Chapter 11 #2
“Oh! I didn’t mean to sound like I was fishing for information. Sorry. Wipe that question out of your mind.”
The two women worked on the puzzle quietly for a few minutes. Alessia wasn’t ready to make such an important decision. Carina’s warm hand wrapped around hers on the table. She glanced up in surprise to meet her friend’s sympathetic look.
“You’ve got lots of time, Alessia. Don’t rush into making a decision until you’re ready. Titus will hang around for you. He’s already waited for a long time. What’s a few more days, months, or even years? He has you while you sort out what’s the best choice for you.”
Tension evaporated from Alessia’s rigid frame. She slumped back in the chair. “Thank you, Carina. You give good advice.”
Alessia debated for a couple of minutes before asking, “Do you know who my brother is?” She wanted to be transparent with Carina.
“Enzo Costa,” Carina spat out, as if the name alone was distasteful.
Cringing inside, Alessia understood that strong of a reaction had to result from something negative, dangerous, or both.
She crossed her fingers under the table hoping Carina wouldn’t quit being her friend because of Enzo.
“Yes. I’ve picked up from small bits of conversation that he’s caused a lot of problems for Nightfall,” Alessia said.
Carina rolled her eyes at that statement. “He’s an awful person. I can’t figure out how you two could be related. I mean other than the obvious when a man meets a woman….”
“Have you met him?” Alessia asked, guessing that something more serious had happened between Carina and Enzo.
“No. Just his men. They tried to abduct me. I was so scared, but Marcus rescued me. He keeps me safe.”
“Oh, no, Carina! That’s horrifying. I’m so sorry he did that. Did you get hurt?”
“I was banged up. I still get nightmares occasionally,” Carina confided.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Her brother had ruined so many things in her life. Alessia couldn’t see how anyone would want to be around her. “I’m so sorry. You must hate me. I should go.” Alessia stood, ready to flee.
Carina jumped to her feet and rushed to Alessia’s side. “Don’t go. I would never judge you by what your brother does. You’re not working with him, are you?”
“He doesn’t know I’m alive ninety percent of the time. He remembers I’m around when he wants to use me as a pawn.”
“Like when you came to Nightfall to scout out the club?” Carina asked.
Alessia didn’t lie. “Yes. I had to do what he wanted.”
“Thank goodness you’re with Titus now.”
“I never understood how much pressure I was under until Titus rescued me. A proverbial sword hung over my head. As soon as I stopped being of any value, Enzo didn’t need me to exist.”
“What an awful way to live,” Carina said, running her hands over Alessia’s arms. “I don’t blame you for Enzo’s actions. No one does.”
Relief flooded her mind. Carina really meant that. “Thanks, Carina. I’m so glad we’ve met.”
“Me, too. Now sit down and help me some more. I’ve got a question for you. Do you have a stuffie?”
“I do. Hopper,” Alessia answered as her face heated. “Do you have a stuffie?”
“Of course,” Carina answered, as if every self-respecting Little girl mated to a vampire had a stuffie. “Mine’s a raccoon. His name is Mischief.”
“That’s so cute! Would it be okay if we bring them to our next meeting? Maybe at my house…. Well, at Titus’s home next time.”
“It’s your home now. Titus won’t let you go anywhere. And I think that’s a great idea. Mischief needs friends too.”
“Speaking of mischief, does anyone wish to go swimming?” Marcus asked from the doorway.
“Do you like pools, Alessia?” Carina asked.
“I love them, but I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“I stock a variety of sizes in the cabana, Alessia. You’re welcome to wear one of those. Titus as well,” Marcus said.
“Let’s go, Little mate. That sounds like fun,” Titus encouraged her.
Alessia always considered herself to have fish genes. She’d loved to swim from the moment she’d first floated in the shallow end as a small child. “That sounds like a blast.” She hesitated for a minute and added five pieces to the puzzle in rapid succession.
“You held onto those so I wouldn’t feel like I was super slow, didn’t you?” Carina teased. “Daddy! Alessia is the puzzle champion of the world. She simply peeks at the picture and can pick out the right pieces.”
“Wow! That’s impressive. Thank goodness she sat on my side of the table. Look how far ahead I am,” Marcus celebrated, winking at Carina.
“No way! That doesn’t count. Next time, Alessia takes my chair.”
When Alessia’s gaze met her Daddy’s, she burst out laughing at the amusement dancing in his green eyes. “How about if we both work on your side when I visit next?” she asked Carina.
“Ooo! Two against one. I like those odds.” Carina linked her arm with Alessia’s and guided her down the stairs and out the back.
In a few minutes, Alessia stood in front of a large closet with women’s swimwear on the bottom rack and men’s trunks on the top. Overwhelmed by the choices, she glanced helplessly at Titus. “Would you choose something for me?”
“Of course. One piece or two?”
“Two. It’s easier to go to the bathroom,” Alessia answered immediately. “Nothing too revealing.”
Titus ran his fingers through the rack and pulled out a deep green tankini top with a modest bikini brief. “You’d look beautiful in this, Little mate.”
“I love it.”
Alessia stood patiently as Titus stripped off her clothing and helped her into the swimsuit.
The fabric fit like a dream. She couldn’t wait to get outside to play.
Excitement built inside her. The Costa house didn’t have a pool.
Alessia hadn’t gone swimming since the last time she visited the country club.
“Come on, Daddy. I hear Carina splashing.”
“I’ll be fast,” he promised and shucked off his jeans and T-shirt.
She hoped she’d always find him shockingly handsome. Alessia plopped down on a chair to enjoy the show. His muscles were lean and strong. When he pulled the trunks up to his waist, covering his most private assets, a squeak of protest escaped from her mouth.
“We’ll play swim instructor and his student tonight when we get home,” Titus promised as he took her hand.
Alessia couldn’t wait. Dashing out of the changing room with Titus on her heels, she winked at him before joining Carina at the ladder of the curving slide. “Catch me at the bottom, Daddy.”
“I’ve got you, Alessia.” Titus dived into the pool, joining Marcus in the water.
As she slid down the smooth fiberglass slide, Alessia didn’t worry. Her Daddy always took care of her.