Fire Bound (Sea Haven Sisters)(108)

“You check his pulse?”



She nodded. “He’s dead. He hit perfectly. The shards from the broken fountain probably killed him. I didn’t take chances. He hit the back of his skull hard as well. I didn’t want to leave bruises on his chest for a doctor to question, but I had to hit him pretty hard.” She shrugged. “Hopefully I’ll be long gone before any questions are raised.”



“No one is going to question it,” he assured, and pulled the car to the side of the street to allow her to get out. “I’ve got to return this rental to the agency, go into the airport and change into another role. I won’t be back at the house for a while, Giacinta, so you watch yourself.”



“Luigi needed an alibi. He knows where I am today and he had no idea when the deed will be done,” she said, pouring confidence into her voice. “He’s with Aldo’s sister. You can bet he wants her to be his alibi.”



He nodded. “Even so, malyshka, you watch your back.”



He leaned across the seat and cupped her face in his hands, thumbs sliding along her skin, causing shivers. “I don’t like you out of my sight.”



He took her mouth, gentle. Tender. Almost reverent. The kind of kiss that always shook her. Always melted her. Her heart stuttered hard in her chest. Her arms went around his neck and she kissed him back, falling into him. Mesmerized by him. Loving him with everything she had.



Casimir pulled away just enough to rest his forehead against hers. “Promise me you’ll be careful, golubushka, and don’t call him until I’m back with you. He could already have contracted with one of his men at home.”



She nodded because she still couldn’t find her voice. She brushed her mouth over his, caught up her purse and exited the car. Slinging her camera around her neck, she hurried to the bus stop. She only had a minute or two before the bus showed up. It was all about timing.



Lissa stood with two other women, both locals, laughing and taking pictures when police cars and an ambulance screamed by, heading in the direction of the apartments. She paused for a moment, just like the women, staring after the emergency vehicles, and then the three of them began an animated conversation that continued even after the bus arrived and all three got on.





16



Lissa paced back and forth in the library. She had spent a lot of time in the library growing up. It had been her place to go when she was upset. Luigi rarely, if ever, came into the room and no one else did either, so over the years, it had become her sanctuary. She liked the connection of the old books with the new. She liked the peace. It was always quiet, allowing the chaos in her mind to calm.



Waiting for Casimir’s safe return was nerve-wracking. She was certain he was safe, he had only to take the vehicle back and return as Tomasso, but until he was back with her, she couldn’t quite get the feeling of impending disaster out of her stomach. She glanced at the clock. He shouldn’t be much longer. She resisted the urge to text him. Phones were a hazard. Still…



She sighed and went to the large window that looked out toward the gardens. The estate wasn’t huge, but it was beautifully kept. Luigi seemed fond of his flowers and trees. He had a large gardening crew. They were gone for the day, but she was certain old Alberto, the head gardener, would be making one last sweep of his domain before he left for the night. He always did a walk-through before he left.

The sun set with a fiery glow, the large ball seeming to drop from the sky into the sea, spreading orange and red across the surface of the water, turning the deep blue into a strange blanket of colors. She liked this time of day, between day and night, when the sun was setting and the moon was rising. Sky and sea seemed to come together, forming a beautiful, colorful illusion of fire pouring into the waves.



“Miss Piner?”



She turned toward the door. One of her uncle’s newer recruits had his head only inside the room. He looked a little shy and very uncomfortable. Luigi had hired him right after she left the last time and he didn’t know her at all.



“Yes? It’s Raimondo, isn’t it?” She smiled encouragingly. He was a little younger than the others and still had a bit of a baby face.



“I’m sorry to disturb you, but we have a situation and I can’t get Signor Abbracciabene to respond and I’m not certain what to do. Old man Alberto is in the back gardens and he’s very upset. I’m afraid he’s going to have a heart attack. He’s making me crazy. I can’t understand a word he’s saying. Arturo told us that if Signor Abbracciabene wasn’t here then we’re supposed to come to you.”