not met before. Esther places the dish down along with the towel and clasps her hands together in front of her flat stomach. “Can I tell you something, Rose?”
I’m caught off guard, my hands pausing from fussing over my dress. I should embrace this moment of interaction, since it’s never happened before. “Sure,” I say, almost offhandedly, when on the inside I’m churning with curiosity.
“I just want him to be at peace.”
My brow furrows before I can instruct myself to stop it. “You mean Danny?”
“He’s full to the brim with resentment. I can’t blame him, not after what I did to him.” She smiles when my eyes widen. “I know he’s told you, and just the fact he’s found someone to confide in fills me with a comfort that you might not ever understand. I’ll never forgive myself for abandoning him, Rose. For leaving him with that monster. Never.” A hard swallow. “But—”
“Then why did you?” I can’t stop myself.
“Sorry?”
“Why did you leave him?”
“Sometimes things aren’t as simple as they seem. I was a young woman. Everything just seemed . . . impossible.”
“I was fifteen,” I say without thought. “I would have moved mountains to keep my son.”
Esther recoils, surprised. Yes, I have a son, so she can’t tell me I don’t understand. I do. “Then why didn’t you?” she asks gently, throwing my words back in my face. I suddenly can’t breathe as I stare Danny’s mother in the eye. She’s not looking at me in disapproval or disgust. She’s looking at me like she truly needs my answer.
“I—”
“There you are.” Danny’s voice joins us in the kitchen, and I turn to find my knight in rusty, tarnished armor, looks like anything but. He’s wearing a fine black three-piece, his hair slicked back, his stubble neat. His piercing gaze assesses me, blazing a trail of appreciation up and down my body. “Are you okay?”
I pull myself together and push my shoulders back, glancing at Esther. She smiles at me before going about her business. “I’m fine.” I strain a meek smile and approach him, slipping my arm through his when he cocks it out. We walk to the car, and I note Brad and Ringo getting in the Merc up front as Danny leads me to the one behind. “They’re joining us for dinner?”
Opening the passenger door for me, he lets me lower to the seat, holding my hand. “I don’t go far without them.”
I wouldn’t either if I had a target as big as Danny’s on my back. I guess I have now, too, so their presence should reassure me. Danny slips into the driver’s side and starts the car, studying me thoughtfully. “What?” I ask as I pull my seatbelt across.
“Tonight . . . it’s going to be fine. Good,” he tells me, laying his hand palm up in front of me.
I frown as I place my hand in his, looking at him in question. He doesn’t entertain my curiosity. Just stares forward, squeezing my hand.
We pull up at iron decorative gates after a half-hour drive across town. The mansion is sprawling, easily on par with Danny’s epic palace, and just like Danny’s place, there are suited men at the gates. “I assumed we were going to a restaurant,” I say as Brad opens the door for me and I step out, catching him looking across the roof to Danny. It might be me, but he looks pissed off. I follow his eyes to Danny and find a cold stare. Have they fallen out? Over me?
“Ernie suggested dining here with him.” Danny rounds the car and collects me, leading me up the steps. “Given there’s someone out to kill me, I took the offer.”
“What’s with all the men?” I ask, motioning to two more guys halfway down the driveway.
“Ernie’s related to Carlo Black.” Danny tips me an ironic smile. “Dad always insisted he have security, much to Ernie’s displeasure.”
I can understand his displeasure, but also the need. “Is Brad okay?” I ask, casting my eyes over my shoulder. He and Ringo are following us, though keeping their distance. “He looks tense. It’s me, isn’t it? He doesn’t trust me.”
“That’s his problem. Don’t make it yours.” His words are final, daring me to ignore them. Brad looks around, his eyes high and low. Then his hard stare lands on me, and I shrink under his icy glare. Shrinking isn’t me, but I hate the notion that he dislikes me. I don’t suppose I can ask for anything more.
We’re