Page 41 of Wicked Truths
“Growing up, being in the mafia was all I knew. I didn’t know what types of businesses my father was involved in, but I knew I was loved, protected, and cared for. Things changed when we moved down here and I met you.”
“Changed how? Did I do something to make you leave?”
She looks up at me and shakes her head. “I couldn’t be honest with you about my family’s past. We’ve done horrible things. Illegal things. Mine might not be as horrible as some of my family, but they were still illegal.”
“I don’t understand. Please fill in the gaps and help me understand.”
Did she leave because her dad was part of the mafia? Is she ashamed of her father’s past?
She continues, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“It killed me to have to keep secrets from you, but you didn’t deserve someone like that. Someone who, at the time, was ashamed of her past. Someone who was keeping secrets. Someone who didn’t want to sully your reputation or derail your career.”
“Chessie, I wouldn’t have stopped loving you just because of your past, and I didn’t care what people said about our relationship. I still don’t care what people say. The only person whose opinion matters to me is you.”
“There’s still so much you don’t know. We haven’t been together for two years. We lived separate lives.”
I wrap my hand around hers and squeeze to get her to look at me. “So we can’t be together until we know everything from the past two years? Isn’t that like jumping into marriage without dating first? Dating is the time to get to know one another.”
She shakes her head. “No, that’s not what I was saying, but I’m not a good person, Rhett. You deserve someone better than me.”
“Francesca, you’re not a bad person just because you have a past. Everyone has a past.”
“Rhett, I-”
My phone chimes with a message, interrupting our conversation.
Glancing at the screen, I see a message from Arturo in the group chat.
Meeting at the docks in ten minutes. Come prepared for a long night.
Shit, that doesn’t sound good, but at least it will give me a chance to fill them in on the new police situation.
“I’m sorry Chess, I’ve got to go. There’s something I need to take care of tonight.”
She frowns, looking sad and deflated, before asking, “Something like what?”
“I promise to tell you everything as soon as this is handled. We can order takeout for dinner tomorrow and spend the night talking and catching up.”
I want to tell her everything. I want her to know what’s going on. I’ll just have to clear it with Arturo first, or apologize later.
Reach over to her, I cup her chin and turn her face toward mine.
“Look, I know you want answers, and I promise to fill you in, but I can’t be late. Things will be back on track tomorrow. Okay?”
She stares at me for a moment before nodding. “Fine, but I want a bottle of wine with dinner tomorrow, too.”
I chuckle as I lean across the center console to get closer to her. “Your wish is my command, Chessie.”
My lips press against hers as I try to convey my hope for our future. Our lips move against one another slowly, exploring each other once again.
Her hand wraps around my neck. Her fingers dig into my scalp as she closes her eyes and moans.
I know I need to go. I need to head to the docks, but I don’t want to leave her. Not yet. Not like this. Not when we are finally getting back on track.
My tongue pushes past her lips, delving into her mouth so I can taste her. Kissing her is like being home. I don’t want to be anywhere else, but here.
She leans closer, arching her back. “Why don’t we go upstairs to finish what we started and then have the talk?”