Alessia (Casella Cousins #4) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,23
my heart.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It sounds so seedy. Please don’t do this.”
“I have to.”
A few tears rolled down her cheeks. She disentangled their hands and swiped them away. She slid out of the booth, picked up her jacket and bookbag. “I guess I have no say in this. But I want one promise from you.”
“I’ll do it if I can.”
“Promise me you won’t come back and tell me you made a mistake by choosing Jane.” Her voice was hoarse and husky. “I can never accept you if you go ahead with this.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodbye, Derek.”
Quietly, she walked away.
Out of his life.
Grant would be pleased.
* * *
Stuart wasn’t the only one in this place. He’d seen the others coming and going. He was totally addicted to the drugs, as was their plan, but at times, when he was coherent enough, he planned his suicide. There were no knives with meals, but he’d managed to snitch a fork because they unknowingly sent him two, and the deliverer didn’t notice.
Sure, it would be painful. But nothing, nothing, could be more excruciating than spending his entire life in a prison not of his making.
Chapter 7
* * *
Alessia was really pissed off. Really pissed off! On Wednesday morning, she texted Adam Baron and asked if he wanted to go to the movies. He texted right back an enthusiastic Yes, with emojis and suggested the next night. That done, she cleaned her house. From top to bottom, skipping lunch, and working right until the front bell rang.
Listlessly, she walked to the foyer and opened the door.
“Hey, Ali.” Gideon’s face darkened. “What’s wrong?”
“Come on in.”
He walked in and down the hallway to the kitchen. “Want coffee?”
“Yeah, I’ll get us both some.”
They sat at the table, and he said gently, “Tell me, honey.”
“Derek and I broke up. He said he can’t get involved with me because his wife died not long ago and it doesn’t seem right.”
“Geez, you two hit it off so well.” His white-blond brows knitted. “And he’s a good guy. He was a big help in the car crash.”
“I know. He is a good guy. But it’s over.”
“Maybe something will change.”
“No. We’re done.”
“I’m sorry for you then.”
“Was there a reason you came over from Mama’s?” He was recuperating there for a few days.
“Yeah. I didn’t get the promotion. Anabelle Sanders got it.”
“Oh, Gid, I’m sorry.” She took his hand. “Did they say they gave it to her because you were sidelined?”
“They hinted at it in private. Not in front of her. They said their decision was still pending, but my injury made their minds up.”
“Did you talk to Anabelle?”
“Yep. She wants me on the task force as soon as my two-weeks’ required recuperation time is over. I said I’d think about it.”
“You really wanted to be on that.”
“I know, but geez…”
“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
He thought about that a minute. “Yeah, why deprive myself of a new job, just because I can’t be boss?” His gaze narrowed on her. “When did you get so smart?”
She laughed and it felt good.
Gideon left with a reminder she was supposed to come to dinner at Mama’s tonight.
An hour later, Mattie burst inside, running into the kitchen with his boots on, getting her clean floors dirty. “Mommy, can we go to Tommy’s. He got a new train set as an early Christmas present, and we wanna play with it.”
“Sure, Mattie. Let me get the snack I made for all of you.”
“Uncle Rafe said he’d fix us one, and to watch from the house till we get there.”
Mikey had stayed in the foyer waiting.
“All right, I’ll take your bags to your room, so you can go now.”
Alessia was glad for the bite of frigid air as she stood in the driveway of her house and Rafe opened the door to his, called out, “Hey Sis. I got this. Thanks for helping us out, here.”
She knew Tomaso had become clingy the closer Kate’s due date got. Having friends over occupied him, so Rafe could spoil his wife.
Before she went back inside, Pete’s bus stopped and he got off. “Hey, honey. Have a nice day?”
“Yeah.” They went through the garage, he kicked off his boots in the mud room and tucked his coat on the hook. When he came into the kitchen, he said, “Mom, I need to talk to you.”
Man, she wasn’t up to another row with her son. She was hanging on to her emotions by a thread. “Sure.”