Page 35 of Hidden Rocco
If he left, did he walk right into their trap?
His mind raced. Maybe it was better to stay and enjoy his last moments at the chalet with Mica.
Since arriving here, his life felt like it had turned around, like Mica was his personal angel, when that was impossible.
She didn’t know the truth about him. She wanted him physically from what she’d said and done, but he’d avoided that because he didn’t want to disappoint her when she discovered his secret.
He placed both hands in front of him and glanced at the floor. “Mica, there is something I should tell you.”
“Confessions are for dessert.” She patted him on his muscular chest covered in a gray Armani suit.
At least he’d wear nice things for the rest of his time here. He picked up the bowls of beef stew and walked them into the dining room, but as he looked around, he didn’t see the baby. “How’s Jacob?”
If he stayed at the chalet, he might as well enjoy his next few moments, however long they stretched out to be. So he passed her and brushed against her sexy shoulder as she said, “He’s sleeping. Personally I think he’s cute, but I’m super biased… what are you doing?”
He flipped the radio to FM and played with the tuning as he said, “Finding the right… here, this will work.” A woman’s voice with a slow song. Perfect. He’d dream about this night for the rest of his years behind bars. He returned to Mica’s side and held out his hand. “Will you dance with me?”
She clutched his palm and flipped her hair. “You want to dance?”
In school and in the movies, one hand went to her side and one hand was out holding her palm. He was always good at imitating. “You have me all dressed up and it might be nice to build up an appetite before we eat.”
A huge smile grew on her face and she beamed at him like he’d offered her an ice cream sundae at some afternoon children’s party her parents had sent her to, mostly so the adults could discuss business. “Okay. I’d like that.”
Mica’s kindness was embedded in her soul. She was a good mother and a good woman that any man would be proud to have. Spunk and a zest for living were the best qualities a woman might offer and Mica had that and more.
If only he could…but he wouldn't entertain the fantasy. “What are your hobbies other than running a business and now being a mom?”
They continued to sway together as she replied, “You mean, what did I do for fun before Jacob?”
His face was warm and a laugh escaped his throat. Had women always been this complicated? Or was it just Mica? “Yes. What did you enjoy?”
She pressed her lips together like she thought very deeply but then said, “Enjoy isn’t the right word. I went skiing, went to all the right places to be seen, but honestly…”
“Yeah?” He realized her voice had trailed off and she wasn’t continuing.
She let out a sigh and met his gaze. “I was never happy or enjoying myself. I was just there to get my picture taken and then return to work.”
The image of Mica in the dress she now wore only smiling for a camera and heading to a desk somewhere seemed… sad. He held her tighter. “That sounds stifling.”
The intensity in her brown eyes made it seem like they were the only people in the world as she said, “You’ve no idea. What about you? What hobbies do you have other than fixing things and cooking?”
“I used to love watching cooking shows on YouTube and preparing something foreign or exotic. I’ve been using memories of my favorites since arriving.” He’d never had much enjoyment or extras offered, but he thought about summers, when he wasn’t near his brothers. “As a kid I enjoyed helping Mom in the garden, but I also liked fishing. The best times in my life were in the Marines.”
Her gaze narrowed like he'd just spoken to her in another language. “Why? It had to be hard work, all the time.”
Hard work was something that fulfilled him. Prison was a place where he was supposed to disappear and never see the bloom of a flower ever again. “Yes, but because no matter what I had to do, my life had purpose.”
A door banged.
His heart raced as he imagined the police storming in. Or more people like his brothers about to attack. In the latter situation, he’d protect Jacob and Mica with his life.
The last thing he wanted was Mica in trouble so he let her go as she asked, “What was that?”
Despite how his pulse went faster than an electric drill, he’d face the music alone. He walked out of the dining room and into the main hotel lobby as he called out behind him, “Hold on…” The door had flung open and banged against the wall from a cold wind.
No one stood there. No guards, no officers. Adrenaline spiked. The police had warrants. His brothers didn’t go by rules. Rocco wouldn’t alert them, if an enemy was waiting. He could be wrong. He called out as he walked toward the door, “Just the wind.”
He popped his head out but no cars were in the front of the chalet as Mica kept hers in the garage below, which was why he’d thought her place was empty the night he’d climbed into her window to escape the cold for a few hours.
