Epilogue
NATHANIEL
“ I t truly is beautiful here,” I said as Cutter ran along the beach, forcing Goran and a few of the other guards to jog along with him. He looked like a miniature king already surrounded by loyal guards.
“So, what do you think? Do you want to buy a villa and spend half our year here and raise our son in paradise,” Savannah asked. I looked out at the crystal blue water and then back at the long trail that we had taken down to the water’s edge. The home for sale was built higher up but had massive windows that looked out toward the sea. It was a paradise nestled among other luxurious homes that lined this particular part of the country.
“Which son are we talking about,” I asked, making Savannah smile as she laid a hand over her stomach. “It’s certainly hard to say no. What do you think, Mr. Genovese? Would you be open to me setting up shop here for part of the year?”
The man that I’d only met in person a half dozen times laughed as he gripped my shoulder. “We are practically family, and with the new deals you have brought to my business, I can’t see any reason to object.”
“Well, then, I guess I better call the realtor because it doesn’t look like my son is prepared to leave anytime soon,” I said.
“I’ll go tell Cutter the good news and give the guys a break from the wind sprints,” Savannah said, rising on her toes and kissing my cheek before walking away.
“Have you visited your cousin yet,” Mr. Genovese asked.
“No, we are hoping to see her tomorrow.”
“Nonsense, I’ll arrange for dinner and have everyone come over. Not only can we congratulate and welcome you here officially, but it will give me an excuse to gather the rest of my family together.”
“Thank you for letting us stay. This is exactly the fresh start we all needed,” I said and then watched as Cutter cheered and jumped around. A new beginning for all of us.
SAVANNAH
Everything had been chaotic since we decided to move here and make this our home for half of the year. From moving arrangements to meeting new people and Nathan setting up his overseas business, it had been nonstop. This, though, had always been on my list.
“Are you sure you want to do this,” Nathaniel asked as the driver pulled into the parking area of the small home. It was still beautiful, with tended gardens and bright flowers.
“Yes, it’s something I have to do,” I said, and Nathan nodded.
“Very well, do you want me to come with you?”
I grabbed Nathan’s hand, squeezing as I shook my head. “I need to do it on my own.”
Ivan tapped on the window, and I knocked back, letting him know I was ready. Stepping out into the hot sun, I had to take a deep breath. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel or how this was going to go. The front door opened before I reached the front step of the home, and a woman stepped out, wiping her hands on a dish towel. I’d seen her so many times in photos that I would’ve known her anywhere.
“Hi there, Mrs. Gallo, my name is Savannah….” I didn’t get any further when she burst into tears and stepped forward, gripping me in a hug. I held her back.
“Marko talked about you all the time,” she said, pulling back. Her face was soaked with tears that matched my own. “Please call me Sandra. Is Cutter with you?” I shook my head no. “You must come in.”
“I can’t right now. My husband and I are on our way to the airport. But we’ll be back, and I’ll bring him to visit then, I promise.” I looked down to collect my thoughts. “I’m sorry I missed Marko’s funeral. I just recently found out what happened.” I held out the envelope clutched in my hand. “I wanted to give you this.”
Sandra tentatively took it from me. “What is this?”
“Marko gave this to me for safekeeping because he didn’t want anyone to get their hands on it,” I said.
“What is it?”
“It’s a letter that he told me to give to you in case anything ever happened to him.”
The letter really was from Marko. We’d given each other letters to give to our family if something ever happened to us, but I’d also added a check. No matter what, I couldn’t stop thinking that if they had chosen anyone else to be Marko’s partner, he would be alive today.
“I don’t understand. The FBI was already here,” she said. “I thought they had given me all of his belongings.”
“It was mixed in with my stuff. I didn’t realize I still had it and wanted to make sure you got it.”
She held the closed envelope to her chest. “Grazie, questo significa molto per me.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll visit again, but I better get going so we don’t miss our flight,” I said, playing down who I married.
Sandra gave me another hug before I walked back to the car and got in.
“Are you okay,” Nathan asked.
I stared out the window and watched Sandra open the envelope and look inside. Her mouth dropped open as she saw the contents.
“Yeah, I will be. It’s the least I can do to make sure Marko’s family is taken care of.”
Nathan picked up my hand and kissed my knuckles. “This world is a better place with you in it. My world is a better place because of you.”
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