Page 5 of Little Dark Deeds (Georgiana Germaine #12)

I t was a little after three o’clock in the morning, and I was in bed, cozying up to Giovanni whose arms were wrapped around me. He brought my hand to his lips and said, “I hope the wedding was everything you’d hoped it would be.”

“It was one of the best days of my life.”

I could think of only one happier time in my life, the day I’d given birth to my daughter, Fallon. Her life had ended too soon, and while she was never far from my thoughts, today she felt especially near, like she was with me in spirit, alongside my father.

“I thought I’d be asleep by now, but I’m still a little wound up from the day we had,” I said.

“Me too.”

“I’m glad we changed our honeymoon plans. Holding off for a couple of weeks will give us time to relax before our European vacation.”

“Speaking of Italy, what are you most excited to see while we’re there?”

“The Sassi in Matera.”

Matera, a place steeped in history, had stood for over nine thousand years, making it one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.

The enchanting area was most known for the Sassi, ancient cave dwellings carved into limestone cliffs.

Often referred to as “the second Bethlehem,” its history dated back to the Paleolithic era.

I’d spent years dreaming of visiting this place, and now, at long last, that dream was soon to become a reality.

“Matera is a place like no other I’ve been before,” Giovanni said. “I believe you’ll enjoy Florence just as much. Several years ago, I considered purchasing a villa there. It’s one of the few places you can immerse yourself in another culture, another way of life.”

“Why haven’t you mentioned the idea of buying a villa there before?”

“It’s not something I see in our present. In the distant future, perhaps. I prefer to be close by, here for you.”

I gave him a playful poke to the chest. “What makes you think I’d be here and not in Italy with you?”

“Your career, for one.”

“I won’t always be a detective. I imagine one day I’ll retire, sell the business, or leave it to someone I trust to keep it going.”

He let out a slight laugh. “I can’t imagine you’ll retire any time soon.”

“ Soon , no. But one day.”

“All the more reason to wait. If we bought a villa in Italy, I’d want you there by my side.”

I hoisted myself up on my arm, leaning in for a kiss. “I’d want to be by your side too.”

As I pondered what life abroad might be like—long days spent strolling along the charming, locally owned café’s, gelato in hand—he jolted me out of the thought with a question.

“Not to put a damper on the end of our day, but have you heard from Tiffany?”

“I haven’t. I considered calling her father, Ron, but by the time it crossed my mind, it was much too late. I’ll try her again when we’re up for the day. If she doesn’t answer, I’ll give him a call.”

I’d known Ron Wheeler since elementary school.

He’d been one of my teachers. He wasn’t too fond of me at first, given the rivalry Tiffany and I once had.

By the time I graduated, and our friendship was going strong, he softened toward me.

Years later, he became mayor, and I a police officer and then a detective.

During those years, we worked together on some of my more public cases, though since he’d retired, we hadn’t seen each other much.

As Giovanni drifted off to sleep beside me, my eyelids grew heavy, and a smile crossed my lips.

Today I had a new name: Georgiana Germaine-Luciana.

It had a nice ring to it.