Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I’d sent Effie flowers that she’d placed on the center hall console. I admired them when I walked in, and I was kissed warmly for my efforts. I enjoyed dinner on the patio with Nonna and Effie. Nonna had made Effie her favorite risotto, and I poured glasses of the white wine she had liked so much at lunch last time.
After dinner, Nonna excused herself and went to bed. I worked a bit in my office then went to our room, not surprised to find Effie reading on the love seat. She enjoyed the quiet pastime.
I stripped to my boxers and got ready for bed, then sat in front of her on the coffee table. She looked up from her Kindle, closing the cover and meeting my eyes.
“What is it, Roman? You’ve been on edge since you came home.”
Those words surprised me. I thought I had hidden it well.
“You noticed,” I mused.
“I notice everything.”
I drew in a deep breath, wondering why this was so difficult. I took her hands in mine, stroking the knuckles.
“I got some news today.”
“Bad news?”
I decided to be blunt. “It’s Marianne, Little Tiger. She’s dead.”
Effie blinked. “Dead?”
“The men she tried to make the deal with…they caught up with her.”
“And killed her.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
The question startled me. “What?”
“How did they kill her?”
“Good God, Effie.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I didn’t ask.”
“Oh.”
I waited for the hysterics. Something. Instead, she was quiet. “Do I report her as missing or something?”
“If you want.”
“I can’t exactly call someone and say she was murdered, can I?” she asked. “I guess with Mom gone, and only me, there is no one else, so it doesn’t really matter.”
I studied her carefully. “Effie, are you all right?”
“Yes. Well, I’m confused, but I’m fine. Maybe feeling guilty.”
“Why are you feeling guilty?”
She met my gaze straight on. “Because I think I should feel something sad. Be upset. She was my sister. Or half sister. But all I feel is relief. She can’t hurt me anymore.”
“No one can hurt you, Little Tiger. I would stop anyone trying.”
She nodded. “That’s it, then.” She opened her Kindle. “Or was there more?”
I blinked. “That’s all I know.”
“Okay.”
I furrowed my brow. Knowing her sweet nature and tender heart, I was confused by her reaction. I had expected…something. Tears, at the very least. Recriminations, something.
“Are you tired?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I was this afternoon. I took a little nap.”
I met her gaze, lifting my eyebrows. “Maybe you want to come to bed anyway.”
She began to shake her head, then her lips lifted in a grin. “Oh.”
I stood, holding out my hand. “I missed you today, Little Tiger.”
“You did?”
I pulled her from the chair. “I did. The suite seemed empty without you.” I paused. “I felt empty too.”
She slipped her arms around my neck. “Let me see if I can help you with that, husband.”
I lowered my head. “Perfect, wife.”
I woke, my hand searching for Effie. Instead of her warm little body against me, all I felt was cool sheets. I sat up, gazing around the dark room and listening in the silence. The bathroom door was open, and she wasn’t there. She wasn’t curled up on the love seat either. An unusual sense of panic hit me, and I got out of bed, pulling on my robe. I noticed the curtains moving in the breeze, and I pushed them back, looking around the back of the house. I spotted Effie, a small shadow by the pool, her silhouette outlined in the moonlight. I opened the patio door and crossed the lawn toward her. As I drew closer, I heard her quiet crying, and my heart cracked. Without a word, I sat behind her, pulling her back into my chest and wrapping my arms around her. She startled, then quickly wiped at her face. “I didn’t mean to disturb your rest,” she whispered.
“I would rather you wake me up than sit here alone in the dark, Effie,” I said quietly. “You don’t have to hide your grief from me.”
“You hated her.”
“And you loved her.”
“I loved the image I had of her. She was never the sister I wanted her to be. I hoped she would be. But she was part of my life. A life I no longer have anything of. Everything I knew, I loved, is gone.”
Something in her voice broke me, and I held her closer. “You have me. Nonna. Aldo and Vi. A different life, yes, but I promise you, one that won’t contain so much struggle.”
“I know. It’s just…” She trailed off, a long, shuddering sigh escaping her lips.
I pressed a kiss to her head. “I know, Little Tiger. I know. Let it out.”
Instead of more tears, she leaned back into me. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
“It is. I often sit and listen to the wind. Look at the stars.”