Forever With Me

  “No, instead you said, and this is the Cliff’s Notes version, but as a man, this is what he heard, fuck you. I don’t have to justify anything to you. Get the eff out.”

  “Shit.”

  “I have dinner with Emily tonight, so I’m going to go. I suggest you go to the vineyard and apologize, Leash.”

  I wrinkle my nose, but I know he’s right.

  “I hate the taste of crow.”

  “Take a salt shaker.”

  ***

  I try to call Dom’s cell phone, but there’s no answer. In fact, it goes straight to voice mail.

  He’s so angry he shut off his phone?

  Shit.

  I pull into Dom’s driveway and walk inside without knocking.

  “Dom!” I poke my head into the playroom, the dining room, the kitchen.

  No luck.

  “Dom!”

  I’m walking briskly down the hallway to his office when Celeste sticks her head out, surprise written on her pretty face.

  “Alecia.”

  “Hey, is Dom in his office?”

  “No, I’m sorry.”

  “Oh.” I turn toward the back of the house. “Is he out in the barn?”

  “No, he’s on his way to Italy.”

  I blink and turn back to her, sure I’ve misheard her.

  “Excuse me?”

  “He’s on a plane, Alecia. He got called home.”

  This is his home.

  “When?”

  “Not long ago.”

  He’s on his way to Italy, and he didn’t tell me?

  “When will he be back?”

  “He didn’t know. It could be a few weeks. Maybe a month.”

  “He’s going to Italy for a month.” I sound like an idiot, repeating everything she’s saying, but I can’t help it.

  Italy is going to love you.

  “It could be less.”

  I nod and then shake my head, trying to clear it. He left for Italy without telling me.

  “Are you okay, dear?”

  “Oh, I’m fine.”

  “Do you want me to give him a message?”

  “No.” I shake my head and offer her a bright smile. “No message. Thanks.”

  I turn and walk as quickly as I can out of Dominic’s house, to my car, throw it in drive and speed away, barely feeling the tears running down my cheeks. I try to call his cell phone again, but it goes straight to voice mail.

  He’s on a motherfucking plane.

  I dial Blake’s number.

  “If you’re calling me, it didn’t go well.”

  “He’s going to Italy,” I reply, and hate the sound of tears in my voice.

  “Seriously?” Blake asks.

  “I can’t make this crap up. The going gets tough and he runs off to freaking Italy. He didn’t even stay and fight for me, Blake. What in the hell is up with that?”

  Blake is trying to talk, but I’m on a roll, angry and frustrated and so fucking hurt I don’t know what to do with myself.

  “I mean, am I that big of an idiot? Am I so unlovable that people can just leave me without so much as looking back?”

  “Alecia, stop. Take a breath.”

  I do as he says and wipe angrily at the tears on my cheeks.

  “He was supposed to take me to Italy with him, and instead, as soon as he thinks the very worst of me, he hops on a plane.”

  I can’t fucking believe it.

  “Alecia, I don’t think this has as much to do with Dominic as it does with you and your own issues.”

  “I don’t have issues,” I reply stubbornly.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you have more issues than any of the Real Housewife chicks.”

  “I’m going to tell Emily you watch that crap.”

  “Seriously, Alecia. You don’t know that Dom has abandoned you.”

  “People don’t stay in my life, Blake,” I reply softly. “They just don’t.”

  I end the call and stare blindly at the freeway as I drive home. There are no more tears, just stunned silence. I park and walk up to my condo, let myself in, and stare in disbelief at the shoes Dom gave me where I left them when I hurriedly toed them off to get ready for my run with Blake. I pace around the space, stare out the window at the ferry floating by, and then pace some more.

  People don’t stay in my life.

  And why don’t they? I never speak to my parents. My ex-husband walked away from our relationship with barely a look back.

  I’m tired of being disposable.

  You’re my treasure.

  God, he was a damn talented charmer, I’ll give him that.

  With my mind made up, I fish my phone out of my bag and dial Emily’s number.

  “Hey, boss.”

  “Hey,” I reply, putting a smile in my voice, and quite proud that my voice doesn’t shake. “I’ve had something come up. Would you mind taking over for me for the next week or so?”

  “Sure,” she replies, and I can hear the questions in her voice. “Is everything okay?”

  “Of course,” I lie. I just have to go have it out with my parents, which is long overdue. “I just have some personal things to see to.”

  “Okay. Don’t worry about anything.”

  I swallow the lump in my throat and take a deep, silent breath.

  “You’re the best. Thanks.”

  “No worries.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Gianna is fussing at the stove over our grandmother’s red sauce, humming under her breath, then pulls fresh bread out of the oven. I missed this kitchen. It makes me think of Nonna and laughter and home.

  Our grandfather updated this kitchen years ago, installing an industrial stove, oven and refrigerator, and Nonna made good use of it, always in the kitchen, always feeding someone.

  If we’d been smart, we would have bottled and sold her red sauce while she was alive, rather than wine. It most likely would have sold better.

  But she would have had none of it.

  I sip my wine, a pretty little Merlot that came from this land, and page through my cousin’s financials on her laptop one more time.

  “So, he was making withdrawals of more than ten thousand Euros at a time, and you didn’t notice? Come on, Gianna, I’m not stupid.”

  “He always had reasons,” she says, flailing her arms about as she paces the kitchen. I check the time, conscious that Liliana will be here soon, and I want this wrapped up before she arrives. “His car was broken. He had medical bills.”

  “Marco has never been sick a day in his life.”

  “Why would I question him?” she demands, her deep brown eyes on fire. “Why? He’s my brother, yes?”

  “You would question him because he’s done this before.”

  “But never like this!”

  I sigh and push my fingers through my hair. I’m still exhausted from jet lag, from being angry at Alecia. From worrying about this vineyard.

  “I’m going to go to the bank next week, Gianna. I’ll get you figured out. I’m still digging through your records, which are a mess by the way, and trying to figure out exactly how much he owes you.”

  “He’s not going to pay it back, Dominic.”

  “Oh yes,” I reply, my voice full of steel. “He will. And when I find him, I’m going to kick his ass.”

  “That’s not why I asked you here.”

  “Well, it’s happening anyway. You wanted my help, and you’re getting it.”

  She stops by the table, twisting the kitchen towel in her hands and finally wraps her arms around my shoulders and hugs me tightly. “Thank you for coming right away, Dom. Thank you for helping.”

  “You should have called me months ago.”

  “I thought it would stop. I thought maybe I could help him.”

  “He doesn’t want help, Gianna. That’s something you need to remember.”

  She smiles up at me sadly. “He’s my brother.”

  The doorbell rings and Gianna pulls away. “I’ll go get the door.”

>   I close the laptop and stow away the paperwork before Gianna leads Liliana into the kitchen, both chatting excitedly.

  “You’re here!” Liliana exclaims and launches herself into my arms, plants her lips on my cheek and clings to me.

  It very nearly turns my stomach.

  “I’m here,” I reply and pull her off of me and motion for her to sit at the table. “How are you, Liliana?”

  “Oh, I’m great.” She smiles, and I can’t help but take her in, from head to toe. She’s in stylish, brightly colored clothes that fit her long, lithe body like a glove. She’s always been thin, almost too thin.

  But her breasts are full and almost spill from her blouse.

  She’s had them done.

  Her lips are bright red, her skin pale and perfect. Her raven black hair spills around her shoulders in loose curls, and her blue eyes are bright as she watches me, her lips tipping up in a flirtatious smile.

  “I’ve missed you, Dominic.”

  I cock a brow. “Have you?”

  “Very much.” She leans over and grips my hand in hers, but I slowly lean back, out of her reach.

  I don’t want her touching me.

  Gianna serves dinner, and the two of them chat happily, gossiping about mutual friends, giving me a chance to watch Liliana.

  Was I ever really attracted to her? Of course I was, but the reasons why are a mystery to me. She obviously works very hard to make herself beautiful, and yet ironically, she’s incredibly unattractive.

  Being a cheating bitch will do that, I suppose.

  “Oh, Dom, do you remember that weekend trip we took to Rome? That last one when we got engaged?”

  I physically flinch before I can stop myself. Of course I remember the weekend trip to Rome.

  “What of it?”

  “Well, I was just there a few weeks ago, and that little bed and breakfast that we stayed in is for sale. Of course, I so longed to buy it, purely for sentimental value.” She bats her eyes at me. “You should buy it.”

  “Why in the hell would I do that?”

  “Because it’s our special place, of course.”

  Gianna frowns at Liliana, and then watches me warily. I set my fork down, lean on my elbows, and watch Liliana over the rim of my wine glass.

  “What’s your game, Lil?”

  “Game?” Her eyes go wide, innocently, and four years ago, I would have bought it hook, line and sinker. “There’s no game. That place is special to me. I would hate for someone to buy it and turn it into something horrible.”

  “Gianna,” I begin and stand, gesturing for Liliana to take my hand, which she does without hesitation. “I’m going to take Liliana outside to talk privately.”

  “Of course,” Gianna replies, and begins clearing the table. I try to pull my hand from Liliana’s, but she holds firm, smiling flirtatiously up at me, the way she used to do when she couldn’t wait to get me home and rock my world, as I lead her outside and around the side of the house on the wrap-around covered porch.

  “Thank goodness we’re alone at last,” she purrs and glides her hands up my chest, leaning into me, tipping her head back in invitation. “I’m so happy that you’re home, mi amore.”

  I back away from her touch and cross my hands over my chest. “I’m not your love, Liliana. I’m not anything to you.”

  “That’s not true.”

  I tilt my head to the side, watching her closely. “You fucked my cousin. The night before we were to get married.”

  Her lip quivers and tears spring to her eyes, but I don’t for one minute believe they’re genuine.

  Liliana is a master manipulator.

  “It was only cold feet.”

  “Or a cold heart,” I reply calmly.

  “I wish you would just forgive me, Dominic. It was a moment of weakness. It meant nothing at all.”

  I nod, considering her words. “Yes, Marco told me that you’d been fucking him for about three months. So, was that just a three month long moment of weakness then?”

  Her eyes narrow and lips firm. “Did you come here to reconcile or not?”

  “Not.” I drag my finger over my lips, considering her. “I came here because my cousin needed me.”

  “Then why did you invite me to dinner?” She props her hands on her slender hips and glares at me.

  “For a few reasons.” I rest my hip on the banister casually. “One, I’d like to know how much money you’ve talked Marco into giving you over the past six months.”

  She starts to speak, but I hold a hand up, stopping her.

  “I also wanted you to finally admit that you’d been fucking him since before I proposed to you. And I wanted to simply ask you why.”

  “Why what? Why does Marco give me money? Why was I fucking him?”

  “All of it.”

  She tosses her head back and laughs. Not the sexy, lovely laugh I once knew her to have, but a vindictive, malicious laugh that only makes her look more ugly.

  “Oh, come on, Dominic. You’re an adult. We had a good time together. The sex was spectacular, we made each other laugh.”

  “The sex was mediocre,” I correct her and smirk. Sex with Alecia was spectacular.

  “It was never about you,” she spits out. “As soon as I set foot on this vineyard when I came out here to take care of your mama, God rest her soul, I knew that I wanted it.”

  “You wanted the vineyard?” I ask incredulously. “For what? You’re a nurse.”

  I rack my brain, thinking back to those months when Liliana came here to care for my mama when she was dying, how compassionate she was.

  She’d been my rock during that time, and it was why I’d fallen in love with her.

  “I’m a damn good nurse, but do you honestly think that’s what I want to do forever? Watch people die?”

  “What do you want?”

  “I want money!” She shakes her head at me like I’m stupid. “You always talked of moving to America, starting over, and that wasn’t what I wanted. I love it here. Right here. And I knew Marco would never leave.”

  “So, you seduced him.”

  “And I still do,” she replies with a smug smile. “And he does pretty much whatever I tell him to.”

  “Including steal money from his sister,” I growl.

  “Hey, I’ve been asking Gianna to talk you into moving back home for a long time, Dominic. You were the one I wanted, but I wanted you here. And I wanted a claim on this vineyard.”

  “Have you forgotten that you’d signed a pre-nup, Lil?” I smirk, when her face pales and she glares at me. “And aside from that, Marco and I are not controlling owners in this vineyard. He and I only each own twenty-five percent. Gianna owns fifty percent. This is her vineyard.”

  “Well, then it’s a good thing I’ve kept the mindless twit as a friend all these years, isn’t it?”

  “You’re no friend of mine.”

  We both turn, shocked to find Gianna standing at the end of the porch, a bottle of wine in her hands, quivering with rage.

  “Gianna, bella, you misunderstood me.”

  “No, I didn’t.” Gianna shakes her head and sets the wine on the railing. “All this time, I thought you were in love with Dominic.” She turns her sweet eyes to Liliana and sighs. “I felt sorry for you.”

  “Well, that’s something we have in common,” Liliana replies coldly.

  “You’re going to need to get the fuck off my property now,” Gianna says, surprising us all with her language. Liliana turns to me in a huff.

  “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

  “Absolutely. Get the fuck out.”

  “Dom,” she begins, and softens her face into a soft, self-deprecating smile. “When your mama was dying, she told me that she hoped that you’d find a nice woman like me. She wanted us to be together.”

  “My mother didn’t know what you are, Liliana. I do. Get off of Gianna’s property before I have you arrested for trespassing.”

  Liliana glares at b
oth of us, then stomps inside for her purse and slams out the front door. Gianna and I watch each other quietly as we hear her car start and the tires squeal as she tears out of the driveway.

  “Are you okay, bella?” I ask her.

  She frowns and nods, but then her face crumbles and she shakes her head no. I cross to her and gather her close, rocking her back and forth as she cries.

  “I thought she was my friend.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry.”

  “I thought she loved you, and I felt sorry for her, and that’s why I always ask you to come home.”

  “I knew that too.”

  “God, she’s a bitch.”

  I chuckle and kiss her head, then lead her to the porch swing and help her dry her cheeks.

  “You knew all of it,” she says quietly. “You knew that she was helping Marco steal from me, and all the rest of it.”

  “I did.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I tilt my head and watch her quietly, and finally she sniffs and nods.

  “You tried. Right after it all happened, you tried, and I told you that you were imagining things and wouldn’t believe you.”

  “She was your friend.”

  “You’re my family,” she replies.

  I shrug and then nod, just as my phone rings in my pocket.

  “Hello, Celeste.”

  “Hi, Dominic. I’m placing the food order for the family reunion being held here next weekend, and I wanted to make sure that you don’t have anything to add to it.”

  “No, the last email I sent you is it. Check with Blake, though. He might have tweaked the menu a bit.”

  “Yes, sir. Oh, and did Alecia catch up with you the other day before you got to the airport?”

  I frown, ignoring Gianna’s look of surprise at Alecia’s name.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, she was looking for you. She didn’t leave a message, but it sounded important.”

  Of course it was important. I’d caught her with Blake.

  “Thanks, Celeste.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

  She clicks off and I shove my phone in my pocket.

  “Who’s Alecia?”

  “No one.” Everything.

  “What is it the American’s say? Oh yes, bullshit. Who is she?”

  I take a deep breath, and before I know what I’m doing, I’ve spilled everything to her. How I met her, how we came together, how much she means to me, all the way through to the day I was coming to Italy and I found out she’d been sleeping with her best friend.