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And I had a feeling it was the last one.
Which didn’t bode well for me at all.
Not one bit.
My father held his hands up again and took a few steps back. Carlo wasn't about to give him any space, though. He moved forward, closer to my father.
I could tell that he was chewing my father out. And that made my heart out and out explode with love for my fiancé.
My fake fiancé.
But still, my fiancé.
Carlo had no idea who he was speaking to. Of that, I was sure.
And he certainly didn't know my history with my father. Like how he’d treated me while I was growing up. Or how he’d stolen from me.
Or how he’d—sold me.
No, if Carlo Sovrano knew what my father had done to me, my father would be writhing in pain on the ground right now.
But if Carlo knew the truth—it could get him killed.
And even though I was leaving as soon as we got back to Chicago—I loved my lumberjack. And I always would. I didn’t wish him any harm. Quite the opposite. I wanted Carlo to have a happy, wonderful life. He deserved it.
And letting him in on my family secrets—well, that wouldn’t ensure Carlo lived. Let alone lived a long, happy life.
Carlo leaned into my father one more time without touching him. And I could tell from the look on my father's face that Carlo must have said something horribly threatening.
My father nodded and his hands shook out in front of him.
Yeah.
He was scared.
But I knew from past experience that words wouldn’t be enough to stop my father.
A sledgehammer wouldn't be enough to stop my father.
Finally, Carlo turned around and started back to the stables. I quickly spun on my heel and ran toward Carmen’s stall.
When Carlo walked back in, he stopped at the gate and looked at me. “Do you want help?” he asked, his voice still holding a load of tension in it.
I smiled over at him. “No, honey. I’m good, thanks. You get Capo ready, and I’ll meet you out front.”
He jerked his chin and started to leave, but I called out to him, “Carlo.”
His head swung back as I said, “I love you.”
I saw some of the tension leave his face as he nodded and left me.
I grinned and kept on with getting Carmen ready to ride. This was my happy place. Here. With the horses.
Listening to their noises and watching their bodies move even just in the stalls.
Before I knew it, I had Carmen all set. Carlo’s voice called to me over the gate. “What song is that?” he asked.
I looked up and then realized I’d been singing without knowing it.
