I threw my hands up as I stormed away from Camillo. I heard everyone rising up from their beds, and the boys ran around throwing their things into bags. I heard Camillo stomp up the stairs as Cassie came stumbling down, her eyes wild and her hair matted to her face as she found me in the kitchen.
My cellphone rang just as she opened her mouth to ask questions and I held up my hand to her while I answered the phone.
“Hello?” I asked.
“Hello there, bestie,” Crystal said.
“Hey there,” I said breathlessly.
“Well, don’t sound so excited. Listen, I’ve got Rockette tickets. I want you guys to come in next week so we can go.”
“Wait, what?” I asked.
“Yep,” she said. “All of you. Cassie, Kevin, Ana, and you. It’s gonna be so much fun. We’ll see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and we’ll skate on the ice outside. We’ll walk around town in the snow, drinking hot chocolate and listen to the carolers on every corner. Come on, Rose. It’s time you took a vacation.”
“I don’t think that’s gonna be possible,” I said.
“And why not?” she asked.
“Because I think we’re going out of town.”
Cassie’s eyes widened as the boys stumbled into the kitchen. Kevin had a small suitcase packed and Camillo assured Junior that his bag was already in the truck. Camillo was holding Ana, her own bag packed full of her things while I clocked all the stuff Camillo missed. I saw him whisper something to the boys before they ran outside and jumped in his truck and realised I’d been defeated.
“Rose, what’s going on?” she asked.
“So much,” I said as tears welled in my eyes. “So much, Crystal.”
“Then take a deep breath and talk to me. Is Ana okay? Is something wrong with Kevin?”
“No, nothing like that,” I said.
“Then start from the beginning.”
I sighed heavily as I turned my tired eyes toward Cassie.
“What if Cassie came to see you?” I asked.
I watched as Cassie’s eyes lit up with happiness.
“Cassie’s always welcome. That girl can throw back some tequila.”
“Interested in spending the holidays with Crystal and the Rockettes?” I asked her.
“Uh, of course,” Cassie said. “Tell Crystal I’m packing my things now.”
“Now, why is Cassie coming and not you?” Crystal asked.
“Because Ana’s father’s in town and a lot has happened since then.”
Silence descended upon the phone and I could feel her shock through the receiver. I looked over at Camillo, his eyes filled with relief as I rolled mine at him. I walked through the house and started up the steps to go pack my own bag and it wasn’t until I started folding my clothes that Crystal finally spoke.
“The dark prince is back,” she said.
“His name’s Camillo and yes. He’s apparently moved into town with his nephew, living the simple life despite the fact that he’s rich.”
“Holy fuck,” Crystal said.
“Yeah. And those rumors about being tied to the mob?”
“Yeah?” she asked.
“Also, true.”
“Wait, what? Are you guys okay? Have you guys been threatened?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure what I can tell you and what I can’t. All I know is that we’re packing up to go on a vacation, even though we’re actually kind of running.”
“Holy shit,” she said. “Yes, Cassie can come here. Ana and Kevin going with you?”
“Yep, but I still don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
“A good idea to what?”
“To go with Camillo,” I said.
“Why not? He being a dick or something?”
“You mean, besides bringing all this trouble into our lives?” I asked. “No.”
“Oh, I know that tone of voice. The chemistry’s still there, isn’t it?”
I zipped up my bag as memories of our night in the cabin came flooding back to my memory.
They flooded back so quickly, in fact, that my nipples rose to painful peaks behind the three-day-old bra I was wearing.
“Yes,” I said breathlessly.
“Honestly, I can’t believe you told him that Ana was his,” she said. “How did he react?”
“Well, it’s kind of unmistakable. Ana looks just like him.”
“So, when are you guys supposed to leave?” she asked.
“Wait, wait, wait. I tell you that some rich-ass mobster that fathered my child is back in town, and the only thing you want to know is when I’m leaving with him?”
“Look, I don’t know all the details of what’s going on. Clearly, I need to call you more since you never pick up the phone to call me. We’ll talk about that later. What I’m saying is, if you guys are actually in danger, then Camillo’s the only one that can protect you.”
I turned my gaze toward the door and saw Camillo looming in it. His eyes were focused on my packing and the way my fingers danced across the zipper of the suitcase while I tried to jam all my toiletries in the front pocket.
“I guess,” I said.
“I mean, he’s not tossing you in a basement somewhere, right?” she asked.