Page 35 of Burning Caine
“I think it would be very interesting.”
No one knew the whole story, not even Cass. Some days, I wasn’t sure even I understood the sharp turn my life had taken. I ran a hand along my cheek, to my neck. I should leave.
I held his gaze for an uncomfortable moment until I had to look away. He leaned back in the chair, asking rapid-fire questions, simple things like favorite food, drink, and movie. For every answer I gave, he’d share his, and we’d mull them over. Nothing earth-shattering, but it surprised me how much we had in common, like our passion for authentic Italian food, action movies, and a love of running.
Then he asked, “Who’s your hero?”
I braced for his reaction when I said without shame, “Lara Croft.”
His brows knit together. “FromTomb Raider?”
When I nodded, he threw his head back, a warm sound coming from deep in his stomach, which he held with one hand and smacked the little table with the other. The flower vase jumped, and I feared it would fall over.
“Not funny!” I couldn’t contain my foolish grin. People walking along the street, the other patrons, and even some of the people inside Russo’s were looking at us. “Stop!”
He wiped at his cheeks with the back of his hand to clear the tears. “She’s not real! You can’t pick a video game character for a hero!”
“I can!” Now I was laughing, too, my hand covering my face.
“No, no, this is how it’s done.” He cleared his throat, suppressing his laughter. “I choose my Nonno.” He paused a moment for a few more laughs before he took a deep inhale and calmed himself. “He’s my hero for the role he played in World War II.”
Interesting way of putting it. “What role was that?”
“In October 1943, the Americans made their way into Napoli, and the city was in shambles. He was living in Roma at the time. He had opened the conservation company with his brother several years before the war started. When he heard about the American Monuments Officers in Napoli, helping to restore and protect the works of art and cultural heritage, he snuck through the German lines to help. The work he did there was significant. Important.”
“I’ve heard the stories. Amazing.”
He nodded, taking one of the roses out of the vase, twirling it between his fingers and pointing it at me as he spoke. “After the Allied forces made their way to Roma, and he felt Napoli was in good hands, he went home.” He sniffed the flower. “Roma was luckier than Napoli had been. Much less destruction. So the shop survived, and he was a bit of a legend.”
“You’re right. He’s a good hero.”
“And you?” He offered me the rose. “You pick a video game character?”
My fingers brushed his when I took the stem, and my stomach tightened. “She’s not just any video game character. Lara Croft is highly intelligent, athletic, and she’d kick your butt if you laughed at her.” I hid my chuckle behind the flower.
He grinned. “You have much in common with her.”
I focused on the petals but couldn’t contain a smile. “She travels the world, tracking down relics and items of historical significance. I know the title of the series isTomb Raider, but I prefer to focus on how she’s saving those artifacts from the bad guys. Like an art protector. She inspired me to learn a lot of things, like rock climbing and survival skills.”
“Survival skills? Sounds ominous.”
“Not really,” I said, too embarrassed to say more.
“Like my Nonno, but with more adventure?”
I smelled the rose and offered it back to him, but he declined. “Crossing German lines sounds like adventure.”
He tilted his head at me, considering. “And this is why you studied with ARCA? You want to be Lara Croft?”
My jaw clenched as he made the link, and my smile faltered. I stuffed the rose back in its vase and rubbed a hand over my cheek. Nobody else had ever made that link.
He’d lowered my defenses with the conversation and the laughter. I barely knew this man, and I was revealing things I didn’t share with people. What was it about him? Engaging, confident, full of life, and he understood me. The PhD was like the cherry on top. Christ, he was too good to be true.
It had been a half hour since we’d ordered, but Angelo hadn’t returned. I was on the clock. I tapped the case again to make sure it was there. “Well, now I’m a claims adjuster. And I have a painting we need to discuss if the coffee ever arrives.”
He tilted his head the other way, scrutinizing me. “I was wrong, Samantha. You can pick a video game character for a hero if she inspires you. In fact, she’s one of my heroes now, too.”
Changing the subject away from me, I said, “It’s closing in on ten o’clock.”