When You're Back(64)

“Then let’s forget the past and start over,” Mase said.

Aida beamed up at him. “Really?”

He nodded. “Really.”

I wanted to believe her. But something in my gut was telling me this wasn’t sincere.





Mase


Something was bothering Reese. I couldn’t figure out what, and if I tried to talk to her about it, she went silent. It was almost a relief to arrive in Chicago. My hope was that she needed to see her new family, that she was anxious to see them again though nervous about talking to Benedetto about her past. I just needed to know that was what was making her act so jumpy.

I was used to her telling me things and opening up to me. This was different. It was like she’d put up a wall and refused to let me in. It scared the hell out of me. If this was because Aida was staying with my parents for a couple of weeks, then I’d send Aida home. I just needed Reese to tell me what was wrong. I felt so damn helpless.

Benedetto met us at baggage claim, and surprisingly, Reese headed straight into his arms for a hug. I had expected her to be standoffish until she had a chance to speak to him about everything that was bothering her.

“I missed you,” he said with a look of joy in his eyes as he held her.

“I missed you, too,” she replied as she pulled back. “Thanks for having us on such short notice.

Benedetto frowned. “Never apologize for coming to see me. My house is yours. Always, passerotta.”

Reese’s grandmother also referred to her as passerotta, which she had informed me was a term of endearment that meant “little sparrow.”

“Nonna is very anxious for me to get you home,” he added, picking up her suitcase and looking over at me. “It is good to see you again, Mase.”

“Likewise, sir,” I replied. I picked up my suitcase and placed my hand on Reese’s back.

“I’m glad you’re here. Last time, when you left, Reese’s thoughts went with you. She had a hard time.”

“I had a hard time leaving her here,” I replied.

Benedetto seemed pleased with that answer and turned to lead us out to the waiting silver Escalade that his personal driver had pulled up to the curb.

“You both sit together in the back. I’ll sit up here with Hernaldo,” Benedetto instructed. “Raul wanted to come pick you up, but his afternoon classes kept him from it. He’s very anxious to see you both again.”

Reese strongly resembled her brother Raul. It was strange looking into his eyes and seeing some of Reese there. Her brother hadn’t been bitter that he was no longer an only child but had embraced having an older sister and seemed genuinely happy to spend time with Reese.

“I look forward to seeing him,” Reese said, and I knew she meant it. No matter what pain she still harbored for her father, she adored her brother.

“Nonna will want all of your attention first, of course. She’s already ordered high tea for your arrival. I expect she’ll be in her Sunday best,” he told Reese with a wink.

Reese laughed and looked up at me. I wished she’d grown up with this life, with this loving, warm, safe family supporting her. But at least she had it now. That was something to be thankful for.

“I spoke with Nonna last week,” Reese told him. “She was asking when I’d be back for a visit.”

Benedetto nodded. “Oh, yes, she’s been on pins and needles since your call the other day letting us know you were coming.”

Once we were all settled into the SUV, the small talk continued. Reese sat close to me, letting me hold her hand in mine. Maybe this was all that had been bothering her. I hoped it was over now and I’d be able to get past that wall she’d put up.

It wasn’t long before we pulled up to the iron gates of the DeCarlo estate. The first time I’d visited, I’d had to fight off feeling furious that Reese had been struggling to survive while the man who had given her life lived in total luxury. However, the pure joy on the man’s face as he got to know Reese slowly dissolved my bitterness. I believed that he hadn’t known where to find her. Whatever had kept him away was no longer important. He was in her life now.

Nonna opened the front door wide, and she was beaming as she called Reese’s name.

“I’ll help your dad. You go visit your nonna,” I told her, then pressed a kiss to her lips before she turned and hurried up toward her grandmother.

“She’s good for Nonna,” Benedetto said behind me.

“Nonna is good for Reese, too,” I told him.

He nodded, and a look of concern crossed his face. “I wish she’d always had this family. I wish a lot of things, but I did what I thought was best.”