Page 82 of Winter

“Is it weird? What we’re doing here, I mean? The three of us?”

Neither brother looked surprised at her question. Raffaelo sighed. “I would think, to most people, yes. But we are not most people. The love between us … it is pure, I think.”

“I think so too.” Tommaso smoothed his hand down her hair. Inca nodded.

“I can’t deny what we have is incredible. I love you both, so, so much … but do we have a future? What about when …” She got choked up. “When we want to have children? What happens then?”

“That is far in the future,Principessa.”

“Is it, though? I’m twenty-eight; you are thirty-five. In the next ten years …”

“We will worry about that when the time comes. Surely, if anything, what has happened lately shows us we must live in the moment?” Raffaelo’s voice was quiet, but full of love. “When it comes time for children … we will have to talk.”

She nodded. “Because our children cannot be cousins and siblings. That is a step too far, even for me.”

Tommaso nodded. “I understand. Although it has happened before—a wife marries a man who dies, then she marries his brother.”

“This is too complicated a discussion for this evening.Mio caro,are you cold? You’re shivering.” Raffaelo grabbed a throw from the chair next to the fire and wrapped it around her. Inca was only wearing a simple white dress, and she hugged the blanket to her now. But she shook her head.

“No, I am not cold. I don’t know why I’m shivering …” The trembling got worse.

Tommaso got up and came to her. “It’s the shock. Raff …help me.”

They both wrapped their arms around Inca and held her until the trembling subsided. She smiled gratefully at them. “No one could love both of you the way I love you,” she said simply.

Tommaso and Raff looked at each other, each reading the love for this woman in each other’s eyes.

“We will make this work, my love,” Raffaelo said and pressed his lips to hers. Tommaso nodded.

“I swear we will.”

Knox got home utterly exhaustedand spent. He collapsed on his couch, taking off his gun belt and closing his eyes.

Just five minutes and I’ll go to bed.

He was on the verge of sleep when his cell phone buzzed.

“It’s me.”

Olly.

“Hey, man. What’s up?”

“I’m out. On my way home. Is Luna with you?”

Knox got up and checked the guest room. “No, man; she’s probably at yours. Want me to go check?”

“Would you? She’s not answering her phone.”

“Of course, I’ll …” He trailed off when he saw the note on his desk. His heart failed. “Olly … get home now.Now.”

“What?” Olly sounded panicked, but Knox, his chest tight, hung up. His legs felt like jelly.

Dear Knox,

I’m so sorry … I never meant for Scarlett to get hurt. She was wearing Inca’s coat, and when I realized it was Scarlett, it was too late. I ended her pain quickly, but I couldn’t take it back. I loved her too. I have to finish this. I’m so sorry. Tell Olly I love him.

Goodbye,