romantic in an archaic kind of way.
He grinned and then shrugged. “That could be true. He’s referring to Adam and Eve in the garden, though. ‘The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds in the air, and to every beast in the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.’ Not until he was made to fall into a deep sleep, and when he woke up, he was missing a rib. A piece of him, but in its place, the woman was brought to him. His.”
“Do you want your rib back?” I grinned, running my hands up his sides, settling on his ribs. I loved his entire body, but that was one of my favorite spots. I loved to run my fingertips up and down them at night.
“Already got it,” he said, kissing me once more. “The day in that pistachio grove. I woke up and found you.”
He said the words plainly, like they were simply the truth. Like they wouldn’t leave my heart stuttering in the closet when he walked out of it.
Anna wrapped her arm around mine, yanking me into her. “I am amazed at how different men can be. My husband is an honest worker—he does not do the things your husband does. But he does not…talk to me like that. He does not arrange for my family to be there when I need them the most. Fabrizio is wonderful in his own ways, he is wonderful to the world, but your husband is to you. He is cruel to the rest of the world, but you are his exception. He has found a way to love through you.”
We walked out behind him, going to say goodbye to mamma and Ele before we left. Mamma had her out in the sun, taking her for a walk in the stroller around the property. I refused to leave her with anyone else in the house.
Corrado got to them before we did. He smiled at her and picked her up, and she started to cry. He hadn’t been home much during the day. The time he spent with her was at night when she was asleep.
He turned around and handed her to me. She calmed right away when I spoke to her, kissing her on her wet cheeks.
“She just does not recognize you,” I whispered.
He fixed his suit, nodded, and then left with his men.
Bella Luna was packed. The line was out the door. We’d completely run out of Lo Scorpione. It was one of the most popular candles in the shop.
Nunzio followed Anna, Brooklyn, and I out as we left.
“Accidenti!” Anna said, smiling. Damn. “You are a hit, Alcina!”
“Not me,” I said. “The candles.”
She stopped before we got to the car, looking at the empty shop next door. “What happened? It looks like a nice place. Like a candy shop. It’s sweet looking.”
Nunzio opened the door to the car and I slid in first, followed by Brooklyn and then Anna.
“He was not there long,” I said. “He came to introduce himself and then not long after, the shop closed.”
Brooklyn started to laugh. “You seriously don’t know what happened to him, Alcina?”
“No,” I said. “Why would I?”
She shook her head and sighed as Nunzio started the car and pulled out into traffic. “Two words. Your husband.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “He ran him off?”
“I’d bet my date on it,” she said. “He runs this town. No one talks to his woman and gets away with it. Well.” She bit her lip. “That’s what I’m betting happened. I saw Halifax on his way out, and he wouldn’t even look at me.” She pulled her phone out and pressed the side button. “Speaking of sweet…here’s the cutest baby in the world.” She showed us her screen saver. It was Ele. She was smiling.
I missed her instantly, and then my heart felt heavy when I remembered how she had cried when her papà had picked her up.
Anna nudged me. “Mamma has this. Enjoy your day. You rarely leave.” She smiled at Brooklyn. “Tell us about your date.”
Brooklyn’s face lit up, but it fell when the car came to an abrupt stop. We all flew forward, the seat belt biting into my neck. There was traffic, but nothing that would have caused Nunzio to slam on the brake. He refused to meet my eye through the mirror, but he looked more sour than usual.
“Oh!” Brooklyn tucked her hair behind her ears after it fell into her face from the