Out of the Dark by April Emerson Read Free Book Online Page B

Alfonso given? We have to eliminate him then. Yes. I’ll meet you there this evening, Mr. Savano. Your nephew called earlier. He accepted your invitation and will arrive in the next few weeks. Yes, she is fine, sir. Bianca is taking her out shopping today. Yes, sir. My wife follows orders as well as I do.” He laughs.
    Last night’s eavesdropping pops up in my head and I cringe.
    She does follow his orders .
    “Please don’t concern yourself, sir. It will all be handled. Yes, Mr. Savano. I’m looking forward to it.”
    Rocco hangs up the phone and a chill rushes through me. I don’t want to be caught here listening to his conversation. I rush toward the front door.
    “Going somewhere?”
    Fabrizio is wiping his hands on a dishrag with a sad look on his face as he leans in the doorway, and I wonder if he was listening to Rocco, too.
    “Um, uh—”
    “I can arrange transportation if you are leaving, but I have to tell you, Miss Carina, if you left, you would be missed.” He approaches me with hesitance, like a dogcatcher trying to capture a skittish stray, and puts his hand on my shoulder in an effort to soothe my obvious tension. “Sometimes, the thing that is pleasing at first can become a necessity, and that necessity can change into something you can’t imagine being separate from. The only way to tell is to go away. If you feel your heart is breaking, then you will know where you stand.”
    In his own cryptic way, he’s giving me permission and telling me to follow my heart, but as soon as he says it out loud, I realize my heart is here . The idea of leaving Stefan makes me feel empty.
    My eyes begin to water.
    Whatever is happening inside me, I want to be here when Stefan returns. I can’t imagine being separate from him. It’s crazy, but I think I may be in love with him.
    “No. I’m not leaving.”
    He takes the heavy suitcase from my hand. “Good. Go into the kitchen. I’ll make you something to eat.”
    It has been nice being waited on, but I miss cooking. “Or I could make something for you?” I give him a friendly smile.
    He nods. “How about we cook together? Go inside. I’ll be right back.” He heads upstairs with my suitcase, presumably returning it to my bedroom.
    In the kitchen, I begin to gather the ingredients for my all-time favorite breakfast—something to cheer me up and take my mind off of last night—decadent stuffed french toast. I rummage through the fridge. A little mascarpone filling will give it an Italian twist. Some walnut-amaretto glaze will do as well. My mind wanders through a recipe, but I startle and turn as I hear someone approach.
    “ Buongiorno .” Bianca’s dressed in her uniform and looks exhausted.
    I squash my embarrassment.
    She’s doesn’t know I heard her last night. No need to worry .
    “Did you sleep well?”
    “Yes.” I lie.
    “Where is Fabrizio?” Her voice is hoarse.
    “He’ll be right back.”
    She nods, and I watch as she slinks over to the table and sits down.
    She looks . . . defeated, and I feel bad for her. Being married to Rocco doesn’t seem to make her happy.
    “Would you like some coffee?”
    “Miss Carina, I believe it is my job to be asking you that question.” She smiles, but it’s feeble.
    I can’t make eye contact. I can’t shake the look I saw on her face last night when she was with Rocco. She looked so miserable, and I want to help her somehow. “How about you just call me Carina. Would that be all right?”
    She smiles. “If that is what you wish, Carina.”
    “Okay. Good.”
    I get the coffee brewing, and Fabrizio enters the kitchen with the dishrag slung over his shoulder.
    He seems surprised to find Bianca sitting in the kitchen, but his face lights up when he sees her.
    I keep thinking they’re just friends, but maybe there is more between them . . . there must be.
    “ Buongiorno ,” he says to Bianca. “ Come stai ?”
    “ La vita è bella. ”
    Fabrizio nods and walks to stand at my side.