Sempre (Forever) (59 page)

While Carmine wasn’t sure if she’d figured out why, if she’d drawn the conclusion that it was likely because of her, he didn’t doubt she eventually would. She’d realize the truth someday. It was only a matter of time.

After all, he couldn’t shield her forever.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. After they finished their game, Haven cooked lunch, and Corrado and Celia had to catch a plane back to Chicago. It was odd, watching his uncle that afternoon and knowing he’d probably killed someone a few days before. Carmine had heard the stories about Corrado, the violence he’d caused and the men he’d killed, but it was the first time he’d ever had a name and a face for one of his victims.

Corrado seemed unaffected, so blasé about it all. The lack of emotion terrified Carmine.

Chapter 37

The warm June weather quickly gave way to a sprawling Carolina heat as July dawned. Triple-digit temperatures seeped into the region, stirring up scattered thunderstorms and intermittent showers nearly every day. Fireflies emerged again, flickering in the night sky, as a sense of contentment settled over Haven.

She ventured outside with Carmine every day, strolling through the backyard in her bare feet. She climbed trees and chased bugs, picked flowers and ran through sprinklers, all the while Carmine stood back and urged her on. His support became invaluable to her, and Haven couldn’t imagine going a single day without him.

She’d have to, though. They both knew it.

“Aren’t you gonna be late, bro?” Dominic asked as he walked into the family room where the two of them sat. Haven sighed exasperatedly, having asked that same question a moment ago. She’d been trying to get Carmine to leave for the past thirty minutes, but he wouldn’t budge, no matter what she said.

Carmine slouched down. “I’m not going.”

Dominic laughed. “Why? Scared you’ll get hurt?”

“I’m not afraid,” Carmine said.

“Then quit whining and go.”

Carmine grumbled incoherently, still not appearing like he had any intention of moving. He was scheduled to attend football camp for a week in Chapel Hill. He’d seemed fine with going away and talked incessantly about what he'd do when he was there, and she’d listened, although she didn’t know what encroachment or interference or any of that other stuff meant. She was just grateful he was sharing something with her.

But when Haven opened her eyes this morning, there was no smile on Carmine’s lips. None of the excitement was present anymore. All she saw was her own anxiety reflecting back to her.

“You have to go,” she said at the same time he spoke, uttering those words he’d been repeating all day long: “I’m not going.”

Haven thought Carmine’s tenacity was part of his charm, but it was beginning to be maddening.

“You have to go,” she said again.

He ignored her and pretended to be interested in the television, but she could see his eyes drifting to the clock. Time was running out, and they both knew it. He was supposed to be at the University of North Carolina by five that evening to check in and it was already a few minutes after one.

“I’ll still be here when you get back.”

His eyes snapped in her direction. “Of course you will. Where else would you be?”

She sighed—that was the wrong thing to say.

“Don’t worry about her, man,” Dominic said, walking up behind them. “I have plans for her this week. I’m going to keep her so busy she won’t even realize you’re gone.”

Haven smiled but didn’t believe his words for a moment.

“You’ll get her in more trouble than she could ever find on her own,” Carmine said. “Maybe that’s why I’m not going.”

Dominic laughed. “If you aren’t going, you must not trust her.”

Anger flashed across his face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Afraid she can’t hack it without you?”

“I know she can.”

“So why aren’t you going?”

Carmine glared at him but didn’t respond.

The front door opened after a moment, and Dr. DeMarco paused in the entrance to the family room. “I thought you’d be gone by now,” he said, focusing his attention on Carmine. “Aren’t you going to be late?”

Carmine’s expression softened into a pout. “Would you people get off my nuts? I’ll go in a minute.”

Dr. DeMarco shook his head and walked away while Dominic punched Carmine on the shoulder. “That’s it, be a man! The sooner you leave, the sooner Haven and I can start having fun.”

Carmine rubbed his arm but once again didn’t respond to his brother. Dominic walked out, and Carmine pulled Haven to him. “I’d hide you in my suitcase and take you with me if I could.”

“Don’t worry. Go do some field goals and play some runs.”

“I’m the quarterback,
tesoro
. I don’t kick field goals. And it’s called running plays, not playing runs.”

“Oh. Well, go quarterback then.”

He laughed and let go of her. “Don’t let that
cafone
make you do something you don’t wanna do, okay?”

“Okay. It’s only a week, so I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t sure who she was reassuring more with her words, him or herself.

He nodded, running his fingertips across her cheek, and kissed her one final time before standing up. “I’ll see you later.”

“Goodbye, Carmine,” she said, the words making his steps falter as his shoulders tensed. She thought he was going to turn around and say something to her, but he simply walked out, shaking his head.

She sat quietly in the family room as he grabbed his stuff and headed for the front door. “You’re definitely going to be late,” his father said from the foyer.

“I’m going. Isn't that enough?”

*  *  *  *

Carmine’s bedroom was quiet and still that night, the room feeling void without his presence. Haven tip-toed inside and snatched his favorite pillow off of his bed before running back to her room and shutting the door behind her. She crawled into bed and snuggled with it. His familiar scent lingered, surrounding her like a warm shroud.

Closing her eyes, Haven pleaded for sleep to come quickly.

The next morning, a loud banging ricocheted through the room, and Haven jumped out of bed as Dominic’s voice carried through the door. “Rise and shine! We have things to do.”

She glanced at the clock, surprised it was only a few minutes past seven. She pulled open the door when Dominic knocked again, and he grinned brightly, raising his eyebrows. “Too tired to get changed last night?”

Glancing down, she realized she still had her clothes on from the day before. “I didn’t think about it. Why are you up so early?”

“Because I’m starving! Breakfast is in order.”

“Did you want me to make you something?”

He laughed. “Of course not. Damn, girl, are you even awake yet? Do you really think I’d drag you out of bed for you to cook? We're going out for breakfast.”

Crossroads Diner was packed when they arrived. Much to the dismay of some waiting patrons, Dominic was able to get a table right away.

Haven slid into the booth as the waitress approached and chatted with Dominic. Looking through the menu, Haven ordered French toast while Dominic rattled off a list of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, and toast. She wasn’t surprised because she was used to feeding him, but he smiled sheepishly anyway. “What can I say? I’m a growing boy.”

“I think you’re done growing, Dom.”

He laughed, pushing up his shirtsleeve and flexing his weak muscle. “I need fuel, though. These guns are the only ones I carry and they don’t come naturally, little sis.”

“Little sis,” she said, echoing his words.

“Yeah, it's what you are,” he said. “Someday you’ll possibly make it official by marrying my shithead little brother.”

She smiled at the thought.

The waitress returned with their food, and the two of them started to eat. Despite the fact that the place was noisy, a comfortable silence surrounded their table.

“Did you ever think it would be this way?” Dominic asked after a few minutes.

She glanced at him. “What way?”

He waved his fork in the air, motioning all around them. “This way. Coming here, having a life, getting a family, meeting Carmine. All of it, really. Did you ever think this would happen?”

She contemplated his question as he took a bite of his food. “My mama always said I'd end up somewhere like this, but I just figured I was given the life I had and the most I could do was get used to it.”

“I can relate,” Dominic said. “Did you know I was adopted?”

She was caught off guard. “No.”

“I am. My real mom… well, no, forget that. Maura was my real mom in every way that counted. The woman who gave birth to me was raped, and out I popped.”

Haven’s mouth dropped open. “I was made the same way.”

“I figured you were,” he said. “See, you and I aren’t that different. None of us are when it comes down to it. The only difference is my mom stumbled upon me at the right time and saved me from what could’ve been a disaster of a life. I wonder all the time where I’d be if they hadn’t taken me in.”

“You got lucky.”

“I did,” he said. “You and Carmine aren’t that different, either. My brother’s a spoiled little shit—that’s why he’s so picky. Everyone has always catered to him. Not saying I was neglected, because I wasn’t, but Carmine received attention that I never had to deal with.”

“What kind of attention?”

“Attention from, uh… my dad’s friends.” He glanced around, seeing if anyone was listening. “There’s this photo album at the house of pictures from our childhood, and it’s easy to tell looking through it how different we were viewed. At my christening, there were about two dozen people. It was relaxed, with a potluck at the house for family and friends. Carmine’s christening was only a few months after mine, and hundreds of people came to show their respect. The event had to be catered and held in a rented reception hall.”

Haven frowned. “That’s horrible.”

“Not really,” he said. “I’m sure I was jealous when I was young, but I don’t envy my brother at all. Before he could walk or talk, people were showering him with gifts and making plans for his future. And those people don’t do that for no reason. They expect something in return, and I’m grateful they never put that kind of pressure on me.”

“Why him?” she asked. “Why not you?”

“Because he’s my dad’s son, and that’s what they care about—the Italian blood.” He paused. “Or what they used to care about. I don’t know anymore. But anyway, back to what I was saying. Carmine’s spoiled, but deep down he’s still a terrified little boy, trying to figure out where he belongs, just like you’re still that girl looking for her place in the world. You two were searching for the same thing. My mom would’ve called that fate.”

“Wow, that's... deep.”

*  *  *  *

After leaving the diner, Dominic stopped by the Harper residence to pick up Tess. She threw a duffel bag into the back of the car and crossed her arms over her chest, her usual scowl on her face as she sat in the backseat in total silence.

Once they reached the house, Tess pulled out a shopping bag and thrust it at Haven. “It’s a swimsuit. Figured you didn't have one.”

She was taken aback.
A gift
? “Thank you, but I don’t need one.”

Tess looked amused. “If you’re going to the lake with me, honey, you do need one.”

“Lake?” Haven asked. “What lake?”

“We’re heading down to Aurora Lake for the day,” Dominic said. “It’ll be a blast.”

Haven glanced at the bag. “And I’m supposed to wear this?”

Tess nodded. “Yes, you can put it on under your clothes.”

Haven headed inside and went straight upstairs to her room. She stripped out of her clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor as she pulled out the swimsuit. It was a black one-piece that tied around the neck, the bottom cut like shorts. Haven put it on and tied it the best she could, tugging at it to make sure she was covered.

She was running her fingers through her unruly hair when Tess walked into the room. “I’m glad it fits,” she said, pushing Haven’s hair out of the way to tighten the top. “Come on, throw your clothes on and let’s go.”

Aurora Lake was located in a valley ten minutes south of the Durante city limits. The community of Aurora surrounded it, a few hundred residents living along the 27 miles of isolated shoreline. It wasn’t the most popular lake in the state, nor did it have the clearest waters, but to the locals, it was their definition of tranquility. Although the lake was man-made, much of the land beyond the homes had remained untouched by civilization.

Haven climbed out of the backseat of the car and glanced around, seeing the water in the distance. It went as far as she could see, wildly tall trees bordering it on all sides. Despite its enormity, something about the place instantly put her at ease. Beyond the grassy lot they’d parked on was tan colored sand, reminding her of the desert ground she’d been used to all her life.

“Welcome to paradise… or as close as we get around here,” Dominic said, juggling some folded-up lounge chairs under his right arm. They headed toward the water, setting up on the sand in an area partially encased in shade. There wasn’t a cloud in sight, and the warm summer breeze felt nice on Haven’s skin.

Dominic set out into the water while Tess stripped out of her clothes. Haven pulled hers off carefully and sat down, watching the few people who were already playing out on the lake. Someone started a game of volleyball after a few minutes, and Dominic and Tess joined them, while Haven just relaxed under the sun’s rays.

It didn’t take long for the temperature to raise, sweat trickling down Haven’s face. She grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler and was taking a drink when a familiar voice rang out. She coughed, gasping for air as the liquid went down her windpipe.

“Excuse me?” she sputtered, coming face-to-face with Nicholas. She took a deep breath that burned her chest. “What did you say?”

He stared at her as he plopped down in Tess’s lounge chair. Haven glanced over at where they were playing volleyball, worried about what they were going to think.