Page 31 of Enduring Caine
“It looks like my rather pissed off girlfriend. I don’t suppose I can spend some time alone with her to help cheer her up?” And to talk to her about Elliot finally. We’d been apart all day and had already missed his afternoon visit to the café, so we’d have to try for tomorrow.Ifwe were going to try to see him. Perhaps simply seeing her and receiving a wave and a smile would be sufficient. What would happen if Leonardo insisted on joining us and found her talking to an FBI agent? Nothing good.
“No, no, you’re coming to look at the plans.” Giovanni stared out his window toward Samantha and Vincenzo until the car rolled through the archway and into the court, concealing them from view. “I need my architect nephew to advise me on whether or not we have everything covered.”
“I’d like it if she can join us.”
Giovanni rose a hand to wave the suggestion off. “Family and trusted staff only.”
“Zio Gio,” I sighed. “Sheismy family and Idotrust her. Marone, it’s just floor plans. There’s nothing to hide in that. She’s come to Italia to spend two weeks with me before we’re apart for another four months. The separate rooms are bad enough—”
Leo scoffed, but wisely said nothing.
“It’s only right,” said Giovanni.
“You want my help, but you concede nothing—give me nothing in return. All you do is ask.”
“I give you my hospitality.”
Hospitality? Food and drink, a roof over my head, and a guard to follow her every step if she left her room. I’d have the same if I tried to leave the property. We weren’t prisoners, but we certainly were not free.
How far could I push my uncle? How much could I demand in return for doing as he asked?
How much, indeed. The truth was, I couldn’t push. I never could.
“I’m going to say hello. Then I’ll come with you.” I fumbled with the door, reaching across my body to use my opposite hand. As I got out of the vehicle, the second SUV pulled in, turning into the garage across from the courtyard and front doors.
Samantha walked through the archway. Our eyes met and her pace slowed, shoulders relaxing. There was no rush to meet me. Only the barest hint of a smile. A person had to know her to understand what all the tiny clues added up to. I was fortunate she’d let me into her heart so I could learn what many of them meant.
She gave me a slow blink. This was herI’m so relieved to see you, you hot studblink. Perhaps the last part was my own addition, but close enough.
Vincenzo appeared, his voice buzzing in the background, but she didn’t react.
I was her entire world at that moment, every bit as much as she was mine.
We met halfway between the arch and the SUV, coming so close our bodies nearly touched. She looked up at me, her jade green eyes alight in the sun, and intertwined her fingers with mine.
“How was the tour, bella?”
“Interesting.”
Vincenzo passed us, hailing my uncle and the other men.
Samantha whispered, “Would have been better with you.”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“How was the drive?”
A question I was not prepared to answer. I should have been, but I hadn’t expected even this brief moment of near-privacy, and too many guards were within earshot. Giovanni said she couldn’t join us, so I couldn’t tell her what we’d done, either. “Not interesting. He’s having the pool redone. We drove to a quarry nearby to look at some limestone slabs for the deck.”
Her grip on my hand faltered and she mouthed,That’s what you’re here for?
I raised an eyebrow at her, hopefully clear enough this was one of my lies I’d explain later.
“Antonio!” called Giovanni.
“Going off with the boys again?” She squeezed my hand, jaw tightening. “More… pool talk?”
“I’m afraid so, amore.”