Page 21 of Enduring Caine
“I do.” She wrapped her arm around my waist and looked up at me. “It’s wherever the fuck I want to be.”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “So long as I can be there with you?”
“Icing on the cake.” Her spirits had made a turn for the better so quickly, Leo returned to the background of our lives.
“Speaking of icing…” I pointed to the maritozzi. “A few for the road?”
Samantha craned her head toward Leo. “What does Cesca like?”
His frown hardened, but he said, “She prefers the cannoli with chocolate.”
Behind him, through the glass door, the brilliant blue of the morning sky pushed the darkness back. The bakery sat on the edge of a grand square with other restaurants and shops. In the warmer seasons, a thriving market of fresh produce battled with the scent of the fishmongers, all while musicians shared their songs and children played football.
At the far edge of the square, a short wall of stone and stucco marked the transition from town to beach. In a few months’ time, the beach would be clogged with blue umbrellas shading tourists who came for sun and laughter.
While I pined over the better half of my memories of this town, Samantha finished her order, receiving a white box tied with a string, and said, “All done.”
Leonardo left ahead of us, scanning the square for anyone who looked out of place.
No sign of Elliot. I’d have to tell Samantha about his visit and his request soon, but when? Those details were not ones I could risk someone overhearing. Not quiet words while we ate, nor in the car back to the estate, nor even across the gap between our balconies. The risk of someone finding out the FBI was in town—let alone the Art Crime Team and that Samantha once worked for them—was too great. Her relationship with me may have provided her protection if they found out her past, but if they also knew a Special Agent was nearby, she could be in grave danger.
Henri and his pale blond guard appeared from one of the shops, each of them carrying several bags. He waved to us, and we convened on the stairs up from the square, heading to the SUV to take us all back.
“Did you get everything you needed?” asked Samantha.
Henri opened the car door and slipped into the third row. “I did. Antonio told me last night you love Grana Padano cheese, so I picked some up and will stuff ravioli with it tonight.”
“That sounds wonderful!” She smiled at me as she settled in her seat. “I also picked up some extra pastries. Would you like anything?”
“No powdered sugar in the car.” Leo looked at me in the rear-view mirror, as though I would control her.
The other guard, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around. In a German accent, he said, “You didn’t get any of their little apple cakes by any chance, did you?”
“I did.” Samantha opened the box and handed him one. “Don’t worry, Leo, no powdered sugar on them.”
The German guard resumed his position, head on a swivel as we drove. But each time he took a bite of his cake, he smiled. Perhaps if we were lucky, this man would be our town guard going forward.
Samantha dusted the sugar from one of the cannoli into the box and handed it to Henri. “Based on your French accent, I’m assuming you’re not from anywhere near here. Where are you from?”
“Quiet,” said Leo.
“Merci,” said Henri, who simply bit into his cannolo, seeming unphased by Leo’s hostile attitude.
Samantha inched herself closer on the seat and intertwined her fingers with mine. She closed her eyes, the sunlight barely penetrating the dark tinted windows, but she turned her face toward the sun hanging low on the horizon.
Leo’s orders could hardly stand, despite Samantha and Henri finding peace in them.
I tapped his shoulder. “Are you coming with Giovanni and me this afternoon, Leo?”
“Of course. There’s important business to discuss.”
“Should be a fun trip.”
Samantha bit down on her bottom lip to stifle a laugh.
“That was always your problem, Antonio.” Leo glanced at me in the mirror, from behind his dark glasses. “You’re incapable of taking anything seriously.”
“Perhaps if I had as narrow a perspective of the world as you do, I’d be equally incapable of enjoying the beauty of life.” I ran my thumb over Samantha’s knuckle, the simple contact with her centering me. “Fortunately, I’ve seen enough to know how fleeting joy can be. And how important it is to find as much positive as possible in each moment.”