Fire Bound (Sea Haven Sisters)(14)
There was a small silence. “Do you see the value of waiting, Tio? When they die, no one suspects it is payment for a debt from so long ago.”
“You were right, I can concede that. Your restraint and wisdom has kept us safe all these years.”
“Thank you for finding him.” Lissa’s voice was soft. Loving.
“I wanted him more than any other,” Luigi admitted.
“I need a favor, Tio,” she continued. “I need to go into the village to meet someone. I do not wish to have a bodyguard accompany me. I’ll slip out alone…”
“No.” Luigi’s voice was firm. “I will not have you go unescorted. We think the Porcellis have forgotten us, but we don’t know. You are not safe here. That’s why I had you relocate to the United States when you were just eighteen. That’s why you have become Lissa Piner. Your wonderful chandeliers hang in several rooms, so we have become good friends to the outside world. You and your work are famous throughout Europe, and many estates and hotels vie for the chance to have one of your creations. As each is handblown, they are prized for their beauty and rarity.”
Lissa laughed softly. “Tio, you should do all my marketing for me.”
“It is the truth, yes?”
“Perhaps. But I doubt if I’m famous. Well, my chandeliers are becoming popular in hotels, and I’ve been written up in a few magazines. That’s helped to get my name out there. I like that I can contribute to the farm. Everyone works hard to make it a success and the last couple of years, I’ve been able to help out.”
“You can travel easily into any country with no suspicion,” Luigi pointed out.
“It is a help.” She sighed. “If your heart is set on making me take a bodyguard, I will take Arturo. I’ve known him the longest.”
Casimir knew Arturo had slowed down considerably. He’d been with Luigi for years and Luigi didn’t have the heart to retire him. Arturo always accompanied Luigi when he went out, but Luigi always took two bodyguards.
“Giacinta…”
“Lissa,” she insisted. “You have to call me Lissa, even when we’re alone. You have to think of me as Lissa Piner. I can get away with calling you Tio, because of your age. It makes it more proper for me to spend time in your home, but you have to remember I am Lissa.”
Luigi sighed. “I’ll do better. I’m not so young anymore. Where are you going? Arturo has to be able to prepare.”
“I’ll be going to Salvadore’s. Arturo doesn’t have to do a thing. There is no danger to me if I go out tonight. No one knows of my plans. Arturo won’t attract undue attention. You know if anyone else goes with me, someone will notice. I’m not going out as Lissa.”
What the hell did that mean? Not Lissa? Then who? Casimir didn’t wait to hear any more. He had to escape to his room. Lissa would think she’d won this round. She’d guess he was sulking. Deep inside, where no one could see, he grinned. There was a ring of truth in her voice when she’d told her uncle where she would be meeting her contact. Casimir simply had to ensure he was close to her table and could overhear everything she said. If possible, he would even be bold enough to plant a listening device.
All the better to hear, my living flame, he whispered to the empty room. He made his way to the vent where he had secured his suitcase filled with his tricks of the trade. He could be anyone. Anywhere. Any time. He was a master of disguise. She might have guessed he was a Prakenskii, but then, she was family. She was around five of his brothers all the time. Few people knew them, but she was observant and she probably suspected Gavriil and the others would never allow her to go to Europe where their mortal enemy resided without some kind of backup.
It took less than an hour to decide on his next role, receive the word he was off duty for the evening and make a show of retiring to his room early. It took much longer to become the man he hoped Lissa wouldn’t see through. This time there would be no identifying marks of any kind and he would be older. Nothing she might associate with Tomasso.
Casimir slipped out the window, made his way over the roof to the other side of the house, away from the courtyard and garage where the cars were stashed. He had a bicycle in the potting shed. The shed was overgrown with vines and had long since fallen into a state of disrepair.
The bike was a good one and he practically flew down the narrow track that ran alongside the drive. The dirt pathway was used by the gardeners to drag bags of weeds, cut grasses and branches out of sight of the main house. He turned onto the road and put on another burst of speed. It wouldn’t do to be caught by Lissa and Arturo anywhere near the estate. His new role was rather distinctive and they wouldn’t fail to remember him. Never a good thing when she was already so suspicious.