Page 42 of Impossible Thrills

“I would love that.” She rested her head back against his shoulder.

They were quiet for a few beats. At least she knew how interested he was and there was a plan, but how long would it take him to take Trattori down and make certain she didn’t get hurt or pulled into the mess? Trattori was squirrely. Everyone knew how dirty he was, but somehow the man stayed alive and out of prison, growing wealthier and more powerful every day.

Nick’s grip on her tightened. He couldn’t stand to wait years to see her again. He’d have to convince Aiden of her innocence and make some very quiet trips to visit her. Trips nobody knew about, especially other security companies, their Interpol contacts, and her ex.

What if Johnny had men watching her, trackers on her, or cameras at her centers? Nick wouldn’t be surprised. He was surprised the man had let her go. Was he wrong to ask her questions about her marriage? It would be a very natural thing, seeing as he wanted to date her, but there were definite ulterior motives with his work. He didn’t ever want to think he’d used her for information about his target. At the same time, he could prove her innocence and that would help her. Even if she never knew about it. He groaned inside.

“Have you had a lot of … serious relationships?” he asked.

“Just Johnny.” Her voice was quiet.

Nick felt like he was walking a tightrope. He wanted to be careful and not ask anything that would seem like a breach of trust down the road. He stayed silent, not sure what to say.

“You don’t want to hear about my pathetic experiences with men,” she murmured.

“I do,” he admitted. “But only if you want to share.”

She took a deep breath. “I told you how my dad left me with my grandpa, my mom’s dad, after she died giving birth to me. My dad disappeared. I’ve never met him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. My grandpa was the best, and he loved me and took good care of me, but his wife didn’t like me very much. He died of a heart attack when I was eight. Mrs. Peterson, my step-grandmother, was never mean to me, just very cold and distant. I had food and a house, but that was all. She rarely spoke to me and never hugged me or took any interest in what I was doing. From the time I was twelve, I worked for anything extra like clothes or a treat or school activities.”

“Twelve?” He didn’t like Mrs. Peterson very much.

“I mowed a lot of lawns, and I was an incredible babysitter. I’ve always loved babies and children. Then when I was sixteen, I was able to get a job at a local daycare after school. On the weekends, I worked at a local hamburger shop or babysat. I liked to work, and it got me out of the house. I saved for college and was able to get a scholarship. Again, I had to work to pay for rent, food, utilities, and books, but I loved college. I worked in the preschool and as a janitor at nights. I graduated in early childhood development. All I wanted was to be a mom.”

His heart twisted for her. She’d worked so hard, only wanted to be a mom, and she’d lost her baby. But his impressive Darcy had kept working and started homes for babies and toddlers.

His Darcy? He hoped so. Someday.

He stayed silent and hoped she’d keep talking. She did.

“I met Johnny my last semester of college,” she said quietly, clinging to his hands around her waist. “He charmed me quickly, and honestly I was caught up in visions of finally having a family to call my own. He has a huge Italian family. They welcomed me in, and I loved that.” She was silent for a few beats, then she said, “We moved to California and into our house on Torrey Pines shortly after our wedding.” She sighed. “That’s when it started unraveling. We didn’t see his family much, and they had been part of the reason I married Johnny. He worked and traveled a lot and wasn’t charming or sweet with me anymore. He also wouldn’t let me work. I hated that. I volunteered at the nearby church’s preschool when he wasn’t around.”

Silence ticked as Nick held her and wondered how she couldn’t see that Johnny was into something illegal. He believed she was innocent. He didn’t like that this conversation where Darcy was opening up to him was tainted by the filth of Johnny Trattori and Nick’s own worries.

“When I was pregnant with Avalyn,” she continued, “I hoped that would bring us together, and I was thrilled that I would be a mom. But Johnny was gone more than ever. He hated my pregnant body.”

“Excuse me?” Nick broke his silence, outrage filling him.

“He liked me thin,” she said quietly. “But he was always after me to get … enhancements.”

“Darcy.” Nick groaned out her name and pressed a kiss to her temple. “You have an absolutely incredible shape and no need of any kind of enhancements. The thought of how beautiful you would be expecting a baby …” He broke off. That wasn’t a safe space for him to imagine, but he suddenly realized he longed for that. Darcy expecting their baby. “Your husband was an idiot.”

“I know,” she said, but she sniffled.

“He’s still hurting you.”

“No. I’m definitely over Johnny. Our dating and engagement was all sparkle and shine and then he detached himself quickly after we got married. Any love I had for him slowly died and was eradicated when he cheated on me. The only thing that still hurts is thinking about Avalyn.”

“I bet.”

He held her and they sat quietly for a while.

He was surprised when she continued, “When I lost Avalyn, I was a mess. Johnny was irritated at me not getting ready for the day and being depressed. Then the husband of the woman he was cheating with exposed the two of them with video cameras in their bedroom. It was … disgusting and went viral.”

Nick knew all about that. He knew far too much about Trattori and his long string of mistresses. The man was revolting.