––––––––

I’M SEATED ON A BAR stool at my kitchen island at six p.m. The silence of the big, empty living room saddens me as I stare at our expansive terrace that offers a sweeping view of the city. The beauty of the lights ordinarily improve my frame of mind, but tonight, they do nothing.

I called Luca three times today, but he didn’t answer, which only reinforces my worries. More importantly, I’ve come to the conclusion that I must’ve accidentally erased the message and I’m pretty sure I’m not confused. Particularly because I feel fine.

Just then, the elevator swishes open, and I jump off the stool when Luca strolls inside. His tie is undone, hanging around his neck, and his hair stands on end as if he’s relentlessly pushed his fingers through it.

Without a word, he sets his keys and phone on the granite counter, scrubbing his stubble-covered jaw as I ask, “Where have you been? I called you several times.”

He glances at his phone. “I was at the club. It was busy.”

Something’s not right. Usually, he kisses me when he comes home, but right now, he has a stoic air about him and there’s a difference in his behavior that’s alarming. I edge forward as I hold his troubled green gaze, yet I can’t decipher his thoughts.

I tentatively stand in front of him, placing my hand on his warm, hard chest, and I press my mouth to his. Although I smell alcohol on his breath, I don’t mention it, longing to feel close to him. Sadly, he doesn’t move at first, but when I rove my palms up his neck, he growls and drags me flush against him with one hand cupping my head and the other my ass. His tongue forces my mouth open and he sweeps inside while squeezing my behind to lift me a little. When I grip his nape, he deepens our kiss, dragging his lips over mine, almost roughly. Yet he stops suddenly, the corners of our mouths touching. Then he presses his forehead against mine as I cling to him, standing on my tiptoes.

“I was worried about you,” I confess, and at last, his unreadable gaze softens, making me somewhat relieved.

“I’m sorry. You don’t need to worry about me. How’s Noah?”

“He’s been happy today.” I try to lighten the mood because I sense something brewing beneath the surface. Luca’s embrace is different. It’s less firm – it feels guarded. “I wanted to bathe him, but he fell asleep. He should wake up soon. They’re both in the bedroom.” Pulling back, I cautiously probe, “Did you find out who the attacker was?”

Luca lets me go and violently yanks off his tie, flinging it on the counter and speaking with his back to me, “I did. He’s a thief and has been convicted for several misdemeanors.” Then he turns around, his stare hitting me like lightning when he adds, “There isn’t a connection between the attacker and the Syndicate.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

This doesn’t work in my favor, and the cynicism in Luca’s eyes seems to be growing as his posture tenses. “Nothing supports your story – do you get that?”

I step back so that he doesn’t tower over me. “Yes, I do, but I’m sure I received a message.”

“From whom then?”

“From someone who’s messing with me, with the Syndicate.”

“And if the message was still on your phone or the attacker not an ordinary thief, I might believe you.”

“So you don’t?” I question.

“It doesn’t make sense, Fallon!” He cradles my face in both hands with desperation, imploring, “Tell me, did Noah get hurt because you were reckless and just went outside without protection and you’re afraid to tell me? If you’re honest now, I won’t be mad.”

My mouth drops open, and I indignantly fling off his hands, countering in disbelief, “No, Luca. You’re jumping to all the wrong conclusions. I don’t have an ulterior motive. I am sure that I left because the message said to meet you – how could I be confused about that? The Syndicate has so many enemies.”

“Then where’s the message?”

“I-I don’t know,” I say while a distance develops between us. “But I’ll find out and show you—”

“No,” he cuts me off in a stern tone. “There’s nothing to find out except why you’re making things up.”

At this point, I become extremely frustrated and throw up my hands. “I’m not making things up! Why are you dismissing my story so quickly? Maybe we should double-check my phone, or your phone? Or dig deeper into the attacker’s past? I understand the other men not believing me, but I thought my husband would back me!”

“I want to back you, but you’re making it difficult for me to do that!” He raises his voice to volumes I’ve never heard. “And now that you’ve told the Syndicate your odd story, you come off as...” Fuming, he swivels around and grips the counter, letting his head drop.

“I come off as what?” I murmur.

Luca expels a loud sigh, looking to the side but not meeting my eyes. “You come off as very unstable.”

But I’m not; however, Luca’s icy attitude shows me that defending myself with words won’t help me any further. Besides, his doubtful stare hurts my soul, and I despise this coldness between us.

So I compromise in hopes of dispelling the tension and hold up my palms in surrender. “Let’s relax.”

His eyes narrow and he proposes, “I think we should visit Dr. Calderone to have you examined again? Maybe you did hit your head?”

What?!

“Um...okay.” Thrown, I don’t even know how to respond, and this is the second that I start to realize that Luca is the one who’s mixed up. He’s looking for answers in the all the wrong places. Still, I oblige, not wanting to argue anymore.

As he leans back against the island, I edge forward to stand between his legs and talk to him in a soft voice to calm him down, just like I do when he comes home stressed. “We can’t turn on each other, Luca. And remember, you’re the one who taught me that nothing is what it seems.”

I wind my arms around his middle, and thankfully, he can’t refuse me and mirrors the action, ensconcing me in the shelter of his arms.

“I don’t want to fight. We’ll go to Marc, but don’t be mad at me or ignore my calls, please. I worry so much when you do that. You have to let me protect you too.”

Strengthening his hold, he kisses my forehead. “I need to protect you.”

“No, we protect each other. I told you that I know how this mafia world works. Also, I’ve decided to carry my gun with me at all times from now on.”

His brows rise and his lip twitches as his body unwinds little by little. “You need to be more vigilant.”

“I will,” I promise and simply because I need to take Luca’s mind off this obscure situation, I suggest, “Can you order dinner, and afterward, we’ll bathe the twins?”

He nods as he releases me and reaches for his phone on the kitchen island while I round the couch and sit down, taking my cup of tea from the coffee table.

“We’re having dinner at Adriano’s tomorrow night, by the way,” he comments, yet I zone out.

Unfortunately, I can’t forget the shady circumstances of Sunday, and I deliberate how I can uncover the truth because I’m positive that someone’s messing with my family.