17. Stephanie
SEVENTEEN
STEPHANIE
It’d been three weeks since Rocco Di Angelo had been to Miceli’s house.
Every day that went by without a phone call or text from the agent put me on edge.
I couldn’t take it anymore. If he was supposed to fix our lives, he could have at least kept us in the loop.
I sighed for the fourth time while waiting for Rocca to finish up her last tests for the year.
Miceli and I had broken the truth to her a few days after Rocco left, knowing full well once the news broke about my parents’ case, she’d probably hate me.
Obviously, she’d hate me either way because I shouldn’t have lied to her or Miceli.
I manipulated both of their lives to seek shelter, even temporary, and protection.
I went into the entire plan with a selfish mindset.
Some people might say I was justified. Other could say I was a gold digger.
Whatever the case, I’d rather have a clear conscious than faked relationships.
I’d been thankful when Rocca accepted my apology.
I gave her space to be mad, if that’s how she felt.
Then I’d let her come to me when she was ready.
No way in hell I’d force an impressionable girl to forgive me or think my actions were okay.
They weren’t. The only excuse I had was I wanted to be safe.
Wanting Kyle to be safe as well. Now, it was as if the strain between us vanished.
I didn’t deserve her compassion. I appreciated it though. More than I could ever say.
“Done,” Rocca muttered, sagging into her seat with an exaggerated exhale. “It’s officially summer.”
“What do you want to do with your time off?” I closed her laptop and put the device aside. “You have a hundred and four days to do whatever you want.”
She twisted her face into a curious look, then laughed. “Did you just quote Phineas and Ferb ?”
“Maybe.” I winked. “Agent P is the man.”
Rocca’s peal of laughter lightened some of the angst filling the pit of my stomach. I wanted everything over so we could all go back to our normal lives, including Rocca, who deserved to see her friends and spend time out of the house. “We could go swimming.”
“I’d like that,” I said. “It would be nice to relax by a pool again.”
“Maybe take a trip with Daddy,” she whispered, almost like she was afraid to voice her idea.
“That would be an even better idea,” I agreed. “Whatever it is you want to do, let’s see if we can do it all—within reason, of course.”
“I’d like that, a lot.” Rocca stood, then stretched before exiting her room.
Once I cleaned up her desk and belongings for school, I left her space, closing the door behind me.
Since the day Rocco had arrived, I’d been sleeping with Miceli in his bed.
Our relationship, though we never really defined it as much, kind of just grew every day.
I promised myself once we were all safe, I’d tell him the truth about my feelings.
There’d been a niggle of worry he wouldn’t reciprocate, after everything he’d been through, but I held onto hope he loved me as much as I loved him.
“Rocco called,” Miceli said, coming up beside me. “We should talk.”
I followed him to his office where Kyle was already waiting, along with Benny and Robbie. My hands trembled from nerves. My heart fluttered. I had to know the truth, even if I dreaded hearing it. What was the next move? I sat in the empty chair, needing that space, just so I could think.
Okay, worst-case scenario, Rocco couldn’t do anything because no one believed him.
Best case, he was believed, and now Kyle and I had to reintroduce ourselves to the world.
Neither option was good. Yes, if things worked out as I hoped they would, we could reclaim our lives.
If not, well, Collins Attwood had a nice ring to it.
“Give it to me straight. I don’t want any placation or hand holding or anything. Just the words, Miceli,” I said, my jangled nerves keeping me from sitting still.
“As you wish,” he said. “Rocco called. The FBI is scheduling a press conference for some time soon. It appears Stephanie Hollis and Kyle Hollis are still alive.”
The way the statement passed his lips teased me and relax some of my worry, instead a rush of fear swamped me.
If they were calling a press conference, did that mean I had to say something publicly?
Would Kyle? What else would be expected of us?
Would we get our home back? Maybe our trust funds?
Not that I particularly cared about the money, more so, I wanted to be sure Kyle could go to college.
“That’s... A good thing,” I said, trying to pick the right words. “It means someone believes us.”
Miceli grunted. “Yes. It also means they are also going to push to reopen Rosalina’s case as well.”
“Good,” I said. “That’s amazing. I’m happy for you. Both of you deserve the closure. I’m sure she’ll be glad too.”
Benny and Robbie frowned. “Aren’t you happy, Princess?” Robbie gave me a strange look. Like, I’d grown two heads or something equally grotesque.
Honestly, I didn’t know how I felt. I was grateful to Rocco.
If he could convince someone to go back to my family home and find the evidence needed to put Alphonso Tripoli or whoever killed my parents away, then I’d be there every step of the way.
However, I wouldn’t say I was ecstatic. Showing my face to the world left me and Kyle vulnerable.
If we went public and those responsible weren’t arrested, I would bring trouble back to Miceli’s doorstep.
I couldn’t do that. Not after how kind and generous he’d been to us.
“You’re worried about what happens next,” Miceli said. “I can’t say I blame you. I know this; Rocco won’t do anything publicly without those responsible being in jail first. So, even with this announcement, it might take some time before you and Kyle can have your lives back.”
I relaxed a little then. I could handle being dead for a few more weeks. Maybe by then, Kyle and I would be a little stronger. A little more comfortable with the idea of re-entering the world as ourselves and not some fictitious person. “I like the idea of having more time.”
“As do I,” Miceli agreed. “Until then, we’re doubling security.
You and Kyle will stay with us in the main house.
If you need anything, order it and Robbie or Benny will go get it for you.
If anything should happen and we are under attack,” he pointed to the bookcase to his right, the one I’d stared at several times over the last few months, curious about the books contained there, “20,000 Leagues is the lever. Behind the case is a panic room. Go there and don’t come out until police arrive. ”
Trepidation added to the mix of nerves and fear. If Miceli was telling me where to run, did he already know something might happen? Shouldn’t we all be worried? “I’ll remember.”
“Also,” Miceli said, “FBI agents will be here to take statements from all of us. Rocco will be with them. Answer their questions as honestly as you can. I’ll deal with the rest.”
Statements? I didn’t agree with that. “Miceli, I?—”
“You’ll be fine,” he reassured. “This new team comprises agents only Rocco approves of. No one else. I swear it.”
I didn’t want Miceli to swear anything. “I feel like everything is happening so fast.”
“As do I,” he agreed. “Robbie will go with you to the cottage to grab as much of your belongings as you wish to bring here, then we’ll instruct Mrs. Petry on what we’d like for dinner.”
The subtle way he slipped between the criminal world and domesticated home life was effortless.
I envied him because right now, food was the last thing on my mind.
I was afraid I’d puke it all up because I’d been so scared.
When we broke apart, I followed Kyle to the cottage like we were told and gathered up as much of my clothes and things as I wanted.
At some point, the cottage had become a home for me.
Being in the space had healed me more than even rest. I’d felt safe there.
Been at peace. For the last few months, I’d relearned how to relax and enjoy myself.
Minus, of course, the little run-in at the shopping center.
That I’d chalk up to me being stupid, arrogant, and beyond out of my mind, paranoid.
I promised myself after that, I wouldn’t make any more rash decisions.
So far, I hadn’t.
After Miceli called the impromptu meeting, we’d all settled into a routine.
The summer passed in a slow, gentle flow of time.
Rocca and I spent as much time by the pool as we could while Kyle continued with his training while also picking up other skills I wasn’t sure I wanted him to have, though I also knew it had to do with feeling guilty he couldn’t protect me or himself better.
When this was over, I’d make sure he talked with a therapist. He needed to confine in someone other than me and other than the men in the estate.
By the time August rolled around, I became a little disillusioned by the process.
We were stuck in limbo. The stress was taking a toll on everyone and all we wanted was answers.
The more I thought about our situation, the more I wanted to walk away from everyone and everything and let chance determined what happened next.
I was caged, fighting for my life. Then Miceli would wrap me in his arms at night and all of those fears and anxieties would drift away.