Page 21 of Disarming Caine

Alice gave me a smile and a wave. “You going to ID this painting for me today?”

Frank looked up expectantly.

“Italian Baroque, 16th century?” I meant it as a joke, but she nodded. When I was first introduced to Alice, I’d identified a painting from that period and style she was working on. It had obviously impressed her. I smiled, Sofia’s avoidance continuing to hang over me, preventing a laugh.

“Samantha, you’re mine this morning.” Dom waved me over to him. He’d opened the case and had withdrawn the paperwork.

After donning the pair of nitrile gloves he handed me, I lifted the painting and placed it on his desk.

“What is this?”

I pointed to the hole in the middle of the medium blue stripe. “Bullet hole.”

“I haven’t dealt with one of those in a while,” he sighed.

“But, you have before?”

“A few times, yes.” He put up a hand for silence and any further questions died on my lips. Had he seen bullet holes in paintings because when you restore thousands of paintings, you’ll see a bit of everything? I’d been to the studio many times before, but this was only the second time I’d met with Dominico professionally. I couldn’t ask him for details like that, could I?

Donning his headband and flipping down the magnification visor, he closed in on the painting to examine how the fibers had been impacted. He moved this way and that, taking the damage in, and flipped the painting over to inspect the back.

I smiled and pointed out the backing Antonio had applied. “Antonio fixed a tear in it in August.”

He stepped back from his close review and flipped it over to look at the front again. He lifted it on an angle and looked at the back, the front, then the back and front again.

“It was exceptional work.” I smiled, thinking of the day he’d called me in to pick it up. He’d gifted me a pastry and a copy of his doctoral dissertation. He’d been so charming, working hard to impress me.I should text him about that. That would make him happy.

Dom straightened, nodding slowly. “Yes, outstanding work. Maybe we should leave it for him to do.”

“I don’t think they want to wait until April.”

“No, when he’s home for—” He cut off abruptly, his face dropping. His eyes flicked toward the reception area and back to me. Frank and Alice did the same. “Ah, yes, good point.”

The knot tightened in my stomach. They were hiding something about Antonio. All of them. When I turned around to follow their eyes, Sofia was standing at the dividing wall between the studio and the reception area. Her face was tight, likely a mirror of my own, her arms folded.

Suddenly, Sofia threw her hands out, rushing toward me. “Oh, I can’t stand it! He’s coming home for Christmas! He arrives at five!”

I gaped.He what?

She flung her arms around me and everyone else laughed.

“That’s why he was working all weekend?” The knot exploded into an army of butterflies in my chest. I was going to see him. Today! Get that hug and tell him what happened Saturday and finally have him tell me everything was alright. I had to shower and get changed. Tidy my hotel room. Pick up my dress from the dry— “And why he scheduled date night tonight?”

She released me, nodding vigorously. “He’s such a troublemaker! Promised me not to tell, but I told everyone—” She looked past me to her father. “—and warned them all to keep quiet when you were here.”

My heart did a cartwheel. He’d be home for Christmas! “I’ll pick him up! Gimme the details.”

“Perfect!” She grinned wickedly; she loved messing with her brother. “Turn the surprise on him!”

Myfoothittheaccelerator and I made my way onto the street, heart hammering the whole time, and the smile not leaving my lips. “I’m sorry, Luce. We’ll do lunch later.”

Lucy’s eyes were plastered to her phone. “Is it too soon to text Lorenzo?”

Antonio was such a troublemaker. He’d planned date night so he could surprise me. My schedule was already clear for the evening, but I could reschedule one other appointment and get ready. I had to shave my legs. No time to pick up the dress, though. Swap out the cotton underwear, for sure.

I hadn’t asked how long he’d be home, but Sofia said Christmas. “Oh my god, I’m calling Cass! She’ll have to make space for Christmas dinner.”

Lucy popped a gum bubble. “I’m still invited, though, right?”

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