It’s an unseasonably warm day here. Sometimes in the fall it’s too cold to swim in the courtyard pool, but ever since Natalia’s come, Mama’s made sure the room’s kept warm and the water’s heated.
“I think we can arrange that,” I say with a smile. I’d like a good swim myself. “And maybe Aunt Elise will make cookies with you later.”
Elise seems to crave homemade cookies daily, and no one’s more willing to sample her wares than Natalia.
But even with the little plans we make that involve coloring, making playdough in the kitchen, watching a Disney movie, and swimming after lunch, I feel my own heart unsettled.
Outside the window to The Castle, guards stand at attention, heavily armed. Either Natalia hasn’t seen them, or she thinks nothing about men holding weapons outside our door.
I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Finally, we make it to the courtyard for a swim.
“Mama, I’m so excited you came, too,” Natalia says. I know what she means. Normally, she’d go swimming with her nanny or I’d sit by the pool fully dressed and read or scroll through my phone. Today I’ve decided to join her, a rarity for me and something she loves.
“I’m glad I came, too,” I say, squeezing her hand.
The courtyard’s almost enchanted, with bright green shrubbery bordering the pool, and bright rays of sun streaming in. And I’m enjoying myself, but my mind isn’t here.
“Mama, catch me!” Natalia giggles and screams, diving under the crystal water. I smile sadly to myself, paddle after her and dive in, and when I come up we’re both laughing, water streaming down our faces.
I feel him.
I keep my face placid and my gaze on Natalia, but I feel his eyes on me with the force of a laser.
“Uncle Santo!” Natalia cries, splashing past me to get to him.
“Havin’ fun, little fish?” he asks, leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees. His gaze flickers from Natalia to me, then down to my bikini top and back again. My cheeks flush pink.
Natalia goes to splash him, and he leaps back just in time.
“Don’t you dare,” he says with a wicked grin. I wouldn’t put it past him to jump right in after her. She giggles and tries to splash him again, but he ducks the water, grabs a pool noodle from the side of the pool and slaps the water in front of her with it. She squeals with laughter as droplets rain down around us.
I walk up the stone steps to leave the pool. I feel his eyes burning into me. Scouring me. Scrutinizing.
I swallow hard and look away. I can still feel the tingle on my skin where he touched me. I can still remember the sound of his voice in my ear, the promise of what he’d do to me when we’re alone later.
And I long to be alone with him now.
But he’ll keep his stoic expression, and I’ll keep mine.
It’s the only way.
“You guys find anything out?” I ask, as I tip my head to the side and towel-dry my hair.
He gives a noncommittal shrug, still holding me in place with his gaze. “Got a few leads.”
“Any word from Romeo?”
“Spoke with Vittoria this morning. How’s she doing?”
I shrug. “She’s okay, I guess.”
He only nods, still scowling. God, I love that scowl, and I don’t know why.
I hear voices outside the courtyard in the dining room. “You girls hungry for lunch?”
I shake my head. I had a protein shake after my workout and that huge breakfast, so I don’t feel hungry. “I’m good, but I’ll go with Natalia and you.”
Natalia pouts at having to get out of the pool, but Santo leans in and whispers something to her that makes her grin and hop to.
“What’d you bribe her with?” I ask, as she slides into her flip flops and heads to her lounger to get dried off.
He only shrugs, and damn if that isn’t sexy, the nonchalant slope of his shoulders, the sharp cut of his eyes.
God, I want him to touch me. I want him to take this towel out of my hands and rub it over me, drying me off. Santo would make it sexy. Everything he does is sexy, from brushing his teeth to tying his shoes. I guess it’s the “make my day, asshole” attitude he wears, as if trying to prove he’s impervious to threats or attacks.
But we can’t touch here. He can’t do anything that even hints at intimacy, because they’d pick him off so fast it isn’t funny.
“I have to get dressed,” I tell him as we enter the dining room.
Natalia’s got a towel wrapped tightly around her hair, and she’s pulled on a little terry cloth sundress cover-up.
“Marialena?” I signal to my sister, who nods with a grin. “I gotta get dressed. Keep an eye on Nat?”