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Alejandro climbed out, immediately scanning the area. He nodded to the other vehicle before closing his door. “I’ll unlock the door. Then I’ll need to say something to Gio. Go in and start looking around.”

“Is everything okay?”

He passed by me before I flipped the seat so I could unfasten Gabriel. When he squeezed my arm, tingles shifted down my spine. “Everything is fine. Just establishing parameters. Nothing more.”

“Okay. If you say so.” I watched as he headed to the beautiful wooden front door before working to get Gabriel out before he did so himself. “Okay, little man. Now, remember this is someone else’s house so don’t put sticky fingers on anything. Okay?”

“Yes, Mommy. Geez. I’m a big boy.”

He was certainly starting to act that way. I closed the door, finding it impossible to keep from smiling. I missed my quaint Cape Cod, but this was insanely gorgeous.

Alejandro opened the door, winking at me as he handed me the keys. “I’ll be right there.”

“You better be.” I was a little shocked at what I’d just said. This felt almost normal, as if a couple was eager to close on their first home. Gabriel had already disappeared inside, but I couldn’t help watching Alejandro heading toward the SUV.

A strange feeling swept through me. I could almost like the guy.

Laughing to myself, I stepped inside, closing the door after me.

And my mouth dropped open again. The stunning architecture mixed a bit of the nineteen-seventies with modern, but done so in a creative way that made you feel comfortable.

The home was decorated with the most beautiful furniture yet without all the stuffy, very uncomfortable appearances that were often associated with houses of this design.

Everything was sleek and artsy. I heard Gabriel’s little feet racing from room to room and groaned. The kid was going to be the death of me.

“Gabe, honey. Where are you?” I found myself weaving my way through one striking setting after another, uncertain of where I was going or when the large house would end. Every room had expansive windows, those in the back allowing me to catch a glimpse of the water. And the stunning grounds. With a pool! I had no idea what to think. My father’s estate was lavish, but stuffy as all get out.

This house had family written all over it. Okay, with a few exceptions. I ended up in the master bedroom suite, stopping short as I stared at the huge king-sized bed. It had to be larger than the norm, the six fluffy pillows creating a dream state. The little girl inside of me wanted to race toward it, flying high in the air and coming down on the dream cloud.

There was a bathroom in the suite and the moment I walked in, I pressed my hand to my mouth. It was the space fantasies were made of. I could see candles surrounding the tub and the tile work was to die for. There were beautiful colors yet not too garish. The linen closet was perfectly lined with fresh towels, all stacked exactly so. There was even a collection of bath salts and bubble baths, shower gels and bombs. I’d dreamt of redoing my bathroom at my home so I could relax with a glass of wine and a book.

“Gabe, don’t touch anything.”

“Mommy. Come look!”

“I will in a second, baby.” I felt guilty for taking a few more minutes to myself, but I just couldn’t help it.

When I went to the closet, at first I was shocked at how large it was. It was bigger than my son’s bedroom in White Plains. But what struck me was that there wasn’t a single piece of clothing. My nosiness continued and I checked the drawers in the matching closet dressers. Not a wayward sock or scarf to be found.

Weird, but there was an obvious explanation. The house had obviously been staged for a sale, but why leave beautiful artwork and towels?

After closing the doors, I shook my head.

I could still hear my little boy’s jabbering and so far, nothing had been shattered so I allowed myself to turn in a full circle, finally ending up at the set of sliding doors leading to a private deck. I meandered toward the doors, finding them easy to unlock. As soon as I walked outside, the warm breeze filtered the scent of flowers and dense foliage into my nose.

Everything was lush and green, the area surrounding the pool and pool house tropical in appearance. I stood quietly, marveling at the view of the water. What would it be like to live here? Was this something we could afford? Money had never meant anything to me, but this… Well, this house was a reminder that money could buy you anything.

Except happiness.

And love.

“What do you think?” Hearing Alejandro’s voice behind me brought a strange sense of sadness into my system. The entirety of the last two weeks was finally settling in.

I was a married woman, anchored to a criminal regime.

“It’s beautiful, but way too expensive.”

He made a sound as he moved beside me, close but not so much I felt suffocated. At least he was cognizant that I wasn’t comfortable with any of this.

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