Chapter 22 #2
She’d barely had any of her drink, merely holding the glass in her hand.
“You know what’s funny? When I was a little girl, I adored the rain.
We’d have summer storms and I’d run outside dancing in the puddles.
I didn’t care if mud got all over me or my clothes.
My free spirit drove my mother crazy. She tried so hard to keep me from doing that, but I loved the way the drops of rain tickled my skin.
I used to spin and spin, throwing my arms out with my face pointed toward the sky.
I’d laugh and stick my tongue out, telling my mother the raindrops were sweet and magical. ”
“Magical, huh?”
At least her laugh was genuine, not hollow as mine might be if I’d gone through what she had. “I thought for certain when it rained that God was allowing his fairies to fall to Earth to protect good little girls.”
“You mean angels?”
She casually tossed me a look. “I mean fairies. I was very much into reading fantasy stories at the time. The way they were allowed to wear beautiful colors in iridescent shades. My mother would be forced to come outside and physically get me. Then we both needed a warm shower. She’d wrap me up in a huge terry towel and if I was still chilly, she’d make me homemade cocoa.
I remember asking her when I was eighteen or so why she never punished me for disobeying her. Do you want to know her answer?”
“Absolutely.”
“She said that it was the only time when I allowed myself to be a child. She’d told me I’d been born older. Sometimes I think she was right.”
“Are you close with her still?” I asked.
There were no shadows capable of hiding the sorrow that crossed her face. “My parents died in a car accident not that long ago. I was devastated. They were my rock when everything went wrong as a child.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“The night they died it was raining. That’s why my father missed a turn and ran into a tree.
” When the first drops of rain hit the railing, she held her breath for a few seconds.
“At least I’m lucky and have amazing memories with my parents.
I don’t think that many children do any longer. I’m going to make certain Bella does.”
“Does she know about her father?” Maybe my question was ill-timed, but I also did need to know if he was in the picture. That could alter how I handled my plans with our boy the Undertaker.
“No, and if I have my way she will never learn his identity. Bruno was the biggest mistake of my life. My parents tried to warn me he was no good. Hell, all my friends did, but I was attracted to the bad boy. For a couple years, I was blinded by him since he showered me with gifts and fancy dinners. I was so young and so freaking na?ve I had no clue where he had so much money to purchase lavish gifts. Believe it or not, I didn’t fully embrace that he was a criminal until I’d sold all my belongings to move down here with him.
God. They need to have a lesson in keeping you away from bad men. ”
“Maybe so.”
“The last night I allowed him in my life was one of the worst. I found proof he’d been with at least two other women and I was so angry.
Furious with him. I let him have it. He’d been drinking.
We argued. The next thing I knew he was punching me in the face.
Over and over again. On that night, it was also raining. ”
“Motherfucker.” I fisted one hand. If I ever ran into the bastard, he would be taught the same lesson as the other four assholes.
“I picked myself up, changed the locks, filed a restraining order, and never told him I was pregnant. He disappeared anyway. For all I know, he could be in Kansas. I just don’t care.”
I took a sip of my drink. Now wouldn’t be the opportune time to mention Bruno was back in town. Keeping the information from her might come back to bite me, but I refused. Just something else to keep her frightened.
She brought the glass to her lips, darting her eyes in my direction. “I think that’s why I was drawn to you in the beginning. I’d finally found a way out of my bad boy phase and you were the epitome of everything that was decent in a man.”
Decent. I took a deep breath. Maybe she didn’t understand what I’d done or didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t the nice guy she thought I was. Right now wasn’t the time to burst her bubble with either my thoughts or plans. “Just remember that some people have two sides.”
The fact she found what I’d said funny, laughing in such a way I wondered if she was close to hysteria surprised me. “You were the one who told me certain people are pure evil. I don’t think that affords them any concept of having a decent side.”
“Maybe not with everyone. But with some.”
Her sigh was subtle and sexy as she scooted on the seat, turning toward me. “So, are you trying to tell me that you have a dangerous side under that masculine, strong, and protector stance?”
“I’m trying to tell you that I don’t like anyone being taken advantage of and will do what’s necessary to keep them safe.”
The way she looked at me, the fierceness in her eyes and the extraordinary resolve was as beautiful as everything else about her. The rain continued to fall.
“Would you believe Bruno contacted me the other night?”
“What?” I leaned forward. “How?”
“I don’t know. He had my number. I blocked him after his call.”
“What did he want?” I gritted out.
She shook her head. “I could swear he was trying to warn me. How strange is that?”
“He’s working with Delgado.” Maybe I was too blunt, but she needed to know.
Her mouth twisted the same way her fingers were doing around her glass.
“The night Jacob Jones took the life of someone I didn’t even know it was raining.
When I saw him outside my building the other night it was raining.
Every bad memory, every horrible experience occurred when it was raining.
Even tonight, the rain started just before I knew you were alive.
Every single time. Rain. I don’t know if that’s fate.
Why? I know it sounds crazy, but as a child, I thought the rain brought good luck.
If something made the flowers grow and gave the birds and wild animals water, then it had to be good magic.
Right? What happened? Did Mother Nature curse me?
Did I do something horrible in my life, so she’d hate me? ”
“You could do nothing horrible in your life.”
“Now I get to say you’re the one who doesn’t know me. I’ve done plenty of horrible things.”
“Name one.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re going to need to trust me.”
“I do trust you, Valentina. The question is do you trust me?”
“Of course I do. What you’ve done for me and my daughter, the kindness you’ve shown and well… the other things too have been… Incredible.” She laughed as if embarrassed.
I’d seen victims begin to spiral even when protected in court. The signs were clear. She’d gone from witness to victim and her mind was finally catching up to the reality of what we were both facing. I had to pull her back to a safe place.
“Other things, huh. Well, if you trust me then give me your hand.”
“Why?”
“You doubt me now? Do you think I’d ever steer you into danger or something that you couldn’t handle?” When she didn’t answer right away, I took the drink from her hand, placing both on the table. As I stood, I held out my hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to create a new and better memory in the rain. But only if you fully trust me.”
Valentina glanced at my hand for a few seconds before grasping my fingers, allowing me to pull her to a standing position.
When I tugged her against me, she finally smiled for the first time since the fire. “As I told you. I do trust you. Completely and without question.”
“I’ll remember you said that.” The deck was oversized, covering the entire length of the back of the house. The porch roof on a portion allowed guests to stay dry while still enjoying the outside. I kept her in my arms, rubbing my hand down her back.
When I started moving back and forth, she pushed her hand against my chest. “What are you doing?”
“As I said, creating decent memories to break the curse.”
“And just how to you plan on doing that?”
I continued moving her from side to side, my dancing skills leaving much to be desired, but she didn’t seem to mind. When I twirled her, the sound of her laughter was sweet music. I brought her close once again, this time more forcefully before dipping her low and slow.
Every sound she made, the soft moans and sweet whimpers fueled the desire just below the surface. As I brought her upright again, our lips were almost touching. Her breathing was irregular and she slipped her arm over my shoulder, tangling her long fingers in my hair.
There were no words that needed to be said. Not for this.
I captured her mouth, holding our lips close together, doing nothing more than enjoying having her in my arms.
She darted her tongue inside as if tasting me for the first time. Even the way she was arching her back was subtle, almost sweet and I was reminded of just how truly vulnerable she was. At least at this moment, I had no fear that our time together would be interrupted.
Tomorrow was a different story.
Tomorrow I’d begin waging a war on crime.
My way.
But for tonight, I’d meant what I’d told her. We would be creating new and better memories so that no matter the outcome of how I handled Mr. Jones, she’d never fear rain again.