CHAPTER 13 #2
“You be as crazy as you like, sweet pea, as long as you eat some breakfast too,” Terza told me, reminding me about the now cold plate before me.
“Sorry,” I told her. “The French toast is so good. Just the way I remember it,” I added, relieved when she beamed a smile my way.
I tucked in and ate what I’d put on my plate, partly because I didn’t want to offend Terza, and partly because it was too good to allow to go to waste.
I couldn’t remember the last time I ate anything so tasty.
“What are your plans now that you’re back, Cara? You’re nineteen, aren’t you?” Callan asked once we were all seated and eating once again.
“Yep. I’ll be twenty in a couple of months,” I confirmed. “And as for plans, a job, I guess? I’ll have to update my C.V. Is there somewhere I could look online at job listings?” I asked looking to Rafe.
“I’ll set you up with a laptop as soon as possible, sweetheart, but you can’t get a job right now.
There’s too much danger surrounding us with what happened in Chicago, and the issues I’m having here with one of my so called partners.
Any job you got would mean Arran, Dante, or both of them being with you, and no workplace would be happy with that. I’m sorry.”
“I understand,” I told him, not wanting him to feel bad. It made sense I needed to be cautious after those assholes who had hurt and tried to kidnap me from Jewels. Just because we were in London, didn’t automatically mean that the people they had worked for, wouldn’t try again.
“Have you thought about a degree? University? I attend one not far from here, and they’re fine with me bringing security. Maybe you could consider taking a course that interests you?” Callan suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea, Cara. You have no need to work now that you live here with us. Maybe you could train to do something that truly interests you,” Rafe agreed.
“I have no idea what interests me,” I shrugged.
“But…I wouldn’t mind taking my GED. I never finished high school and I…
I’d have more opportunities if I could get that,” I admitted.
I hated to show how stupid I truly was, but the idea of actually achieving a high school diploma was exciting to me.
It had never been a possibility before, but maybe it could be now.
“Why didn’t you finish high school?” Dante asked, and I smiled at him and his directness. It was refreshing and I liked it. He didn’t seem to hold back any of what he was thinking.
“I had to work. Our Mum was sick, and she couldn’t, so I had little choice. A roof over your head is a lot more important than understanding Shakespeare,” I joked, trying to make light of things.
“I don’t know what a GED equates to over here, but I can look into it. Maybe see if it would be possible for you to take some high school level courses at one of the local colleges. I’m pretty sure they would teach GCSE classes,” Callan spoke up.
“How does that sound?” Rafe asked me.
“Good. Thanks Callan. I think it would be an effective use of my time if I can’t work right now,” I agreed.
“I’ll start looking into it right away. Hopefully, you might be able to start in the January term if we can get it set up in time,” Callan told me enthusiastically.
“Arran texted me something about you wanting to train with us too?” Dio asked.
“Yeah. I know the basics, but I’d like to learn more if you have the time,” I agreed.
“Not a problem. We have a full gym in the basement level, so we can work down there. There’s a pool too, if you ever just feel like taking a workout or a dip.”
“That sounds great,” I agreed again. I found something about exercise therapeutic for my anxiety, not that I’d ever had much chance to do it before. Now I had the time and the equipment, I intended to take advantage.
“Cara will need to go shopping today. I’d take her, but I have that meeting for the St. Kits project, and I’m reluctant to cancel,” Rafe said, looking to Dio as he spoke.
“Rafe, honestly, I don’t need anything. I can live with what I have.”
“No. You need warmer clothes. I want to make sure you’re comfortable here,” Rafe argued.
“I’ll take her. Make sure she gets everything too,” Dante said, but it sounded more like a threat than an offer, and I found myself looking to Callan with a gulp.
“I’ll come too,” he instantly spoke up, as a smile filled his face so easily.
“Appreciate it. Make sure you take a team with you. I’m not taking any risks until I speak with Kozlov and get this mess cleaned up,” Rafe explained.
“Kozlov? Is that who…did he have Mum killed?” I asked, only slightly shakily.
“I don’t know right now. The Kozlov’s are the family causing me grief here, and they could be behind Mum’s death and the attack on you too, but it seems unlikely.
They’re not really powerful enough to have American connections, and you were sure the men who attacked you had American accents, weren’t you? ”
“Definitely. I saw that tattoo too. I could try and draw it for you?” I offered.
“That would help if you could do that and give it to me, please Cara,” Dio agreed and I nodded.
I was by no means an artist, but I’d do my best to draw it out as I had seen it on that fucker’s arm.
It wouldn’t catch him, since Dio had beaten him to death, but maybe it would be a clue about who sent them.
“I’ll get it to you later,” I agreed.
“I’m back on a flight to Chicago later today, but just text me a picture of the image, please,” he told me.
“Back to Chicago? Why?” I questioned.
“The original plan was for me to stay there when you and Rafe returned home, but after everything…well, plans changed. Now I want to go back and do some investigation into what happened to your Mum, see if we can get any leads as to who was behind the murder, and the attack on you. I won’t be gone for long,” Dio assured me.
“You shouldn’t go alone.”
“Are you worried about me, Piccola?” he chuckled.
“Rafe? Dio’s not going over there alone, is he?” I asked my brother instead.
“No. He’s taking some of our men with him. He’ll be covered,” Rafe assured me.
“Just…be careful, okay? Those men…what they did to Mum…”I floundered as an image of my mother’s body flashed through my mind unbidden.
“Cara?” A warm hand covered mine on the counter, and when I lifted my head, I realised Dio had placed his hand over mine. “I’ll be very careful. I always am, and I’ll be back before you know it, okay? No worrying about me.”
“Dio can text you so you know he’s alright, while he’s away, sweetheart,” Rafe told me.
“Dante, can you make sure Cara gets a phone and laptop while you’re out.
The phone’s top priority right now if you don’t have time to get everything,” Rafe requested.
I opened my mouth to argue with him, but his look shut me down, and I couldn’t say I wasn’t soothed by the idea of Dio texting me to assure me he was still alive.
Rafe looked like he needed me to have the device too.
Needed not wanted. He looked worried and stressed out, and I didn’t want to add to any of it.
If me having a phone made him feel better, I’d give him that.
“Rafe’s right. Send me your new number and I’ll keep in touch, okay?” Dio agreed, and I nodded.
“I know you have a meeting today, Rafe, but please try to find some time to rest. You look exhausted,” I asked of him.
“Are you going to be alright with Dante and Callan?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said confidently.
“We’ll take care of her, and if she needs you, she can use my cell to call you anytime she wants to,” Callan added, and I was grateful for the backup.
“I’m tougher than I look, Rafe. You don’t need to worry so much,” I reassured him.
“I can’t help it. I’m terrified of losing you again,” he confessed quietly. His deep soulful eyes met mine and they were filled with fear and pleading.
“I’m trying, Rafe,” I whispered as I put my hand over his again on the counter. “Right now I feel positive about things, so that has to be good, right?”
“Yes, Tesorino. That’s good.” he agreed.
He wrapped his free hand around the back of my neck and pulled me close enough that he could kiss my temple softly.
“I’m so proud of you right now,” he added and it completely choked me up.
He made me want to do better for him, if for nothing else.
He made me want to do more than simply finding some will not to want to kill myself, for him to be proud of.