sank back down and lowered his gun.

“Fuck, Emma, I could have hurt you. Why did you sneak up on me?” He put the gun back down where it had rested beside him on the sofa.

“I didn’t have to be sneaky. You were completely out of it.” My eyes darted to the bottle of gin on the sofa.

Samuel’s expression hardened. “I sometimes have trouble sleeping, so I take sleeping pills.”

My eyebrows rose. Maybe he had taken sleeping pills too, but the alcohol alone would probably have knocked him out. “Why didn’t you come back to bed? I was worried.”

“I’m not used to someone controlling my every step.”

I swallowed and gave a terse nod. With a strained smile, I gripped my wheels and reversed. “You’re right. I have no right to impose on you.”

Anger and disappointment battled inside me. I had on occasion found Danilo asleep at his desk as well—never drunk, though—and he’d always appreciated it when I’d woken him so he could find restful sleep in his bed.

Samuel released a low breath, raking his fingers through his hair. “That came out harsher than intended.”

He stood, then looked around until his eyes settled on his phone on the floor. He picked it up, then leveled his eyes on me with a hint of suspicion.

I held his gaze, not giving away anything.

“I’m coming to bed now.”

“If that’s what you want,” I said, still with that same tight smile, and left the room.

Samuel appeared beside me as I waited for the elevator door to slide open.

His fingers cupped my shoulder lightly as we entered together.

I tilted my head up. He looked exhausted and still not one hundred percent himself.

He was surprisingly steady on his feet, though.

Maybe he hadn’t drunk as much as I thought.

His eyes met mine. “I told you I’m not the catch everyone makes me out to be. ”

I pursed my lips. “This could easily be rectified. Just don’t get angry when I’m worried about you.” And tell me the truth about F.

“You have no reason to worry, Emma. I’ve been a Made Man for many years. The shit I’ve done and seen has hardened me.”

I nodded, but I wasn’t convinced. Made Men thought they were immune to feelings, but I knew how good their masks were.

Samuel went to the bathroom while I stretched out in our bed.

I could hear water running, followed by the electric toothbrush.

When Samuel emerged, his hair was wet at the front, and he looked alert.

He slipped under the covers. The scent of alcohol was almost entirely gone and replaced by the eucalyptus note of his toothpaste.

He put his head down on the cushion, staring up at the ceiling. He didn’t look tired at all. It was four in the morning, and I doubted his sleep had been sound before now, but I didn’t think he’d go back to sleep.

“You look wide awake.”

He chuckled. “I am.” His eyes searched my face. “You should try to sleep. I’ll stay here until you have fallen asleep if you want.”

I closed my eyes, but could tell that I was too agitated to sleep now. I sighed and opened my eyes again, finding Samuel’s gaze on me.

“Can’t sleep?”

I shook my head. “I’m an early riser. Not this early, but five o’clock in the summer, so it’s too late for my body to fall asleep again.”

“But we went to bed late,” Samuel reminded me, and my face heated, thinking of our encounter yesterday.

Samuel’s gaze traced my heated cheeks, his lips twitching.

“We could both get up. I’d love to swim a few lengths in the pool.”

Samuel sat up with a nod and raised his arms in a slow stretch over his head.

My eyes trailed over his strong arms and muscled chest, feeling a familiar warmth settle in the depth of my core.

I looked away and cleared my throat. “I think I’ll join you,” Samuel said.

“It’ll banish the last of my tiredness.”

Samuel went ahead after changing into his swim trunks. I had to find my bikini first, but then followed him downstairs. The air outside was still cool as the sun hadn’t risen yet. Samuel had turned on the pool lights, letting the water appear a fluorescent turquoise.

“The pool is heated,” Samuel assured me as he came to my side.

“That’s good,” I said with a laugh, rubbing my arms.

“Would you like me to help you into the pool?” Samuel asked.

My first impulse was to say no. I could get into the water alone, but then I noticed his gaze on my chest, checking me out in the triangle bikini, and changed my mind. “Yes, I’d appreciate it.”

Samuel slid his hands under my legs and behind my back and easily lifted me.

I gave him a small smile. He walked over to the part of the pool where stairs descended into the water.

He carried me until I was engulfed by the warm water.

It wasn’t body temperature or close, but it wasn’t too cold either.

He released my legs, and I righted myself until I was in front of him with my hands on his shoulders.

For a moment, I considered kissing him, but I knew where this would lead.

And while I was eager to try out sex in the water someday, I didn’t want to resort to intimacy again, not to mention that I wasn’t sure if the neighbors would be able to see us.

Samuel’s expression made it clear he would have been up for more.

I released him and allowed my body to float on my back, then began to crawl backward.

Samuel watched me for a couple of moments before he began to swim his own laps butterfly style.

We swam for a while until my teeth began to chatter.

The outside temperature had risen, but the water still managed to lower my body temperature to an uncomfortable level.

I stopped and swam toward the edge. Samuel immediately did the same.

I hoisted myself out of the water and perched on the rim.

Samuel came my way and touched my knees as he straightened to his full height.

The water only reached his pecs now. I didn’t feel his touch, but the sight of his strong hands on my skin still sent a flood of need through me.

“Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?”

Surprise widened my eyes. “A date?”

“A date.” He moved his hands higher and rubbed my thighs absentmindedly. “We’re married, so it’s time I take you out and show you my favorite place in my city.”

“Your city,” I said with a smile. His father still seemed fit, so I wondered when Samuel was supposed to take over.

“My father and I rule together even if he’s officially Underboss.”

“Where are we going tonight?”

I had to admit I was a bit nervous about going out in public so soon after our wedding. I wasn’t sure how well-trained the press was in Minneapolis, but people would definitely stare at us. Our marriage had made waves even in the outside world.

“It’s a small Italian restaurant. Renato’s grandparents own it. My family and I have eaten there often for as long as I can remember, and I used to play in the kitchen with Renato when we were young kids. That’s how our friendship developed.”

“He’s quite a character.”

Samuel chuckled. “He’s loyal and trustworthy.”

“I am too, you know?”

Samuel sighed. He lowered his hands from my legs and stepped back. “I have trust issues.”

Because of his sister? I had only heard the rumors of how she’d saved Remo Falcone from the Outfit, but only Danilo, Samuel, his dad, and Dante knew the full truth.

“It’s okay.” A hint of guilt filled me when I remembered how I’d wanted to check his phone again tonight.

“Would you like me to carry you out?” Samuel asked.