Page 44 of Promise Maker

Seeming enamored, Francesca stares out the maindoors for a while with a smile on her face until looking across, catching mewatching.

“Sorry,” I tell her.

She snorts. “That was Mariella. My lover.”

“Oh. She’s pretty.”

“Finished taking pictures?” she asks, coming over.

“Yeah. It’s full.”

Her ashen-gray eyes linger on me like earlier inthe kitchen. She seems intrigued. “Nico would stare at your photos for hourswhen he’d return from…night work.” I suppose that’s code for killing.“Something about your innocence calmed him.”

“When did he start night work?” I question.

“Sixteen,” she says.

“Seriously?” I suddenly feel angry with Mr.Martelli. “How could your father—”

“Do not judge us, Solari. We come from verydifferent worlds.”

“Haveyouever…” I can’t finish.

Francesca’s gaze drifts to the plants as sheanswers, “Yes. I have. I’ve been in danger many times and had to defend myself.Our grandfather didn’t tolerate weakness.”

The more I’m around theMartellis,the more I appreciate the life my dad gave me.

“I almost envy you.” She looks back at me whileslanting in the direction of the piazza. “Your life was next to perfect andpeaceful before your father’s murder. While I’m protected, my life is far frompeaceful.” She leaves me with that, her words hanging in the air.

That’s now my life as well.

After dinner, I shower and wait for Domenico. Hesaid he’d bring a laptop, but honestly, I just want to be near him, and it’sbecoming painful to deny.

As time ticks by, I start to think he won’t show.

Light tapping on my door erases that.

Riddled with uncontrollable excitement, I jolt upin bed when he enters, carrying a laptop, alcohol, and two glasses.

“Ever drank whiskey?” he asks, setting everythingon the dresser.

“No.” I get out of bed and walk over. “Is itstrong?”

“It depends on the individual.” He powers on thelaptop. “Show me your pictures.”

I connect the camera and wait for windows to startto upload them. Then I open thefolderso he’ll scrollthrough the images.

“Everything is wonderful and carefully shot,” hesays, focusing on my different camera angles. “You also pay attention todetail.”

“I guess so. Thank you.”

When he’s finished, he fills the glasses and says,“Drink with me.”

“Trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me?”

He huffs. “Yousaid youwanted us to talk. Well, I like talking over drinks.”

I accept the glass and sip the alcohol. It stingsa tad on the way down, but the taste instantly hooks me. “Ooh. That’s good.” Imotion for Domenico to pour more.

---