Offer affectionate parting words.
Kiss her.
Marco and Tio are waiting for me in my office. We go over the game plan two more times, then head out. I’m tempted to stop by the kitchen to see if Gia is there with Maria or look out the window to see if the lights are on in the gym, but I don’t. I’ve got to keep my head in the game. My life, and Gia’s, depend on it.
***
I’ve learned how touse more machines in Stone’s gym. Yesterday, I passed Lucca as he was finishing his workout. He showed me how to access the television and the downloaded fitness programs. Most are weightlifting, but there are a few cardio programs.
I do a blended routine of upper body weights and high-intensity interval training for my cardio. I’m soaked. I strip off my tank top before the HIIT moves, and my sweat has changed my sports bra from light gray to dark.
After I’ve cooled down and refilled my water bottle, I change into a bathing suit and swim a few laps in the pool. Maria waits for me a with a towel and a bowl of fresh fruit.
“You’re too good to me, Maria.” I step into the towel, and she folds it around me as a mother would her child. “And to Stone. Even though he may not show how much he appreciates you, trust that he does.”
“He’s grown into a stubborn man. I remember when he was a little devil pulling pranks on his father and teasing his sister and mother. He used to scare the gravy out of Mrs. Parlatore running around with snakes and frogs between his fingers.”
“You’ve been with the family for a long time?”
A sad smile crossed her face. “Yes.”
“You were here when...”
“Yes. Losing them the way he did.” She makes the sign of the cross over her heart and lowers her head. “It changed him. He left Rocco behind and became Stone. It wasn’t until you came into his life that I started to see traces of the innocent boy he used to be.”
The traces are more minuscule than small. I want to bring some joy back into his life. His plan for revenge will take away some of the pain, but it won’t erase it. I want to bring back the spark of little Rocco, and Maria will be the one to help.
“What was his favorite meal when he was younger?” I rub my hair with the towel then tie it around my waist.
“That boy would devour an entire dish of baked macaroni and cheese. Elbow shaped noodles were his favorite. The kind from the box and not homemade. It made his father so mad that he’d prefer the fake noodles, as he called them, instead of fresh pasta. As he grew older, he learned to appreciate the homemade food.”
“Let me guess, with a side of bread, maybe a piece of chicken, and hold the veggies.”
“You know your husband well. Rotisserie chicken was another one of his popular requests.”
“Well, then. I guess I know what meal I’d like you to teach me next.”
“Eat your fruit and I’ll head into town to the market to get the ingredients.”
“Can I come with you?”
Maria smiles as if I offered to buy her a new car. “I’d love that.”
I take a quick shower and tie my hair back in a ponytail. As I’m getting dressed, I feel a small cramp in my stomach. Counting back the days, I sigh. My period is coming. I hope it holds off until after tonight.
Stone and I have had sex in my tub, his gym, his office, and even in the vineyard. I’d like to actually have sex in a bed tonight. Rubbing lotion on my legs and arms, I imagine what it will be like to have the comfort of a mattress under my body, a pillow under my head. I chuckle as I think about how uncomfortable I should have been with the places we’ve had sex.
In the heat of the moment, I never gave it much thought. He has a way of making me forget my senses. I try calling my mother for a quick chat before I get too caught up in the kitchen, but she doesn’t answer. I leave her a message, tell her I love her, and that I’ll call again tonight.
Unless Stone distracts me.
I feel my cheeks warm as I head down to the kitchen where Maria is waiting for me. I expect her to drive us, but Lucca appears in the entryway.
“You’ve been up all night. I’m sure you’d rather sleep than drive us around.”
He gives one shake of his head. “Boss’s orders.”
“We’re literally going down the road to the market.” Maria snakes her arm through mine. “I can manage to bring Mrs. Parlatore back in one piece.”
I see the turmoil bouncing around in Lucca’s eyes. After a long pause, he says, “To the market and back. If you go anywhere else, call me.”
I’m about to tell him I don’t have a cell phone when Maria agrees.
“I’ve got your number, Lucca.” She squeezes his arm, and we walk past him to her silver town car.
It’s a nice vehicle for a cook. Stone takes care of his people. This makes me happy.
We talk about our favorite foods, our favorite flowers, and she tells me more stories of Rocco as a rambunctious boy. I’m happy. Genuinely happy. I’m not so naïve as to believe Stone and I will live happily ever after, but I’m happy for now.
Mama is safe and being well-cared for. I’m safe and am extremely well cared for—in areas I never imagined—and Stone is on his way to redemption. I don’t know what it entails with Lorenzo or Antonio, but I trust he’ll free the demons from his past. And mine.