Treasured Lies (33 page)

‘Show me. Show me.' Tracy reached for Rosalina's hand and turned it over to reveal her engagement ring. ‘Oh my Godddd. That diamond is positively enormous.'

‘I know, can you believe we're engaged?' The last time she'd seen Tracy was to tell her that she'd broken up with Archer. Her mind boggled at how much had happened since she left Australia. They had so much to talk about.

‘I always knew you two would hook up again.' Tracy jiggled on her feet.

Rosalina clutched her friend's hands in hers. ‘When did you arrive?'

‘An hour or so ago.'

‘How long are you staying?' So many questions pummelled through her mind and she wasn't quite sure where to start with all the excitement buzzing around the room.

‘Just a week, but Archer has arranged for a place to stay in Positano. I can't wait. But we'll have all day tomorrow to catch up.' Tracy squealed and bounced on her toes. ‘I can't believe I'm here.'

‘Me neither.' She turned to Archer. ‘You're incredible. Thank you.'

‘He's a keeper, honey.' Tracy kissed Archer on the cheek again. ‘Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, my dance partner is waiting.'

Rosalina looked ahead of where Tracy was walking and saw her boyfriend Peter, waiting patiently. She waved to him, blew him a kiss and he blew a kiss in return.

The music beat picked up and Archer glided her around the dance floor with ease. After countless spins and twirls, they cruised up beside Nonna and Jimmy. ‘How are you going, Nonna?' Rosalina appreciated the moment to catch her breath, she didn't know how Nonna would be keeping up.

‘Nonna?' Jimmy gushed. ‘What about me? This woman's a wildcat.'

Nonna laughed and the sparkle in her eyes made Rosalina laugh too.

A loud thundering crash startled her. She turned towards the noise to see Filippo on the floor next to the band, tangled up in amongst the noisy cymbals. Archer and her older brother dashed to his aid, but Filippo brushed aside their help. He stumbled and swore as he tried to get up.

‘Oh dear.' Nonna had her hand over her mouth and the look of concern in her eyes was heartbreaking.

‘It's okay, Nonna. He's just had a bit too much to drink. Archer will look after him.' Rosalina put her arm around Nonna for reassurance.

Filippo was on his feet and the two men were guiding him out of the room.

‘It's all good, folks, just a little slip,' Archer said as Filippo shoved Archer's hand away. ‘How about another song, Luigi?' Archer called to the band before he stepped through the doors.

The guitarist strummed a few notes and the rest of the band joined in. Gradually all the guests resumed dancing again.

Rosalina turned back to Nonna, and saw her grandmother's eyes fall to Rosalina's wrist. The look in her pale blue eyes shifted from the concern over Filippo that they'd portrayed moments ago to cloud even darker with distress.

‘What is it, Non—'

‘
Mi scusi
.' Nonna walked away and Rosalina started after her but stopped with a jolt when she remembered the bracelet hanging loosely around her wrist. She reached over to it and as she rubbed St Rita between her fingers, Archer re-entered the room with a woman on his arm she didn't recognise. He nodded in her direction before he guided the woman towards Jimmy.

‘Hey, Dad,' the young lady said in a prominent Australian accent.

Jimmy stared open-mouthed at the woman for the briefest of moments. ‘Pauline?'

‘Look at you. You look fantastic,' Pauline said as she wrapped her arms around Jimmy and he nearly squeezed her to death in his muscular arms. Rosalina was fairly certain she saw tears in his eyes. Jimmy held his hand forward to shake Archer's hand. Rosalina had never met Pauline before but she knew Jimmy had been trying to see his daughter for years. It looks like the offer of an Italian holiday was all that was needed. Archer's generosity knew no bounds. Her heart filled with love and awe for the man she cherished.

For the rest of the evening, Rosalina drifted along like she was in a fairytale. Archer had thought of everything and everyone. When Archer and his mother took to the dance floor, the crowd eased back to give them space. Their dance was fluid, elegant, almost poetic as they glided across the dance floor. Rosalina's already bursting heart swelled even more as she watched Helen move with grace and poise while Archer led her graciously over the dance floor. To see Helen so happy, and Archer for that matter, was the highlight of the evening. Their dance ended with a twirl and a dip. As the crowd began to clap, Helen laughed and Archer pulled her in for a hug. He looked over his mother's head in her direction and was beaming with happiness. Rosalina's chin quivered as she grinned back at him. Archer guided his mother back to her chair, sought her out from amongst the crowd and set off around the dance floor with her once again.

When the distant town clock chimed midnight, Archer let go of her hand and strode towards the band. She assumed it was to ask for a song. But he grabbed the microphone instead.

‘
Ciao posso avere la vostra attenzione
.' Rosalina cupped her mouth in surprise as Archer asked for everyone's attention in Italian. He really had been busy.

‘
Spero che hai avuto una grande notte
.' The crowd cheered and clapped and she couldn't agree more. But it wasn't just a great night, it was more spectacular than any engagement party she could have ever dreamed of.

‘Sorry, that's all I can say in Italian. Where's my wingman? Come on, Alex, help me out here and translate.' Alessandro nodded and stepped to Archer's side.

‘On behalf of Rosalina and I, we would like to thank you all very much for coming tonight, especially those who travelled all the way from Australia at very short notice. Pauline, Tracy and Peter, thank you.'

‘Our pleasure,' Tracy said as she clapped her hands together.

‘I especially want to thank you all for keeping this a secret. Rosalina is a hard woman to surprise.'

Rosalina palmed her chest and then blew her husband-to-be a kiss. ‘I'm sorry, baby.'

‘You can apologise to me later.' He winked at her and she felt the flood of embarrassment heat her neck. ‘So. My lovely fiancée and I are heading off now. I have a hot date planned on
Evangeline
.' The crowd cheered and whistled. Rosalina's hot flush shot up to her cheeks.

‘Rosalina, would you like to say anything?'

‘Yes please.'

‘Of course she does, Rosalina always has something to say.' He rolled his eyes yet his grin lit up his face.

She kissed Archer on the lips as she reached for the microphone. ‘I can't believe you all kept this from me.' She pretended to be mad, but failed miserably.

The crowd cheered again.

‘Archer baby, thank you. You never cease to amaze me. To manage something like this must have taken an incredible amount of planning.'

‘If you weren't constantly spying on me it would've been easier.'

She poked her tongue at him.

‘Thank you, everyone, for making this an incredible night. I love you all.'

She handed the microphone back to Archer.

Archer held it up to his mouth. ‘You have the band for another couple of hours so please enjoy.' He handed the microphone back to the band member, then wrapped his arm around her to bring her close. ‘You have ten minutes for goodbyes before the car arrives. Okay?'

‘Thank you.' Rosalina spotted Tracy and Peter in the crowd. She could hardly miss her, Tracy's fiery red curls were as rich as candied strawberries. ‘Hey, Tracy.'

‘Hey. Tell me, is this your home? My God, woman, you never told us you had a grand ballroom.'

‘I guess, because I grew up here, it's just normal to me. So what are your plans for tomorrow? Shall I take you to lunch in Florence?'

‘Yes please. Sounds perfect. It's been crazy mad since Archer called us seven days ago.'

Rosalina's mind raced. Seven days ago was when they left the Greek Islands. She couldn't believe Archer had organised all this in such a short amount of time.

‘He's so generous paying for our flights and accommodation.'

‘Oh yes, you'll adore Positano. And the food is fantastic.' She smiled as she recalled the wonderful time they'd had there. ‘I assume you're staying here tonight.'

‘Yes, Archer has arranged a room for us.'

‘Great. Okay, I've got to go, but I'll pick you up tomorrow before lunch.' She wrapped her arms around both Tracy and Peter and squeezed them together.

Rosalina was overwhelmed as she did a quick dash around the room, trying to personally thank everyone before Archer came and grabbed her. Her head was spinning as he led her from the room.

‘I can't believe you did all that for me. Thank you again.'

‘I can't believe I got away with it.'

As Archer had said, a car was waiting for them in the driveway. But it wasn't just any car, it was a very long, white stretch limousine. The driver opened the door for her and helped her inside. She fell into the soft leather of the back seat and felt completely exhausted. Archer slipped in beside her, draped his arm across her shoulders and pulled her to rest against his shoulder as the limousine pulled away.

‘I love you, baby.'

‘I love you too, sweetheart.' He tugged her closer, kissed her forehead and she settled in for the long drive back to
Evangeline
.

Chapter 33

Archer was dismayed at the amount of traffic still on the road at this time of night. Despite that, the driver was able to maintain maximum speed most of the way. They cruised into the marina parking lot and as the driver pulled to a stop Archer gently shook Rosalina's shoulder and kissed her forehead. ‘Hey, baby, we're here.'

She groaned. ‘Oh, did I fall asleep?'

‘Yep, almost the instant we left the villa.'

She blinked her eyes open. ‘Sorry.'

‘It's fine. We've had a huge day.'

The driver jumped out to open the door.

‘Thank you, Giovanni.'

‘
Grazie,
Mr Mahoney. Call me anytime you need.'

‘I will.' Archer slipped a five-hundred Euro note into the driver's hand and Giovanni's eyes threatened to pop out of his head.

The moon was a misty light, filtering down through low-lying clouds as an eerie ivory haze. It was more spooky than romantic. Archer wrapped his arm around Rosalina and as he led her towards the main gate, he fished his security card from his pocket.

‘I hope you're not too tired.' Before they'd left earlier today Archer had slipped a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream and a box of chocolates into the fridge and he'd hoped to replicate a little Positano action with Rosalina before the night came to an end.

‘Of course not. I'm all yours.'

‘I hoped you'd say that.' Although he had counted on the full moon being more prominent. He still had every intention of enjoying Rosalina within full view of the night sky. He wasn't worried though, no matter where they went, it'd be the perfect end to a perfect night.

He removed his arm from her shoulder to swipe the card. But it didn't work. He flipped it over to try again. Still nothing. There was minimal light and he could barely see what he was doing. He glanced around looking for a light switch. But couldn't find anything. He looked up at the light and frowned at the jagged teeth of broken glass that glimmered with a blue tinge. Archer stepped back and when he heard crunching beneath his feet, he knew exactly what it was. Glass!

A flicker of dread curled up from the base of his spine. With a new sense of urgency he stepped up to the gate and swiped the card for the third time. Again nothing. With a clenched jaw he turned it over and tried it one more time. The gate popped with a sharp click and he shoved it open.

He turned to Rosalina and cupped her face. ‘Stay here.'

‘What? Why?'

‘Just stay here until I come and get you.'

She clutched his arm, her nails digging in. ‘No, Archer. I'm not going to just sit here. Tell me what's wrong.'

‘I don't know. Please, Rosa, stay here. I'll be back for you in a minute.'

Archer turned and sprinted along the main pontoon, guided only by the subtle blue lights illuminating the way. He was nearly halfway along when he saw something that shot the dread in the base of his spine right up his backbone. A helicopter. On top of
Evangeline
.

‘Fucking bastard,' Archer screamed as he fist punched the air. ‘Call the police.'

His heart was set to explode as he sprinted with the determination of a panther chasing prey. For the first time ever he hated how his beautiful yacht was always relegated to mooring at the outer pontoons. Twenty-one pontoons. That's how far he had to run to get to her.

Eight. Nine. Ten.

‘Call the
polizi
.' He screamed as he ran, hoping Rosalina, or anyone heard him.

His left knee throbbed with his unrelenting pace, but he didn't stop. Thirteen. Fourteen.

He heard the noise of a motor now and looked up to the chopper. But its rotors remained still. Good. Ignatius would be the pilot. He was certain of that. Archer was planning on strangling that bastard with his bare hands. A light in the distance caught his eye. It was beyond the last line of boats. A powerful spotlight skimmed across the black water as the boat carrying it sped away from the marina. Away from
Evangeline
.

‘No!' Archer screamed, clenched his fists and pumped his arms back and forth in an attempt to go faster. Seventeen. Eighteen.

Then he heard the noise he'd been dreading. Whomp … Whomp.

‘Goddammit.' Nineteen. Twenty. The helicopter sound was unmistakable. Archer had no idea how long the start-up would take. One minute? Two minutes? Five? He hoped like all hell it was five. Whomp … whomp … whomp.

He hit pontoon twenty-one at full speed. His feet pounded loudly on the wooden slats. His heart pounded like a galloping horse in his chest. And his brain pounded through his limited options trying to formulate a plan.