Page 30

Arosso

Sitting in the quaint Mediterranean restaurant, Athena’s Delight , in a back section with a few tables, I can’t believe I just confessed my darkest memory to her.

No one has ever heard it from my mouth. Just describing the memory of finding my wife and daughter in that state, murdered, opens up a whole can of worms I stuffed deep down.

The don forced me to call it into the cops so not to raise suspicion that I might have done it.

Getting the police involved in my line of work is sacrilege, but that’s usually because innocent life is off limits. Not for me, I guess.

I blame a lot of it on how Don Gio used to operate. He was an awful man with dark tendencies. I paid a price for his business. The ultimate price.

“What would you like to order?” The waiter focuses on Quinn.

“Oh, I’ll have, hmm. The filleted branzino, and he’ll have the lamb chops,” she says, causing me to furrow my brow. “And, mm. Bring us a bottle of Chardonnay, please. This one will do.” She points to one on the list.

“Very good, Miss. Be right back with that bottle.” The waiter walks away.

“Always wanted to be that annoying date who takes control of everything.”

“You did it so naturally, I figured it’s just who you are.” I laugh low.

She hits my arm, and the mood is somehow light again. I know what she’s doing… trying to give me a good time in hopes she’ll convince me out of my path. Little does she know, once I’m committed… it’s as good as done.

But I’ll give her this night. She deserves it.

“So, my mysterious silver fox, when are you going to take me to my next Chilling Desires date? Maybe we can even christen another set.” She places her elbows on the table and rests her chin in her palms, pretending to be bashful.

“I’m still mad at you for ogling that actor, Reggie Race or whatever?”

“Ronny Ranchester,” she snorts. “Big jealous man. Hi-larious. Oh, and don’t give me any more bullshit. You love the show now.”

“That’s a strong word,” I groan.

“Don’t think I didn’t catch your previously played history on the TV.” She smiles, showing all of her teeth.

“Was seeing what all the fuss was about. I watched all of five minutes—”

“Liar!” She points at me. “ Liar, liar. You watched two whole episodes.”

I scratch the back of my head. “Had to see what became of Mistress Stella.”

“I knew it.” She laughs heartily like a big trucker.

“Will you shut up ? This is a nice, family-owned restaurant,” I joke with her. “You’re going to ruin the place.”

She laughs louder. “I knew you would love it if you just gave it a chance. How good was Billy Altman? I wouldn’t have suspected him in a hundred years.”

“Mph. I knew,” I lie. It’s not like I ever paid attention on set.

“Yeah, okay . I’ve been watching soaps for my whole life and I didn’t see that one coming.”

“He was pretty good,” I give in.

Not sure what this feeling is. It’s warm and relaxing and something I haven’t felt… maybe ever. The closest thing was spending time with my family, but those moments were so few and far between because of the Valentino life. Am I actually… settling with the idea of my death?

Having no hits on my back, I can just experience this young woman’s aura. She’s like a loud-mouthed angel sent to give me peace.

Our dishes come with the overly pleasant waiter presenting them. It smells incredible. Not a hint of fish—only the lemon zest and garlic mix invites our taste buds to salivate.

We both take our first bite at the same time.

Not a bad way to spend my last meal. Even though my body is screaming that I still have a whole second half of life to live, my mind is resolved. This beautiful woman opposite me deserves to be free, and that’s the last thing I can provide.

Donny will keep the family running without a hitch. Never meant to drag him into this.

It was my decision, and mine alone.

“C’mere, give me a kiss, you big idiot.” She leans over the table.

“Your dress.” I put my hand on her shoulder to prevent her from dipping it in fish sauce.

“Woops.” She shoves the plate out of the way and leans in again.

“Were you raised by cavemen, woman?”

“Aw, you finally addressed me as an adult. Progress .” She puckers her lips.

It doesn’t take much for me to oblige.

God, they taste like the tingling notes of white wine, and it’s intoxicating. That warm feeling coats my chest, relaxing me into a dreamlike state I rarely surrender to. When she pulls away, all I see is a hazy picture of her perfect lips, fiery eyes, pale skin.

“The wine’s getting to me a bit.” She smiles to the point her eyes crinkle. “You’re looking finer by the glass, Silver.” She lifts the cloth off her lap and tosses it to the side.

“Keep talking like that, and the waiter might have a problem on his hands,” I growl, half considering tossing the table over and ripping her clothes off right here and now.

Yanking a few hundreds from my pocket, I slap it on the table and put the salt shaker over it. “We’re leaving.”

“Something I said?”

“You could say that.”

I grab her hand and notice her slight moan between giggles. We can’t get enough of one another. It’s such a strange sensation to be so entranced.

These are our last moments together.

I look into her eyes after opening the door to my car, and she knows deep down reality is hitting soon. Her expression changes from giddy to serious, eyes scanning mine back and forth.

“Don’t leave me, Silver. You’re the best thing I ever had.”

“I have an oath to keep, and a love to spare.” I kiss her on the cheek. “Now let’s go enjoy ourselves while the wine’s kicking.”

She turns away from me, leaving me holding the car door open.

If only her dad wasn’t in the equation, this could work. She could remain a missing person…

What am I saying? She has a mother on the other side of the country, a sister, friends here at work.

There’s no way out. This is the only way.

Quinn’s heels clack back onto the sidewalk, the light from a nearby deli casting a glow on her gorgeous legs. A soft yelp makes me realize she’s crying, so I shut the door and rush over to console her.

“You’re not going to do it, right?” She spins on me, eyes bloodshot. “My dad won’t link you to it.”

“They’ll torture him until he does. And you,” I assure. “There needs to be resolution, or you’re both in for hell on earth.”

She sobs into her hands, which twists my heart. I’m repeating my mistakes all those years ago. Not cherishing what’s right in front of me. Quinn... She’s right here… and I’m about to resign my post.

It’s for the better, Aros.

The situation is impossible, and this solution is the only one.

Holding her quivering body in my arms makes me never want to let go. I wish there was something that could be different.

“Maybe I can delay it a little,” I offer. Anything to salvage this otherwise beautiful night.

She sniffs and wipes her nose. “Don’t mess with me, Silver.” She peers up at me. “I can be loud and crazy and wake this entire block up if you’re messing with me.”

I give her a soft kiss. “There won’t be any need to make an entire neighborhood suffer.”

Her cry breaks into a laugh. She hugs me hard… and it’s the best lie I’ve ever told.