Page 56 of One Savage Union

“Enzo nods but hesitates. I can tell he doesn't want to leave Aria, but he knows an order when he hears one, and he leaves.

I take a moment to think about all he said. He's right about one thing; it seems that Leo is trying to divert us. I don't understand his end game or why he would attack his father directly like that. It doesn't make sense for him to show his hand this early without all the pieces in place. I have the most significant piece he’s seeking, my wife.

Perhaps he is working with someone else. Maybe the Armenians aren't just mercenaries. Possibly, Leo is collaborating with them to advance his ambitions. Something is rotten in Denmark, but today I don’t want to focus on that. I want to show my two girls a good time. I want Lucia to see how good it can be between us and how we can be good parents, even in this life.

I know just the way to do it. A beach day never fails.

19

LUCIA

Watching my husband run along the white sand of his private beach chasing a giggling Aria brings a calm I haven't felt since I was a child with my mother.

We often played along the rocky shore of Rockaway Beach. To me, at a young age, it may as well have been Miami’s Collins or Ocean Drive. I didn’t know we weren’t a beach town until I discovered that some cities stay warm all year round and that the beach is always open and accessible.

My mother was happiest near water and music. Her will stated that she wished to be cremated and her ashes scattered over the Atlantic Ocean. I hated to burn her beautiful, cocoa-colored body. I wanted to do what made me feel good instead, and bury her in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, where her favorite jazz musicians, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Max Roach rest in the Jazz Corner. But I kept her wishes.

This whole situation has made me think about her life in a different light. She was carrying a lot. I was angry that she left me the way she did, but I don't feel alone anymore.

“You can’t catch me, Uncle Rocky!”

I smile at her cute nickname for Rocco. No one else would dare attempt it, not even me. However, I can’t deny that he’s as much in his element here playing tag with a four-year-old as he is hunting down the murderers, thugs, and drug dealers that come against his family. He faces daily threats from the worst of humanity, and still, he can run free on the beach with floppy Black hair, a huge smile, and dancing blue eyes like he doesn’t have a care in the world. He’s happy. Somehow, his happiness makes me feel a little more at ease.

Maybe, just maybe, it isn't a terrible thing that I kind of like my husband.

My kidnapper.

My lover.

We’ve spent the better part of the day on this private beach outside of Positano. Our morning started with lunch and swimsuit shopping in the heart of the city. We stopped by the Missoni boutique I adore. Aria and I picked out matching swimsuits and cover-ups—the colorful threads shimmer under the sun. Rocco let me pick out a funky pair of trunks for him. The bright knit lifted our moods as we headed toward his yacht, the Santa Maria, which took us to our destination.

Aria was a bit sad when Rocco came back into the room this morning after his pow-wow with Enzo. Her father was gone, and it’s clear that no one compares to him in her mind. He’s her safety net. I was a bit anxious because I knew only hell would tear Enzo from her. Whatever called him away must have come from the gates of hell to make him run away without saying a proper goodbye. That scares me.

But as soon as I saw the blue water, I knew there was no need to worry. I'm not in control. God is… As far and vast as this blue sea is, that’s how far I am from truly knowing the exact what and why of my current situation. This experience has taught me tolive in the moment and always make the most of the moments I’m gifted.

“I’ll catch you, my little starfish.” Rocco leans down and stretches his arms to the side like an airplane. He picks up speed and captures the little girl,hugging her tightly. “I’ll always catch you, Aria, you never have to worry. You’ll never be alone if your father and I are alive.”

I privately wipe the tears gathering in my eyes as I watchfrom the spot where Aria and I were building the most fabulous sandcastle of all time. Of course, Rocco catches me, because the man sees everything. He doesn’t say anything; he only nods and brushes the sand off Aria with a towel.

His words pricked my heart and caused an unexpected flood of tears. I never had a father, uncle, or any other man in my life swear to protect me. I dreamed of having a father until I was old enough to know they didn’t simply appear out of desire, necessity, or want. Fathers appeared and stayed around when they cared. Mine simply never did.

But Rocco isn’t interested in my childhood trauma. Not unless it serves him in some way. So, I will keep my tears to myself.

I place my hands over my eyes and look at us across the sea. It’s late in the afternoon, and we probably should get back. I turn to Rocco and smile. “Are you ready to head back?”

He nods. “Yes, we are losing light, and this little munchkin is ready for dinner.” He tickles her sides and she giggles. “What is it you said you wanted for dinner again, Mia Cara? Octopus legs and fish eggs?”

“No! She squeals with laughter. “I said fish sticks and French fries!”

“Oh yes!” He exclaims as he puts her down. “I must have misheard you. Let’s grab all our things and head to the boat. We can’t keep your little stomach waiting.”

I walk up beside him to help pick up all of Aria’s beach toys. “You’re so good with her. It’s sweet.”

He pauses after throwing a bright blue shover in one of the three Goyard St. Louis Bags serving as our beach carryalls today. Living with wealth is still an adjustment for me. However, it’s getting easier. I looked up the price of the colorful totes when Rocco finally gave me a phone. It was brand new and only had one number-his. However, Google works just fine, and I almost threw up in my mouth when I saw that each bag was nearly $ 2,000!

“You act surprised. Do you think I’m such a monster that I have no heart? No capacity to be “sweet,” as you say? By now, I thought you understood that I am a sweet man.” He moves closer to me and reaches his arm around my waist. Pulling me into him, he whispers against my ear, “I just so happen also to be a dangerous man too.”

He bites the top of my ear and nips the earlobe; squeezing my ass before he runs over to help one of our maids get Aria into the yacht.

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