Chapter 7
SEVEN
balthazar
After we spend some time straightening the house enough to get through a few days, I excuse myself to the bathroom, my business phone in tow, to check if I’ve received any more messages. I’ve already had it looked at to make sure there’s no tracking on it so I could rest easy turning it on.
As it powers up, I lean on the vanity, bracing myself for what might come through. The bathroom is a little tight for two people, and I think it’s the only one in the cottage, but it’s fine. A little musty from lack of use, but we’ll bring some life back into it.
The phone beeps in my hand and I silence it, swiping to open the text messages. Sure enough, there’s one from the man himself.
Vin: Where the fuck are you, Money Man?
Vin: I swear to fucking god if you took off I’ll cut your balls off and keep them on my bookcase.
A shiver moves down my spine. He’s serious about that threat.
Vin: Where’s my money, asshole?
I don’t know if messaging him back to tell him something or just going radio silent would be better.
Vin: You know what, Money? I’mma give you a pass. Let’s have a meeting and clear up the misunderstanding. Just you and me.
I laugh at that. Does he think I’m a fucking idiot? Vin doesn’t go anywhere alone, nor should
he. I read over the texts again, wondering how or if I should respond. Maybe if I don’t, he’ll think I’m dead or something. That’s what I should’ve done, faked my death, but Vin needs a body or he wouldn’t buy it.
I turn the phone off, deciding silence is best. If he’d do a little more research instead of hunting me down, he’d figure out the rumors aren’t true. Not entirely, anyway. The longer he can’t find me, the better chance I have that he’ll do just that, and then I’ll be off the hook.
I flush the toilet and wash my hands to make it seem like I used it then step out into the hallway. I can hear Deo humming a song from the bedroom, so I walk that way, finding him dancing to the beat of the song in his head as he puts clothes in the dresser.
He turns around, gasping and putting his hand on his chest as I startle him. “Balt.”
“Sorry. I was just watching you.”
“Like what you see?”
“I sure do.”
He smiles, patting my chest as he saunters past me to the bed, where one of his suitcases is open. “I left two drawers open for you. Is that enough?”
I nod, leaning against the edge of the bed next to him. “I don’t have much that goes in drawers. Actually, I need to buy some casual clothes. Anywhere we can do that?”
“Sure. We can go into Madison.”
“Great. This is all I have, and I had to buy it to travel.”
“What do you normally wear?”
“Suits.”
“What about when you’re just hanging out at home?”
“Suits.”
Deo cocks his head. “Isn’t that uncomfortable?”
“I’m uncomfortable in this getup. I don’t think I’ve worn a hoodie since I was in my teens.”
“It’s definitely not fancy enough around here for a suit. We’ll put a shopping trip on the list for this week.”
“Thanks.”
He nods, glancing at me as he removes a couple of shirts from his luggage. “And you sleep naked?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you still going to during this… whatever it is?”
“Unless you find it offensive.”
Deo shakes his head. “Definitely not.”
“Good. I suggest you sleep however you’re most comfortable too.”
“Any suggestions on how we can entertain ourselves out here in the middle of nowhere?”
“I can think of a few things.” I reach for him, using my hand on his hip to guide him over between my legs. “I want to thank you again for letting me stay with you.”
Deo smiles, searching my eyes as he brushes his fingers along the edge of my jaw. “I’ve made worse decisions.”
Chuckling, I nod. “Me too.”
I release him and turn my attention to unpacking my own bag. I only took enough with me to get by for a few weeks, unsure how long I’d have to stay away to get things to calm down, so shopping is a necessity. Especially staying here. I’d stick out like a sore thumb in my expensive tailored suits.
Deo’s family seems nice enough, and accepting, but his comments about their nosiness play on repeat in my head.
I don’t want to lie to them, but I almost have no choice.
The less they know about my real life, the safer they are.
I have to stay alert and make sure I can’t be traced here.
I’d never forgive myself if something happened to Deo and his family.
After unpacking and getting settled, we sit on the couch in the living room as Deo digs through the bag of snacks his mom gave us.
“Apples, oranges, some granola bars. Chips. Any of that sound tempting?”
“I’ll take chips.”
Deo hands me a snack-size bag of potato chips while he munches on an apple.
“So if I know my mom, and I do, she’s probably planning some grand dinner and calling my brothers.”
“Fair. The prodigal son has returned.”
Deo snorts a laugh, shaking his head. “I guess.”
“How do you feel now? Better, I hope?”
“Better.” He bites his apple and chews thoughtfully for a moment. “But we haven’t dug into anything yet, so it’s hard to say what will happen next.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad. They’re happy to see you.”
“Yeah, they are.”
We both turn at the sound of knocking, then the door swings open and a short, petite woman with silver hair barges in, looking around. When her eyes land on Deo, her smile grows.
“Nipote. You’re home.”
Deo pops up, hurrying over to the woman and throwing his arms around her. “Hi, Nonna.”
She kisses his cheeks rapidly several times as he laughs. My heart flutters in my chest watching the scene. She reminds me so much of my own nonna, may she rest in peace.
“Who is this handsome fella?” she asks, turning her warm gaze to me. Her eyes still sparkle with youth and happiness.
“This is my guy, Nonna. Balt.”
“Balt,” she repeats. “Is that your real name?”
“Nonna,” Deo complains, but I smile.
“Balthazar.”
“Hmm. I thought your parents were unique. Balt it is. How old are you?”
“Geez, Nonna. Interrogate the guy, why don’t ya?”
“Forty-one, ma’am.”
“Call me Nonna.” She looks me up and down with discerning eyes. “Less than ten years age gap is okay. You’re Italian?”
“Yes. First generation.”
“Where are your people from?”
“Florence and the Bologna area.”
“Northerners. Hmm. Well don’t think that holds any value here. We’re good folks too.”
Oh yes, she definitely reminds me of my own nonna.
“Nonna, come on. He’s not like that,” Deo says.
“As far as I’m concerned, we’re all family. North or south doesn’t matter,” I tell her.
She wrinkles her nose, but a big grin spreads across her face. Her youthful beauty is still present in her features, and she’s got that spitfire Italian blood in her veins.
“I’m teasing ya. Come here.”
I step forward and the small woman wraps her arms around me in a much stronger than anticipated hug.
“Welcome to the family.”
Guilt fills my chest, but I nod and smile, briefly glancing at Deo, who’s chewing on his bottom lip, likely processing the same thoughts and feelings I am.
“Thank you, Nonna.”
“I’ll get out of your hair.” She heads towards the door. “We’ll walk in the garden tomorrow morning, and you can tell me everything.”
I’m sure that comment was directed at Deo—at least, I hope it was. The less I get to know his family, the easier it’ll be when I have to leave. On her way out, she pinches Deo’s cheek.
“Your cousin is mad you didn’t call. They’ll be at dinner.”
Deo scrunches his nose. “I wanted it to be a surprise and Brogan has a big mouth.”
Nonna laughs. “Isn’t that the truth.”
She steps outside and hops onto a golf cart. I stand behind Deo and we both wave as she tears off towards the main house.
“She’s a feisty one, huh?”
Deo nods. “And hasn’t softened with age one bit. She’s pretty awesome.”
“I can tell.”
After closing the door, Deo turns to me and pats my chest. “We should chill and enjoy the silence while it lasts. They’ll be all over us by tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
We return to the couch, and as we sit, Deo’s cushion sinks and he slides right next to me. I drape my arm around his shoulders to give him room, and he gazes up at me with his pretty eyes.
“I think it helps that you’re Italian too. You know what to expect.”
I chuckle. “They don’t scare me.”
“That’s good.”
“Am I being a good boyfriend so far?”
He nods. “Just be yourself. My nonna can sniff out a fake a mile away.”
That’s not great news, but as long as we don’t talk about my work, I should be okay.
“No problem.”
“How about some trash TV before dinner?”
A distraction sounds great. “I’m in.”