Page 186 of Falling for the Wife

Waking up from that vivid dream was not only unsettling, it also felt as if I had been transported back in time, profoundly feeling that unique kind of elation, connecting to another person like I had never had before, except when I was behind the wheel. That could be the very reason behind the obsession.

There was only one person in this world who would put a stop to the nonsensical madness that was wreaking havoc with my livelihood. Even though it was one in the morning, I knew I had to see her.

Fuel surged into my blood, electrifying me with adrenaline as I jumped into the shower then changed into my worn out, black, distressed jeans and a black V-neck shirt.

Sliding inside my Maserati GranTurismo, I hastily started the engine, stepped on the gas pedal, and then gunned the super sports car out of my driveway. Remembering ever detail in the file that Gino handed me, I didn’t hesitate driving towards her new home in Via Margutta.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do once I got to her place. All I knew was that I needed more answers, because what she had supplied wasn’t enough, far from it, actually. Besides, I was dying just to be near her, to feel her presence. At this pivotal point, I would seriously be happy to take whatever crumbs she was willing to give me.

Lost in my own world of dreams, it barely registered that I had actually arrived at my destination until I practically flew past the house. I briskly glanced at the house number before the sinking feeling began in my stomach once more. It seemed it was a common occurrence whenevershewas part of the equation.

“Cazzo Madre di Dio, get a fucking hold of yourself!” I muttered under my breath as I gripped the wheel, watching as my knuckles turned white.

There was a high chance her husband was going to answer the door. What was my plan once that happened? I would most likely knock him out so I could speak to his wife uninterrupted. If I did that, it would undoubtedly upset Kim, which was the last thing I wanted. Given her condition, I should act a little delicately around her and not like some brooding bastard who was too wounded to see the bigger picture.

What exactly was the bigger picture, though?

I was soon to find that out.

Sliding out of the car, I ground my teeth together as I strode up the small, uphill driveway. Once I reached the door, I sporadically buzzed the doorbell while my knuckle rapped at the door. I was prepared to see Anton Gallo, but I was surprised that it was actually Kimberly who opened it.

“Shit, Luca, can you quit that before you wake up Anton!” Obviously stunned to see me, her face was contorted into a cute frown as she noted my overall appearance, scars and all. Her eyes were glued to the small, bandaged side of my hairline.

“How’d you know it was me? You can’t just open the door without asking who it is first.” She was too trusting. Even though Rome and this affluent side of town wasn’t known for crime, it didn’t mean a thing. Obviously corruption was everywhere, and no city was an exception.

She opened her mouth to say something then paused for a second, hesitating, before she spoke again. “It was the sound of your car. I still remember it.”

Dio mio. She still managed to leave me breathless.

Her demeanor wasn’t welcoming, though it wasn’t hostile, either. Should I take that as a good sign? Assuming this might be premature.

I took a chance and tried to match her yielding gaze, but I was too nervous to do so. Instead, I tried to look anywhere but at her, which would be a mistake, because she was donning a black, silk robe that had a good view of her cleavage. While I tried to avoid her gaze, I was left staring boldly at her neck, which helped little with my tensed state.

“Where’s your husband?” I casually asked, shifting from foot to foot, all the while wondering if she was going to invite me inside. It was highly unlikely, given the awkward situation.

“He’s asleep. He has a sleeping problem, so he takes a pill before he goes to bed. That’s why he wasn’t here to greet you,luckily.” She paused, looking concerned as she watched me intently.

“The last time I saw you, everything happened so quickly I didn’t really get a good look at you, nor did it help that the lack of lighting didn’t show how wounded you are. I mean, I think I saw it, but I was just too shocked to see you again, and things spiraled quickly afterwards, so it was difficult to grasp everything. You’re definitely okay, though, right?”

I merely gave a meek nod, unsure what to make of her apprehensive attitude.

“That’s great. That’s amazing to hear.” She nervously gave out a forced laugh before looking away with her lips pressed together. “Luca…” she whispered in a melancholy tone before trying to seek my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“You must know”—I felt gutted, raw, crestfallen—“I can’t stop thinking about you. Lord knows I’ve tried—God, how I tried to do just that—but nothing seems to work. I don’t know what to do.”

She stared at me gravely. “I can’t do this with you. This is insanely crazy. Please … go home,” she pleaded, appearing frantic as she clutched her silk robe.

I was aggravating her, and I felt wretched about it, but I had come this far. I couldn’t see myself giving up again just because she chose to push me away.

“Look at me.” I sought to connect with her eyes; however, the wretched woman moved her head to the side, unrelenting. “Dammit, look at me!”I heatedly hissed at her. Fear gripped me, yet hope somehow prevailed as I lovingly reached out to cup her face with my hands, beseeching. “Tell me you don’t feel this. Tell me this isn’t breaking you the way it’s doing me in.”

“There’s a larger aspect involved here, Luca. It’s not just between you and me. I wish things could’ve turned differently between us, but at this stage, there’s nothing we can do other than accept that we’re fated to be apart.” Glassy eyed, she sought my face, imploring. “Every waking moment I spent with you … I’ll always treasure. They’ll always be some of my fondest memories. I’m sorry—I really am—but you must go.”

Why wasn’t she listening to a word I was saying?

“I’vetried.” Couldn’t she see that? It took me months to decide to seek her out. All those months I had struggled to forget her to no avail. I had all but given up the fantasy of forgetting her because I knew she was too deeply imbedded inside me, and the moment that happened; there was no undoing it. It was either I accept it or live a life chasing her ghost away. This…this was me choosing—choosing to keep loving her. “It’s all I did for the past few months. I tried to forget you, but you wouldn’t leave my thoughts. Whenever I was between another woman’s legs, I would close my eyes and think of you in her place.”

I had been looking for the wrong things, hoping it was the solution I needed to get on with my life. However, I realized that I had to do one last thing before I could fully let go, and it was that I had to fight for her first, which I should have done from the start.

---