Izzy collapsed back into my arms again, and I cupped her head, and tears hit my face for the first time since the day I’d dropped to my knees at Bianca’s church right before my arrest.
I lost one sister, and I nearly lost another, and somehow Bianca brought us back together. Saving me like always. Even from the beyond, she had my six.
“I love you, sis,” I whispered once she’d untangled herself from my hug.
Her gaze slipped to the folder, to the papers that had fallen from it. “Bianca believed in forgiveness. Mercy. She believed in love. So I’m going to be like that, too.” She knelt and picked up the folder, shuffling the papers back inside. “She didn’t get her happy ending, but I know she’d want all of us to have ours. And we owe it to her to do it. To live in the now instead of the past. And I’m going to try hard to do that.”
I tilted my head. “Does that mean no more dating men who don’t deserve you?”
Her gaze shot to the door, and I was unsure why. “I promise, but if I lose my way—”
“I’ll be there for you to guide you back.”
THIRTY-THREE
Maria
I stared at Chiara asleep in her crib later that afternoon, my heart swelling in my chest at the sight of her. My parents, as well as Natalia and Ryan, had met us at the airport an hour ago. Chiara had nearly jumped free from Mom’s arms to get to me. After I gave her a million kisses, Enzo stole her from me, and I’d swear that man held her as if he might never let go.
I’d sent Natalia and Ryan home, but my parents stubbornly followed us back to my place. My parents didn’t know the entire story of what had happened, and they didn’t need to know. But the Costas had assured them we were all safe and we would be protected.
“She always passes out on car rides.” I folded my arms, continuing to stare at my beautiful daughter.
“Let’s not wake her. Come on.” Mom lightly grabbed my arm, urging me to leave, but it was hard to unglue myself from Chiara when I’d been away from her for far too long. But I supposed Mom was right, so we left her room, though I kept the door slightly ajar.
Dad was in the living room talking in private with Enzo and, from the sounds of it, in Italian.
“Give them a second more alone,” Mom said, holding me back from entering the room.
“Don’t tell me he’s lecturing him? Threatening him that if something happens to me yada-yada-yada?” I asked her with worry, because that was the last thing Enzo needed right now.
“No, not at all. He’s giving his blessing.”
Well, that wasn’t what I’d been expecting her to say, but I was all for it.
Mom looked over at the two men, then focused back on me. “Enzo was tasked long ago to keep you and your sister safe, and your father’s worried Enzo may feel as though he’s crossing some type of line by loving you, which he so clearly does. And who are we to stand in the way of true love?”
I needed to hear that. I hadn’t realized just how much until now. “You’re turning over that new leaf for real this time, hmm?”
She smirked. “A work in progress.”
Her words brought me back to Enzo saying the same thing in New York. My man . . . my everything. I just wished I didn’t get the feeling something was still bothering him and he was keeping it from me. “I thought we were done with secrets.” Shit, did I say that out loud?
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Ignore me. I’m tired.”
“Mm-hmm. Well, I overheard Natalia talking to you on the phone yesterday, and you told her you’re having nightmares. Bet you haven’t told Enzo that.”
“It was one nightmare. And now Enzo’s back with me, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I hoped I would be, at least. But who could blame me? I’d had to watch Enzo take lives to protect us, and then he’d been ripped away from me by the FBI. That was the definition of “a lot.”
“I’m just relieved Thomas wasn’t part of whatever happened.”
I folded my arms. “You really did a lot of eavesdropping on my conversation with Natalia Saturday, I see.” I’d texted Thomas on my way home that I was back and had Chiara. He’d yet to answer, and I hadn’t heard from him all weekend, which was shocking, so I had to assume he was still out of town.
“I think we should head out and give Maria and Enzo some privacy,” Mom said a moment later, more than likely trying to dodge a lecture from me about her invading my privacy. So much for the new leaf.