Page 94 of Tainted Ties

He shook his head, regaining focus. “Sorry. I’m here forCapo Donna.”

I quirked a brow at him, but then he signaled to Aurora, who looked like she had seen a ghost.

Moments ago, she had a flush creeping along her skin and now she was pale, void of any color.

Ricardo leaned forward, his arm extending to her. “It’s parked out front.”

She reached out and took the key that he dropped in her palm.

Turning on his heel, he left the room, the sound of the main door shutting behind him.

Even then, Aurora’s attention hadn’t faltered from where he once stood, holding the key tightly in between her hands.

I walked toward her and she didn’t seem to notice until my hand circled her elbow, pulling her out of whatever trance she was in.

She smiled, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “I have a surprise for you.” The key dangled in front of us, the sound of it jingling from the shake of her hand.

Grasping her wrist, I leaned down, catching her striking green eyes. “What kind of surprise is this that it has you wanting to jump out of your own skin?”

“You haven’t been out in a while, so I’m just nervous.”

“Is that all?”

Her demeanor had changed within the span of two minutes. There was something wrong with my wife and I hated that I couldn’t figure out what.

“Yes.” Her chuckle was small, fake. “Or maybe I’m eager to get back home and finish what we started.”

She was lying.

I pulled her to me, kissing her cheek. “How about we finish it now.”

Her shove was lighthearted. “Later.”

“Are you lying,anima mia?” In a silent battle, I held her stare, trying to reassure her that she could tell me whatever was on her mind. “You know I hate liars.”

“I know.”

“You haven’t been the same since you visited the cemetery.”

Her eyes narrowed in on me, a spark of anger blazing within them. “What does that mean?”

“It’s like you’re here, but at the same time you’re not.”

It was true. Aurora had tended to my every need while injured, but she was withdrawn.

“I’m sorry that visiting the graves of my dead mother and brother weren’t a joy ride for me. Next time, I’ll be sure to throw a party.”

Her words planted a seed of guilt in me. “That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s fine, Roman.” She removed herself from my grasp. “I’ll be in the car.”

When she walked out of the kitchen, the pressure in my chest threatened to crush me from the inside out while my mind and heart raced in opposite directions.

I slipped my phone from my pocket and dialed my head of security.

Moments later, I sat in the passenger seat of the car Ricardo had parked out in the front, Aurora occupying the driver’s seat.

“Here,” she said, handing me a blindfold.

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