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At least Valerio was more like the man I’d enjoyed sparring with and easily surrendering to. Whether or not his more compassionate demeanor was for show or not, I was grateful he’d remained closer. In truth, he hadn’t allowed me out of his sight. For that I took some comfort.
And I missed him. God, I missed him.
How could I be thinking that when his father was about to be buried?
We were standing close to the gravesite, his hand firmly planted on the small of my back as the minister said the last few words.
“O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, bless this grave, and send your holy angel to watch over it. As we bury here the body of our brother, deliver his soul from every bond of sin, that he may rejoice in you with your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen,” he said just a few seconds later.
“Amen,” the small crowd said collectively.
As I lifted my head, I could see so many people studying me, uncertain of who could be with the great Valerio Royal. We were the talk of the town, so to speak, condolence calls also mentioning the bright and beautiful young woman by his side.
It was everything I’d expected.
And almost nothing I wanted.
I longed for a quiet night making dinner together and sitting by the fire with an open bottle of wine. I doubted that was going to happen any time soon. I knew Valerio’s single-minded focus would continue until all the clues were unraveled.
As people started to approach to give their additional rounds of condolence, I broke away, hoping to find a few minutes to myself.
“Don’t go far,” Valerio told me. “I will hunt you down.” While his smile seemed genuine, a moment of lust popping into his eyes, I couldn’t be certain he wasn’t just being the good actor like I was.
I thought about one of my mom’s old sayings.
Reality is where dreams come to die.
“Where can I go?”
He winked and accepted hugs from a couple of the women who’d approached. I moved away, heading toward the closest shade tree. Even though it was a cloudy day, it was still warm. Or maybe I remained numbed from the past couple of weeks. As I checked my watch, the realization I’d be forced to confront my father, telling him my joyous news was hitting me harder than I’d expected.
I stared down at the ring Valerio had insisted on buying. I’d suggested zirconium. He’d laughed at me, telling me no wife of his would ever wear anything fake.
He hadn’t paid enough attention to items in my jewelry box. I’d never been a jewels and expensive watch kind of girl. My entire life I’d preferred funky and vivid, the more subtle watch I was wearing the only one that seemed suitable for the black dress he’d also insisted on purchasing.
Along with all the other new pieces in my wardrobe from suits to slinky dresses, evening gowns to a few more expensive pairs of jeans. I’d insisted on those. You couldn’t turn an ugly duckling into a princess overnight.
At least that’s what I’d always thought of myself.
A sudden presence moving in front of me prickled my senses. I held my breath as I lifted my head. Seeing Gage, the youngest of the three brothers, I smiled even though I was uncertain what his brothers thought of our scheme or how they’d handle my sudden family interference.
“You can relax, Selena. I only bite those who seriously request it.” He rolled his eyes when I missed his joke. “My poor attempt at lightening the mood. You look very uncomfortable.”
“That’s because I am. I don’t belong here, Gage.”
“Not true. I’ve heard you are quite skillful on so many levels. Business wise, of course.”
His grin made me smile. I liked this guy. He was less grumpy than my future husband. “We’re compatible.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. Even during these circumstances, Valerio has never been so happy or relaxed.”
“How can you tell? By his constant clenched jaw or his gruff demeanor?”
He laughed, although he obviously was doing his best to keep his voice low. “He’s a complicated man and always has been.”
“Because of his cancer?”
His eyes opened wide. “I didn’t know if he’d tell you.”
