Page 83 of Now and Forever

“Idon’t want you to leave. It seems like you just got here,” I said to Camila in the airport, standing near the entrance to her gate. I would walk her all the way if I could. Without a ticket and with a knife strapped to my leg, going through security wasn’t an option. “Maybe you can come back when you have a few days off school?”

She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m glad I got to see you. I feel better about you and Dario.” Her lips curled. “He’s quiet, but I saw the way he looks at you.” She nodded. “You two will make this work.”

I nodded. “I have to lower my expectations. It’s not like Dario will ever love me, but we can be partners in this marriage.”

“I think you’re wrong.”

“You do?”

Camila nodded. “I saw it. Today at Emerald Club. He cares about you and keeping you safe. He didn’t want us to come for some reason but changed his mind when you asked. Dario doesn’t strike me as a man who easily changes his mind, but he did for you.”

A lump formed in my throat. “I can’t get my hopes up, Camila. He said he’s not a man capable of love. I have to accept that.”

“Okay, fine. You can still love him.”

“I think I do, or I’m starting to,” I admitted for the first time aloud.

She hugged me again and looked over to Miguel. “We better go.”

“I loveyou.”

“Love you, too.”

Giovanni and I waited until Camila and Miguel disappeared into the sea of people. I turned to Giovanni. “She’s gone. Tell me what’s happening.”

“Mrs. Luciano…”

I stood my ground. “Are you going to tell me I’m imagining the unspoken tension?”

“Mr. Luciano will explain. He said to bring you home.”

“Dario is home?” It’s unusually early in the day for him to be home.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I inhaled. “Okay, let’s go then.”

Before today, I saw Kansas City traffic as mild compared to SoCal. However, as my nerves were stretched taut and I was anxious to see Dario, it seemed like everyone who owned a car was out and about on the city streets. My stomach twisted with each scenario my imagination could concoct. I looked at the rearview mirror. “Dario isn’t in danger, is he?”

Giovanni met my gaze in the reflection. “He’s safe at home.”

I nodded.

By the time we made it to the parking garage, it was nearly five o’clock. That was still an hour earlier than Dario usually came home. Looking at the cars in our private garage, I wouldn’t be able to tell if Dario was home. There were too many vehicles available to him and Dante.

I didn’t wait for Giovanni to open my door. Opening it myself, I slid out, and led my bodyguard to the door accessing the elevator. Standing in this spot made me realize I still didn’t have a card to operate the elevator. Maybe it was a stupid thing to be thinking about as the elevator ascended to the top of the building, but for some reason, I was suddenly fixated on it. When the doors opened to our entry, Dario was there, waiting.

All other thoughts left me as we collided. My arms went around his neck as his hands came to my waist. “I’ve been so worried,” I said after our kiss. My forehead furrowed as I took in his expression.

Dario nodded to Giovanni, who stepped into the open elevator and disappeared behind the closing doors. “We need to talk.”

“Shit, Dario, you’re scaring me. Something was happening at the club. Last night you said you’re worried about a coup and then you act all strange.”

He reached for my hand. “Let’s talk in the library.”

“Why not upstairs?”

“I’ll explain.”

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