Chapter Fifteen

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out to see who is calling me. I smile a little when I see Luca Baldinis number on the screen.

"Luca," I say, placing the phone on speaker so that I can continue to use both hands while I talk to him.

I step back from the canvas on the easel in front of me and look at it with my head tilted to the side. It looks like Kate already, and I have only just begun to rough out the image.

It has been a long time since I chose to paint, but I'm glad to see that my talent has not deserted me.

"She wants to see you."

I have to admit that I appreciate how direct Luca is. He never beats around the bush.

"Fine. When?" I ask, picking up my paint brush and sweeping it over the background of the image to fill in some of the blank space with color.

"Tonight."

I smile again and dip my brush into the jug of water on the table next to me.

"Fine," I reply. I let Luca hang up the call since my hands are occupied with my art.

I step back again from the painting and try to decide how much color to place in Kate's cheeks. Should I paint her the way she looks right after she's enjoyed an orgasm, flushed and panting? Or should I paint her the way that she looks when she has gotten dressed up to go out for the night?

I decide I like freshly-fucked Kate the best and start mixing up some red paint to use to fill in her cheeks. As I swirl colors together on my palette, I realize I have missed painting more than I thought. Kate used to love my art and she encouraged me to paint anything that I wanted after I came back from training sessions with my father.

Often, the images were dark and depressing, because my heart felt like pulp in my chest and my dreams were filled with blood and violence. She had never asked what the painting meant and had simply told me that my talent was a gift and placed another clean canvas on the easel before me.

I realize now, that these actions were signs of her love for me. As a young man who was spoiled and indulged, I had believed that it was the duty of everyone to treat me in this fashion.

When my father died, I realized just how wrong that impression had been. The world did not spoil you just because you were a powerful man. People who loved you spoiled you because they loved you.

Was that what she was so angry about? Did she resent helping me to manage my demons without getting any such care in kind? Even if that was not the reason that she had run away to Marco for help, it was surely a failing that I needed to correct now.

I thought about what we should do tonight during our visit. I want her to trust me, to know that I value her for more than just her body. However, I know that I cannot show her the love that she clearly desires.

It's a trick tightrope that I will have to walk and I admit to myself that I will be tricking her into thinking I care in a way that I never can.

However, I do remember a few things about the way that civilized men act and I have some ideas about the ways that I can impress upon her that I am actually trying to date her this time and earn her affection.

I grin at the idea that comes to mind and paint another flourish on the canvas before me. Yes, I think my new tactic will work very well.

***

I tap my foot as the security person sends the bag I brought with me through the X-ray machine. I'm impressed that the Baldinis have created what is essentially an airport security checkpoint to get into and out of the house.

Even the family members pass through it when they come and go from their homes. However, it does add an unnecessary amount of time to the process of getting into the mansion, which I find to be tedious.

"Here you go, sir," the security person says, passing my backpack over to me now that it has been scanned and checked.

"Thanks," I tell the man even though I feel like being churlish.

"This way," Luca tells me, as if I don't remember where Kate's little bedroom is in the huge house.

I look at the art hanging on the walls, the vases and tapestries scattered around us as we walk. My heels echo on the cold, stone floors.

I don't think that the Baldinis have the best taste and I find it to be confusing that this huge home seems to be largely uninhabited these days. It could have housed all of the Baldini boys and their families with ease, but I suppose maybe they can't get along with one another if they live in such close proximity.

"Have fun," Luca says to me with a broad wink when we come to the hallway that leads to Kate's room. A security person stands outside the door, and they step aside to let me in.

I wonder if they have security following her all day long, or if this is just a special touch due to my presence.

I step into Kate's room, which is empty. I feel my heart sink a little. I was hoping she would have let me meet our son this time.

"Amore?" I call, closing the door behind me. I set the backpack down against the wall and lean my back against the door.

I don't have to wait long before Kate comes out of the bathroom. She is dressed in tight jeans and a silky top today and I have to admit that she looks amazing.

There's something ethereal and timeless about her looks. You could drop her into any decade and she would be considered a beauty.

"Are we using loving nicknames again?" she says skeptically. She is fastening a bracelet around her wrist and she shakes her arm a little to ensure it is firmly clasped before looking up at me again.

"Would you rather that I didn't?" I ask her.

She shrugs. "Whatever makes you comfortable is fine with me." She takes a seat on the edge of the bed and crosses her legs. "You wanted to talk to me?"

I shake my head. "No, I wanted to spend time with you."

She makes a face at this as if she doubts me, but she doesn't argue. I pick up the backpack and bring it over with me to the bed. I take a seat on the opposite side of the bed and unzip the bag.

"What's that?" she asks, crossing her arms over her chest as if they might protect her from me. "More bribes?"

I glance at her, trying not to take the bait and be annoyed, but the words irritate me. My gaze cuts over to the large vase of flowers by the bed, then back to her face. "Most women appreciate gifts, but I know that you aren't most women. I didn't bring any more presents."

She frowns a little. "So what's in the bag?"

I grin at her and I see her respond to my change of emotion for a moment against her will. I pull out a small stack of board games from my bag and set them on the bed between us. "I brought us entertainment."

She stares at the cardboard boxes for a moment, clearly caught off guard. "You want to play board games with me?" she says.

I nod and pick one of the games from the stack. I set the others on the floor. "Yes," is all I say.

She remains silent while I set up the board game that I chose, not offering to help or hinder me. I carefully open the Ziplock baggies of pieces and set up her playing piece, then dole out the other cards and fake money we both need to play the game.

"The Game of Life?" she asks me, still clearly not believing what is happening.

She looks at the colorful board game and the little cars with our single playing piece stuck in them, then meets my gaze. Her eyes are open to me at the moment, and I see sadness there, and caution, but also a flare of something dangerously like hope.

"Isn't that what we do every day?" I reply. "Aren't we always playing the game of life as best as we can?"

She snorts and starts organizing her game pieces. "Fair enough. Remind me how to play this ridiculous game. It's been years."

I chuckle. "We can relearn together. I don't remember any of the rules either."