Page 59 of Wicked (Wicked Billionaires #2)

RAVEN

I have enough money to write the next novel and do one thing I’ve wanted to do since returning home.

Travel. I’m still twenty-three and I’ve done little traveling, even in the States.

It’s something I’ve always hungered for, and Mom traveled a lot.

Dante’s biting comment about me and the world also haunts me.

That pain and that ruthless moment are still embedded deep within. They still cut deep.

I walk to our retro globe next to Parker’s art projects, and I take the kooky globe in my hands. I walk onto our apartment roof, and I stand under the sky.

“See the world,” I mumble as I move the globe around in my hands. I remember a quote about traveling, and that it supposedly opens the mind. Or feeds the soul, or both.

“I want both,” I mumble low to myself. “I need both.”

Thirty minutes later, I have online tickets booked, and I work all night to pack. I finally go to bed, completely excited and completely anxious.

The following morning, Parker and I are awoken by someone rapping on the door. I open it slowly to find long tanned legs, tight shorts, a cheesy polo, and a grin. I sign for the package, and the cute courier leaves.

I rip the package open nervously, and it’s from a lawyer in Rome. I freeze, worrying about the rental car, before remembering I paid it last night. Suddenly, I see a note on top, and a gift under it.

To Raven. From Nonna.

I unfold the handwritten note, and I lean back with morning eyes.

Dearest Raven,

I just want you to know I understand why you ran. I would have done the same. I could be wrong, but I suspect the company you work for spun the travel article and you felt the need to protect our family, the theme park, and your own life.

I don’t know what happened between you and Dante. All I know is that he is not the same man now. He has lost his spark, and he is rather miserable to be around.

I sniff and feel mixed up.

As I wipe my nose on my sleeve, I read on.

Nonna explains Tito misses me, and he waits outside the castle at night. And that at times, she sees Olive look across the beach for me.

Tears fall onto the old-fashioned paper, and I sob. I stop to wipe my eyes, and I continue reading, full of emotion.

I read her words aloud with my now clogged up nose.

Dante gave me a work in progress draft of your novel, and I read it. I hope you don’t mind. I adored it, and your mother would be so very proud. I do not know how it ends, but I am sure you took your time to get it right.

I snort and rub a temple. “God help me.”

I peer into the box, and I find a scarf, jewelry box and a note under them. The note asks me to return one day and to visit.

My fingers rub the handwritten letter, and I read on aloud.

I miss you, my friend. You will always be welcome here, and you will always be my friend.

All my love, Nonna.

xo.

I slump down onto the ground and tears flow. After several minutes, I inhale and wipe my red puffy eyes.

I reread the last part of the note, and I force myself to breathe. It’s too much, and I sob. My fingertips are wet, and my heart feels broken, again.

I decide to write to her later in the day, and I lift the scarf. I saw her wear it several times, and it is blue like the Tuscan sky but with traces of yellow.

I put it straight on and look down. It now has a few tear marks, but they will dry. One day…

In the silver jewelry box, I find an antique Italian silver pendant. It is strong, thick, and it must be hundreds of years old.

I stand and put it on in front of the mirror near the door. It is some kind of symbol, and I believe it symbolizes all is one and a kind of infinity-like cycle.

I’m pretty sure Mom explained it to me once, and the idea of that makes my mind confused. Again, what a strange universe.

I’m as equally touched as I am sad. I miss Nonna with all of my heart. I miss Tito, I miss Olive, and I even miss Dante.

The bastard who ripped my heart in two.

An hour later, after a shower, some hot tea, and as Parker has her coffee, I come clean. I planned it this way to not drag out the going away conversations.

“I’m going overseas today,” I say, trying to play it down.

Parker gives me a WTF look, and I know I have to push on. Either that, or I’ll end up staying forever and not growing as a human.

“I’m going to write some of the new book on the road. I’ll keep the apartment and I’ll be back often. It’s likely only for a few months.”

Parker keeps staring at me, hand half raised with the toast. I was expecting a complication, but this is getting…

Suddenly, Parker smiles. “I’m happy for you, babe, you deserve it.”

We hug tight and long, and I feel better inside.

After a long healthy talk, I yank my big new backpack to the front door. I adjust my old daypack, hug Parker, and pull back to see her big wet eyes. She looks sad in her kooky outfit, and I grin. “I love you!”

She sheds another tear and taps my wet nose.

“I love you too. Call, okay?” I smile, nod, and head for the Uber.

This is it. It’s time to move on. Alone… I now know I’m safest alone. We are born alone, we die alone. Relying on anyone has risk.

Living alone is safe.