Valentina
As much as she tried to distract herself from thoughts of Officer Ryan, it was a losing battle. Every time the phone rang or someone came in her office, she bounced out of her chair like her name had been called on a game show. Whenever she pictured him in his uniform, she just about swooned.
The sweet scent of roses drifted her way. He’d sent flowers. She did a little happy dance in her chair. It was a start, but they still had a long, long way to go. The clock on the wall said it was time to close her doors. Tyler was back in school but had come by afterward to help with some yard work and filing papers.
Just like yesterday, she’d promise to stay inside until Dominic returned. Her finger hovered over her phone to call and thank Ryan for the gift but she remained strong. He needed to come to her.
The phone buzzed. She jumped and dropped it in her lap. It was Ryan.
Trying to remain calm, Val took a deep breath and answered.
“Are you almost done for the day?” His voice made her stomach flutter.
“Yes, all locked up and wanting for Dom to come back from dropping off Tyler.”
“How’s the kid doing?” Ryan asked.
“He’s good. He sure admires you.”
Laughter filled the air. “The kid hates me, what are you talking about?”
“He really doesn’t. You know how boys that age try to act tough. He knows that you are looking out for him.”
“Well, someone has to. It’s hard growing up without a dad.”
“You are a good role model for him. Who knows, maybe he will go into law enforcement.”
“Now I know you’re pulling my leg. Although that is what my uncle encouraged me to do after the death of my father.”
There was a lull before she remembered the bouquet on the table in front of the window. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.”
“I was at the flower shop. There was a sale, so I thought, why not?” He was rambling.
“You made that sound so unromantic,” she teased.
“Sorry. Like I said, I’m not good at this stuff. You’re the first person I’ve ever sent flowers to.” That thought touched her more than the gift.
She rose, smoothed her skirt, and strolled over to touch the petals of one of the flowers. It was soft between her thumb and index finger. “So what did I do to deserve such an honor?”
Her finger stilled as she wanted for his response.
“I’ve been a loner all my life, but I don’t want to be anymore. Seeing those young girls dead just confirmed that fact.” Her admiration rose with the realization of how much he cared about others.
Ryan continued, “When I saw the flowers, you were the first person I thought of. I’ve never had that happen before.”
“What do you think that means?” She placed a hand on her hip and hoped.
“I think it means that I don’t want to just admire you from a distance. I didn’t ask you out on a dare. I really wanted to.”
A big smile crossed her face. “Keep going.” She giggled, suddenly feeling like a school girl instead of a twenty-something attorney at law.
“So, what are you doing tomorrow?”
“I think I’m going out with you.” And she wasn’t taking no for an answer.
He said to dress casually but that wasn’t something that she did well. The outfit from the western dance didn’t seem right either. She finally settled for a pair of slim fitting pants, boots, and a sweater. There was a chill in the air but it was still a beautiful fall day. Not that it was any of his business, but she sent a text to her brother asking that he call her guard dogs off for the day. The last thing she needed was a bunch of guys in suits following them around.
Her phone buzzed. It was Roman. “Does he have a gun on him?”
“He’s a cop, I would assume so.”
“I don’t assume anything. Find out and I’ll call them off.”
She stomped her foot and marched over to the door. The SUV was still out there. Her heart leapt when she spied Ryan’s truck heading down her street. He parked in her driveway, waved at her bodyguards, and hopped up her front stairs two at a time.
Valentina opened the door as he stuck a hand out, ready to hit the doorbell.
“Uh, hi.” His smile took her breath away, but first things first.
“Do you have a gun on you?”
Ryan moved his jean jacket to the side. “Yes, why?” There was a pistol holstered to his side and she snapped a pic with her phone.
Her fingers flew across her phone’s keyboard and then she focused on the vehicle at the end of her sidewalk. Thirty seconds later, it started and drove off down the street. Val dragged Ryan in the house by the arm of his coat.
“What was that all about?”
“I had to promise Roman that you had a gun on you before he would release the hounds from watching me.”
“Interesting prerequisite for dating one’s sister.” It would take some getting used to but it was a challenge he was ready to accept.
“Well, everyone’s on edge with that killer still on the loose. Any leads yet?” She grabbed her keys and stuffed her phone in her purse. “It’s been all over the news. I can’t imagine what those women must have gone through.” Valentina shivered.
“I can’t say much at this time but we do have some leads that we are following up on and a couple people we are keeping a close eye on. I can’t say I blame Roman for wanting to keep you safe. I know if I had a sister, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight either.”
The mention of his lack of family broke her heart. “Well, let’s try and not think about it for now. I’m looking forward to whatever it is that we are doing today.”
“Do you have a preference?” He raised an eyebrow.
“No, surprise me.” She felt giddy.
“Prepare to be surprised.” He placed his hand on the lower part of her back and guided her out the door and to his truck. As soon as she was inside and he joined her, the musky scent of his aftershave warmed her from the inside out. It was not overpowering but just enough to encourage one closer, and oh, how she wanted to be closer.
The inside of the cab also smelled like dog. “You have a dog?”
“No, it’s the K-9 officer.”
“You call your dog an officer?”
“Milo is a member of the police department. He usually stays with one of the other officers but I take him every once in a while.”
“So, your no relationship rule applies to pets too?”
“I would like one, I’m just not home enough to take care of one.” The truck roared to life. “I’m kind of married to the job right now. I can’t stand the fact that the town is on edge.”
There were dark shadows under his eyes, making it obvious he’d been going on little sleep. A twinge of guilt flickered when she thought about how she had men keeping her safe when she slept at night while others didn’t have that luxury. “I know Roman has had some of his tech guys searching the web for anything similar to these cases.”
He turned her way in the seat. “Really?”
“Now don’t be upset. He’s just trying to help.”
He placed his hand on hers and looked directly in her eyes. “I’m not upset in the least. If he finds anything, anything at all, please let me know.”
“I will.” She sent her brother another text. “Now let’s talk about more pleasant topics. Where are you taking me today?”
“I noticed you had a few pictures of the water and lighthouses hanging in your office so I thought you might like a boat ride and to visit the closest thing we have to one.”
“I’ve always been fascinated by lighthouses, but where are we going to find one here?” In no time at all they were pulling into the parking lot at the docks. The lake was huge with a walking path that went all the way around, including in front of Roman’s lakeside estate. The docks had a huge yacht club that held wedding receptions and was the starting place for the local boat tours. It had been built back in the 1930s as a work program during the Depression.
“Shall we?” Ryan got out of the truck.
The sun shone off the water and it sparkled like diamonds. So transfixed was she with the sight that she didn’t realize he had opened and was standing by her door.
“I haven’t been this excited since I don’t know when.” They walked along the sidewalk, shaded by a tree here and there. Despite the early hour, there were joggers, families strolling with kids, and couples of all ages out for a walk.
“You don’t get out much, do you?” he joked.
“No, I don’t. All work and no play, so to speak.”
“I guess we have more in common than you think.” He took her hand to led the way and a jolt of electricity shot up her arm.
“I can’t remember the last time I was on a boat ride. I went on a Mediterranean cruise with the family when I was in high school, but nothing like this.”
“Well, I can’t afford a fancy cruise like that, but hopefully you will like this.”
It never occurred to her that money might be an issue between them with all the other things that were already there, but she was going to nip this one in the bud right away. She stopped and looked him square in the face. “It isn’t money or expensive things that impress me. It’s character, honestly, and loyalty.”
“Then we will get along just fine.” He squeezed her hand.
Ryan paid for their tickets while she admired the boats. He’d admitted to never having been on one of these tours before. There were cruise boats of all kinds depending on the tour. Some were very big for large parties, while others were smaller. The lake was famous for its wood boats and several were bobbing with the waves.
“Are you ready?” He waved the tickets in the air.
“Yes.” She tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and let him lead the way to their tour boat. It was a small open one, as Ryan had selected a specialized tour. In Chicago, she was never allowed to be out in the open like this—what if one of her father’s enemies spied her and tried to take her out?
Fortunately, things had calmed down in the last few years. The turf wars were over and no one seemed to care about the Caponellis in Lake Genoa. This was their territory now. She took a deep breath to inhale the fresh air and the freedom of being just a normal couple out for a ride. The sunlight felt wonderful on her face, but once the boat left the dock, she shivered. Ryan took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. It was warm from his body heat and instantly took the chill off. Valentina snugged closer and enjoyed being out with him.
The tour guide narrated the history of the lake and the many mansions that lined it. The boat didn’t go as far as Roman’s estate, but if it had, she wondered what they would have said about the place. Notorious mob heir or local business man?
It was an easy conversation that they fell into as they pointed at different points of interest along the way. Soon, the boat docked on the other side of the lake.
“Why are we stopping here?”
“I couldn’t find a lighthouse, but this is the closest thing we have here.” He interlocked his fingers with hers and led her off the boat. “I hope you don’t mind stairs. There are only one hundred and twenty of them.”
“Yikes. I might need mouth to mouth by the time I get to the top.”
“You’re in luck. I’m an expert at that,” he teased.
She glanced up to see a beautiful old estate with a tower for overlooking the lake. It was breathtaking. Staring at the many steps, she thought she just might have to test Ryan’s offer.