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16

MIRABELLA

I t’s been two weeks since I went to Malta and I have been in a daze ever since. I can still feel Kilian between my thighs. The way he fucked me thoroughly, like he was making up for ten years of lost time. Because that’s what it was. We had our own little bubble in Malta. Where I was just Bella and he was just Kilian. It felt like being in his townhome in Dublin.

I miss Dublin. And not just because of him. I miss the green hills and the cliffs and the people. He told me I tasted like home. Well he is home to me. He reminds me of everything that felt good and right in the world. Before we knew who we really were. When we were just happy between the sheets. Young and free. I always worried that he wouldn’t want me because I was so much younger than him all those years ago but I should have known that what we had isn’t something you can find with just anyone.

Anam cara.

Soul friends.

The words he used the fourth time he returned to Dublin, six months after we first met. We still had amazing sex but our late nights turned into deep conversations. It made me believe we were anam cara . It was always one of my favorite phrases I learned in my Irish language courses. It meant more than just a soul mate to me. It means knowing someone on the deepest level beyond love. And yes, I did fall in love with him but to me he always was and forever will be my anam cara . No matter what fate has in store for us.

It was hard to leave that morning. Magda was nice enough to watch Aria for another night and of course Aria didn’t care because it meant she got to make more cookies with Magda. I woke up early to take an early flight home to get back to the restaurant in time for work. Kilian didn’t want me to leave. Neither did I but I knew I had to.

“I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I wish I could just visit you whenever I wanted.”

“If my uncle wasn’t a Renzetti, it would work.”

He grabs my hip and pulls me into him. “If I wasn’t a Bancroft, it would work.”

I let the tears fall as I grip his shirt. “We can’t do this again. It’s too dangerous for both of us.”

He frowns. “I know.”

“I don’t want to do this,” I say as the tears fall harder.

His hands gently cup my jaw, his lips so close to mine. “Neither do I,” he says then presses a soft kiss to my lips. “But I’ll find a way.”

It was a false hope. We both know we can’t be together. Maybe in another life. But not this one.

“I think that glass is clean. You’ve been washing it for ten minutes.”

I jump at the sound of Magda’s voice. I didn’t even hear her approach the bar. “Magda, you scared me.”

“Well, when you are gazing off into space for ten minutes when you have new patrons at the bar, I get worried.”

I glance behind me and see two women sitting patiently. “Sorry, just tired and have a lot on my mind.”

“I had you cover the bar today because I thought you could handle it more than anyone else here.”

“I will… I mean I can.” I set the glass I was washing down on a drying rack then turn to help the ladies with their drink orders, Magda impatiently watching me.

Once I hand them their drinks, she waves me over. “I don’t know what happened to you in Malta but ever since you got back you have been in a trance. Did you fall in love there?” she asks with a wink.

I can feel the flush in my cheeks turn a deeper red. “No. You really think I went away for a weekend to hook up with some random guy?”

“If I wasn’t happily married, you better believe that’s what I would be doing.” She smirks.

“Magda!”

“Just because you have a kid and feel like you are getting older, which by the way, you aren’t. You’ll be thirty-two soon. You still have your entire life ahead of you. Live a little. That’s why I told you to take that trip to begin with.”

I lean against the bar and fold my arms over my chest. “I know. But it’s not that easy. I have Aria. And I can’t get serious with anyone. It’s just too hard.”

“Who said anything about getting serious?” Magda raises her brows up and down suggestively. “A little dick could do you good.”

“Magda!” I shout again as I look at the women at the bar and see if they overheard her.

“Oh don’t act like a prude. Besides, I know you got laid when you were in Malta. It was written all over your face when you got back. Not to mention the poor job you did covering up those bite marks on your neck.”

I immediately go for my neck, my hand covering up skin that used to have teeth marks that I know are long gone.

“Live a little, mimma . That’s all I’m saying.”

I sigh. “I know. And I promise one of these days I will get there.” The door chimes and a handful of people walk in. “Want me to keep watching the bar or go seat them?”

“I’ll seat them. Then you can take over their tables. Salvatore should be in any minute to watch the bar and I should head back into the kitchen.”

I nod at her and put away the glass I was washing earlier when I see my cousin take a seat outside on the patio. “Fuck,” I mutter to myself.

Salvatore joins me behind the bar a couple seconds later and I say hello before heading over to the three new tables that walked in. I figure I’ll hit my cousin last because there is no good reason for him to be here.

I take my time filling drink orders and taking food orders until I finally get the courage to walk outside and talk to him.

The cool wind whips through my hair but the abundant sunshine keeps the patio warm and heats my skin. “What are you doing here?” I ask Dante in a quiet voice.

“Can’t I just enjoy myself in a quaint seaside town and eat at one of the best restaurants there is?”

“No,” I say bluntly. “What do you want?”

“Darling Mirabella, I haven’t had a chance to look at the menu yet.”

“Dante, I am being serious.”

He folds the menu in front of him and sets it on the table. “For starters, you can get me a drink. Scotch. Then we can discuss our business. Maybe you could even take a seat and join your dear cousin for a short conversation.”

“I’m working.”

“I am sure your boss won’t mind you taking a quick break.”

“I am the only waitress today.”

“And my men will be happy to ensure your boss understands.”

My heart rate picks up and I quickly glance around to see three people near the building that look out of place and I have no doubt they are packing. “Fine. I’ll get you a scotch. Then you have five minutes of my time.”

“How generous of you.” I don’t miss the sarcasm in his voice.

I rush inside and check on my tables before running into the kitchen to talk to Magda. “Can I take a five-minute break?”

“We just got busy.”

I lean my palms on the center butcher block island. “I understand but it’s important I take this break.”

“Maybe in twenty minutes after you serve their food.”

I go to speak but then a burly-looking man in a crisp black suit bangs through the back door of the kitchen, a handgun hanging loosely in his hand.

Magda’s face remains stoic when she sees him. As if seeing a dangerous mafia hitman doesn’t even faze her. She turns back to me. “I’ll have Salvatore bring out the food when it’s ready.”

“Thank you,” I say before scowling at the man who works for my family.

I head through the double doors of the kitchen and across the restaurant, grabbing Dante’s scotch and walking to his table, sliding into the chair across from him.

“Now that wasn’t so difficult, was it?” Dante asks, sipping on his scotch.

I fold my arms over my chest, acting indifferent as I speak to him. “What do you want?”

“I would like to congratulate you on passing your test. My informant was happy to get that information from you.”

“You mean the assassin that picked up the envelope?”

He raises one of his dark, thick brows. “And what would you know about that?”

Shit . I was only supposed to drop the envelope and not know who picked it up. It was Kilian who told me. I quickly gather my thoughts and lie. “Please, it wasn’t hard to figure out when I saw a big, burly man carrying the envelope across the hotel lobby and through the front doors as I was waiting for an elevator.”

Dante strokes his fingers across his chin. I am not entirely sure he believed my lie. “Hmm. Well that is not entirely why I’m here.”

“Figures,” I mumble under my breath.

“I need you to do something else for me.”

I stand abruptly from the table, slamming my hands down on the tabletop. “I am not a part of this family. You know I don’t do this shit.”

“I am sure I can find motivation to get you to do things.”

I shake my head and start to walk away but one of the men from before is standing behind me, blocking my path. I didn’t even hear him move.

“There is a small shipping trade happening at the port in Augusta a week from today. I just need you to be a distraction.”

“A distraction?”

He nods and sips his whiskey.

“That’s two and a half hours away. It’s a school night.”

“Well, I suggest you find a babysitter.”

“Why not find Ezio and have him do this?”

Dante tsks. “Ezio is handling other things.”

I scoff. “You mean you still don’t know where he is.”

“Ezio has…” Dante trails off as he looks at someone behind me.

“Mama,” I hear Aria shout from behind me.

I freeze. Dante and Giancarlo haven’t seen Aria since she was a baby. I fake a smile as I turn to face my daughter as she throws her backpack on the ground next to me.

“We got a new project for science class and I am so excited. We get to—” She stops midsentence as she turns to Dante. “Who are you?”

“I’m Dante, sweet one. I’m your mom’s cousin.”

She purses her lips. Then breaks into a grin. “I’m Aria. Nice to meet you, Dante. But if you are my mom’s cousin, why haven’t we met before?”

“I am a busy man.”

I bend down so I am eye level with Aria. “Why don’t you go tell Magda all about your science project?”

“Okay!” she shouts before throwing her arms around my neck and kissing me on the cheek.

She starts to run into the restaurant. “Backpack, Aria.”

She skids to a halt then turns around and fetches her backpack before running inside.

“What an adorable kid you have.”

I ignore him. “I’m not doing this, Dante. I told Giancarlo I would drop the envelope but that’s it.”

A sinister grin crosses his face as he looks toward the door Aria just ran into and then back at me. “I think it would be wise you do as I ask.”

“Why?” I ask, even though I feel every ounce of my skin freeze over with his look.

“I wouldn’t want anything to happen to your daughter.”

“Do not threaten her!” I grit through my teeth.

His grin grows on his face. “Who did you say her father was again?”

“I don’t know. Some man I fucked when you dragged me back to Genoa.”

“From my recollection, you went willingly.”

“It doesn’t matter. Stay the hell away from my daughter. She has nothing to do with this family.”

“She’s a Renzetti.”

I shake my head and snap. “No, she is a Di Masio. I will never let her have that name.”

Dante finishes his scotch and stands. “You can deny your bloodline all you want, Mirabella. But we all know the truth.” He glances back toward the restaurant door. “More than you know.”

He starts to walk away, not letting me have another word. He turns and says, “I’ll be in touch with what I need you to do.”

I watch as he walks away, the men he brought with him following behind.

I take a deep breath, not realizing I was holding it in as a million thoughts fly through my brain. Why now? Why are they dragging me into everything now? And the way he looked at my daughter. There was something in his eyes. Like he knew I was lying. Like he knew some random man isn’t Aria’s father. Even if he figures out who her real father is, it shouldn’t matter. In his eyes, Kilian is dead.

I head back into the restaurant and try to shake off the encounter. Magda is staring at me, a look of concern on her face. But I simply brush it off. “Thanks for watching my tables. I’ll get back to them now. Aria will just be in your office working on homework.”

Magda purses her lips at me but keeps her mouth shut as I get back to work.