Page 102 of Tormented Diamonds
“Good. Every time you get that look, I get nervous Toscano has called in his ‘favor.’”
It’s a black mark hanging over our heads. A debt that never expires. Gianni agreed to an unspecified, ambiguous favor to be called in at any time for any purpose to save me. I’ll never find a way to let go of that guilt, so I try my best to ignore it; until moments like this drag it front and center.
“I won’t let anyone hurt my family, Doc,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’d burn it all to the ground first.”
“I know.” That’s never been in question. He’s proven that time and again.
Neither of us speaks again, but we don’t have to. Gianni and I have always communicated much better with our bodies than we do with words. Maybe because words can hold lies, but a touch is undeniable and straightforward. So we stare out at our children, just soaking in the life we fought so hard for.
Until Anton comes scurrying past us in a gray-haired blur, his hands flapping in a dismissive gesture. “What are you two still doing here? It’s your anniversary. You were supposed to leave an hour ago.”
“Are you sure you’re all right with watching them?” I ask.
“I’m going to ignore that question on the grounds it insults me.” He flings the French doors open. “There are my three favorite hellions…”
“Nonno!” Rosalia screams, leaping into his arms, quickly followed by a soaking wet Nero, who latches onto his waist from one side, while Renzo claims the other.
“See?” Anton announces with a proud smirk. “Now go. Your presence is no longer needed here.”
Gianni chuckles, his grip on my waist dragging me backward. “Come on, Doc.Nonnohas spoken.”
I roll my eyes as he leads me away, but I’m smiling. Anton loves our kids as much as we do. He’s been theresince the day they were born, hovering and fretting. He’s the only grandfather they’ve ever known, and as far as we’re concerned, he’s family.
“Happy fifteenth wedding anniversary, Mrs. Marchesi. Are you ready for some much-needed alone time?” He nods to the foyer where our suitcases are packed and sitting by the door.
He’s taking me away for the weekend but won’t tell me to where. After the first few chaotic months of our marriage, I was done with surprises, but Nero had other ideas.
Life has a way of forcing your hand.
Sometimes, so do psychiatrists.
“Not yet.” I pull a pair of wire-rimmed glasses from my pocket.
It’s not because I need them. After the tenth time of Renzo ripping my glasses off and trying to eat them as a baby, I switched to contact lenses, despite Gianni’s very vocal protests. My argument was based on practicality. His argument was based on his dick.
I won.
However, I bought this pair strictly to watch that vein twitch at his temple.
His eyes darken as I slide them on my face. “Our session isn’t over yet, Mr. Malone.”
Gianni drags his tongue along the back of his teeth, his breathing ragged and heavy. “Is that right? I don’t recall booking a session with you, Dr. Brennan.”
I give him a slow, daring smile. “Then we need to work on your time management skills. This may take a while. You may not make your flight.”
“Fuck the flight.” Grabbing me, he crushes his lips against mine, his hard, demanding kiss almost causing me to ruin the fantasy and drag him into the nearest room.
Pulling away is a struggle, but I force myself to press my palms to his chest and put space between us. “Patience, Mr.Malone. Go to my office. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Doc.”
“I learned from the best,” I say with a sultry wink.
He turns and lumbers up the stairs, tension radiating off him like a live wire. I stare after him, waiting until I hear him hit the third level before climbing my first step. I unbutton the top of my blouse, my smile widening as I pass paintings of colorful landscapes and vibrant images lining the wall.
None of them are behind glass.
If there’s anything I learned from the tragedy of both my and Gianni’s childhoods, it’s that sin can’t be hidden behind stone walls or glass frames. Eventually, both crack, and the longer you’ve kept them locked away, the harder they’ll try to break you.
