Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Knocked For Six
Chiara
“Evie!” I call out, walking into Johnny’s.
Today we’re meeting bright and early because I’ve got a nighttime shoot.
I would have much preferred to finish what Raf started before Sophia’s phone call, but Arty’s trial has been all-consuming, and now is not the time to be a selfish brat.
He was pensive on the ride over. I didn’t push him to talk.
I just let him contemplate in the comfortable silence, his hand on my thigh, stroking his thumb up and down, mine wrapped around the back of his neck, running my nails through the hair at the nape.
I kissed him hard before I got out of the car, and because he’s utterly ridiculous about my safety he made me promise to video call him as soon as I was inside with Evie.
Now that I feel certain Alessandro has probably left New York and Raf won’t do anything stupid to endanger himself in my honor, I’m going to find the right time after the stress of the trial is over to tell him about Alessandro cornering me at the studios.
I don’t want any lies between us. I want forever with him.
I’m now trying to find Evie so I can video call him to show I am indeed safe and sound.
“Over here, babe,” she calls out, breathless from the ring at the far back.
I dial Raf’s number and his face fills the screen.
“Hi, is Evie there?”
“Yes, babe. She’s right here,” I say, switching the camera view so he can see her complete a punch-kick combo.
“Evie, please confirm for my overprotective hu—” I quickly catch myself, and Evie stops punching to glance at me quizzically. “Housemate, Raf, that I am here with you.” When I reach her, she leans into the screen and waves.
“Hi, Raf! Your girl is safe and sound,” she says, smiling at him, glowing from exertion. “The navy suit looks good with the red tie.” She winks, like they have an inside joke. “Good luck today. Tell Sophia too.”
“Thanks, Evie,” he responds before I switch the camera back to me.
“Satisfied she’s not an imposter?”
“Yes. Mission complete,” he says before he checks with me again. “And Avery’s going to see you there, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Now, go put a bad guy in jail,” I say, blowing him a kiss. “See you later tonight.”
“Counting down already,” he responds sincerely before ending the call.
“Well that was cute,” Evie says with a grin. “Protective Raf is a revelation.”
“Everything about Raf is a revelation,” I admit honestly.
“You think it’s love?” asks Evie.
“Whoa, way to ease a girl in,” I say as I wrap my hands.
“Chi, please! You’ve run at that man like a bull at the gate since the moment you laid eyes on him.”
“Yeah, I know. But throwing around the L word after just months is red flag material. I don’t want him to run in the other direction.”
Even if technically he’s my husband and we have matching tattoos, is what I don’t add.
It sounds ridiculous to my own ears, but I know better than to become too complacent.
The only thing all my experiences with love and loss have taught me is that when things feel too good, it’s a reminder to be extra vigilant of the things you can’t see in the shadows.
I hear my therapist’s questions like a voiceover. “Chiara, is that a fatalist mindset or a growth mindset? How can we reframe your previous experience with relationships? What did it teach you? How can it help you identify your expectations from future partners and relationships?”
“Okay, enough daydreaming girlie. Glove up and let’s run through all those self-defense moves we’ve been working on. Then we’ll take turns on the bag.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a drill sergeant?” I gripe.
“Maybe once or twice,” she says. “But I’ve got nothing on Seb. That man has no mercy.”
“Girl, if I didn’t have a Daddy Raf kink, you bet I’d be down for a drilling from sexy Sargent Seb.” I stand facing her. “Be straight with me. He puts you through the paces so good, doesn’t he.”
“Chiara! You’re out of control,” she says, cheeks pink, and not from exertion of the workout.
“Hmmm. That’s not a no. I’ll get those secrets outta ya one day, Evie girl.”
I can tell she’s not going to crack; she plays her cards close when it comes to Seb. It’s obvious there’s chemistry between them. Seb’s eyes never leave her when she’s in his line of sight. But who am I to strong-arm her into spilling her secrets when I have my own.
We’ve been running drills for about forty-five minutes when my phone starts chiming from the side of the ring.
I dash over, secretly hoping it might be Raf again. I think I am in fact lovesick.
It’s not him. Instead Nina the Cleaner flashes on the screen.
“Hi, Nina, everything okay…Oh. Really? Raf didn’t mention it…No, no it’s okay. I’ll come home now…No, don’t disturb Raf. He’s got a big day in court…Yes. Just ask them to wait and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“What’s going on?” asks Evie.
“Someone from the utility company turned up. Apparently an electrical line was accidentally cut and they have to check service. Sorry, Coach. I’ve gotta go.”
“All good. Is Avery here?”
“He wasn’t due to be here for another thirty minutes. I’ll just jump in an Uber and message him to meet me back at Raf’s. I don’t really want to keep the utility people waiting.”
“You want me to come with you?”
“No! What for? I am literally getting in an Uber and going straight home,” I say, tapping my details into the app. “Besides, Nina’s there. I won’t be alone.”
She eyes me nervously. “You sure?”
“Positive!” I give her a sweaty hug. “Let’s see if we can organize a girls’ night in the next few weeks. Discuss bachelorette party details. The wedding is only two and a half months away!”
“We all fly out two weeks earlier, so it’s even less than that, really.”
“God, I am so excited! Okay. My driver Tom Jones is here,” I say with a giggle. “See ya soon, girlfriend.”
Exactly twenty minutes later, I arrive home.
The utility company van is still parked out front, so the worker must’ve been okay to wait for me.
The windows are blacked out so I didn’t see if someone was sitting inside.
I notice a big cleaner’s trolley like ones they push around in malls by the front door.
Must be Nina’s. Kinda feels a bit excessive for a house clean, but who am I to judge?
I’m the lucky bitch who gets to live in a house that gets deep-cleaned weekly.
I enter the code to open the door and walk in. I still haven’t heard back from Avery, which is strange. Hopefully it’s because he’s otherwise occupied between the sheets. He works too hard and deserves to let off some steam. Whoever wins that man’s heart is going to be one very lucky girl.
I drop my bag in the kitchen and call out.
“Nina, I’m home.”
There’s no answer.
I continue walking through the house, making my way down the hallway towards the main living area.
I hear the buzz of the vacuum cleaner. She probably can’t hear me.
She knows better than to let any strangers into Raf’s house.
He’s notoriously private and likes to vet any external companies of individuals not known to him before they’re allowed into the house.
Arty’s trial has been all-consuming, though, so it’s likely it’s just slipped his mind.
Maybe I should just shoot him a text, I think as I step towards the main living area.
Just as I decide to act on my intuition, a strong arm wraps around my torso like a vice. I instantly go to scream, but my mouth and nose are smothered with a rag.
A pungent smell of chemicals fills my nose.
I try to thrash, but my body feels like it weighs a thousand pounds.
I try to scream again, but it’s useless. I can feel my body going limp. My eyes are heavy. I know it’s daytime, but the light is quickly fading to black.
My last thought before the darkness opens its arms and takes me is Raf and the three words I never got a chance to say.
Unfortunately, the very last voice I hear is not his.
“Yes, Bella Mia. You’re finally home.”