Page 139 of Fix You

“I thought as much.”

“What’s in Catania?”

“The house where we stayed with Caterina after we kidnapped her. The housekeeper has remained in touch with Callum and Caterina.”

“And you don’t think she’s going to flap her gums to Caterina about my whereabouts? I told you that I didn’t want anyone but you to know.”

“I’m going to need to bring her into our confidences to ensure you can stay at the next stop.”

“Kellan, no,” I protested.

“Maeve, you have to trust me. As much as she would hate to see you and Rafe break up, she also has her baby and husband’s lives to worry about.”

And that’s really what it all came down to. As much as my heart was breaking, I had to sacrifice to ensure the ones that I loved stayed alive. “Okay.”

“I’ll take care of all the details of getting your things from Dublin. Although he won’t know where you’ve gone, I’ll bring Eamon in to forge documents from the Dean of Trinity College to say that he’s granted you the privilege to finish up the semester online.”

“Once again, you’ve thought of everything.”

“I always do. Before you leave Ireland, get rid of your phone. Brian will give you a burner phone that you can take to Sicily.”

“I will.” Although it seemed Kellan had taken care of everything, there was one person who I was terribly worried about in this scheme. “And what about Mam?”

“I will tell her you have to disappear for a little while. We both know I can’t tell her where you’ve gone or everyone would know.”

I welcomed the laugh that came when I thought about how Mam couldn’t keep secrets. It was a well-known family joke. “Exactly.”

“And it is only for a little while, right, Maeve?” Kellan questioned.

“It’s until Rafe realizes he can’t get me back and marries Drea.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

But there was a part of me that wanted to stay hidden as long as my heart was broken, and I had a feeling that was going to be a long time.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Raphael

Hours after I burst into the suite at the Shelborne, I still remained on the bed with Maeve’s letter in my lap. I don’t know how many times I’d read it. I’d desperately searched its contents to try to find a clue of where she could’ve gone. The reasons behind her departure were very evident, and in my mind, I knew they were valid.

But I couldn’t tell that to my heart.

No, it was broken in two.

Once again, I lowered my eyes to the paper and began to read.

My dearest Rafe,

There is nothing in the world I would rather be than your wife. But the forces against us will not let that be. The selfish part of me wants to say to hell with it and tie your name to mine regardless of the consequences. I could never live with myself if I did that and we lost one of my brothers oryours. Or if my mother was a casualty to this vendetta of Caruso’s. Deep down, I know you couldn’t live with the guilt either.

So as much as it pains me to leave you, I must. I’m disappearing to where you can’t find me. Please don’t try to look for me. Give in to Caruso, and do your duty by marrying Drea. Protect your brothers and my brothers and my mother by doing what we both know is the right thing.

I know it is of little comfort, but I’ll love you until my dying day. One day after all this is behind us, I hope we can see each other again. That we can embrace a friendship.

I love you always,

Maeve

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