With This Secret

Aldie walked towards me, carrying the pizza. “Ask him what?”

I couldn’t bring myself to speak out loud, so I gazed at her, hoping she would understand without me having to speak.

“Ask him what?” she asked sitting down and pulling out a slice.

I suddenly lost my courage. “Forget it,” I said, rising restlessly to my feet.

She got it then and her mouth widened into a massive oh. “It’s not like he has an ordinary business, Bianca. I don’t think he can just … leave?”

There, she said it … I had my answer. “Okay, forget I said anything.”

14

Levan

I finished my call with Sarah, who had ranted and raved at me for ten minutes straight, as I threw my phone on my desk. I couldn’t blame her. She wanted her grandson back. Rubbing the back of my neck, I watched Bianca through the window of my study.

It was late and Aldie had already been taken to a safe house where she would mostly remain until this mess was over. If things went my way, hopefully, it would be over very soon.

I’d hoped bringing Aldie here would keep Bianca occupied and take her mind off her troubles for a little while, but it seemed as if things had become even more tense and strained between us since her visit.

She had retired to the poolside the moment Aldie went, her headphones firmly glued to her ears, and her eyes closed. That was two hours ago.

For some reason, her dog had decided to stay with me. I guess, surreptitiously feeding a dog treats will make it do that. I looked down at him.

He blinked and wagged his tail encouragingly.

“Nothing is for free,” I told him. “Eventually, you have to pay for everything.”

He began to pant.

I dropped another little treat next to him.

He scoffed it down and looked up at me with begging eyes.

“Let’s go. Time to earn your keep,” I said as I turned away from the window. I had my hands in my pockets, giving the picture of a leisurely approach, but my heart was thumping in my chest. It never failed to surprise me just how undone I could become where Bianca was concerned.

As we got closer, the dog ran on ahead, taking a flying leap, landing on her. The impact almost threw her off the lounger.

Attaboy!

“Biscuit,” she scolded, but I noticed she didn’t try to push the dog away as he leaned forward and enthusiastically began to lick her face. When the dog settled on her lap, she reached for the phone that the dog’s greeting had flung out of her grasp.

I was immediately on it. Our hands came within inches of the other as I reached the device first. Our gazes met … and she jerked back. I retrieved the phone and held it out to her.

“Thank you,” she said, awkwardly yanking her earphone out of one of her ears, as she took the phone.

I didn’t miss the way she ensured that we did not make physical contact.

Holding onto the dog as if for dear life, she chewed her bottom lip nervously and stared out at the grounds beyond the pool.

“Do you know how to swim?” I asked.

“Uh … not really. I’m better at floating around.” She finished her statement with a short laugh.

“What’s amusing?”

“Me. It seems as though that’s all I’ve been doing my whole life. Floating around aimlessly.”

The dog wriggled out of her lap, and wandered away.

“It’s the same way for a lot of us. In case, you haven’t noticed,” I said softly.

“I haven’t noticed,” she said bitterly. “Everyone else seems to have their feet solidly on the ground, their lives mapped out. They do what pleases them.”

“You haven’t been paying attention then.”

She met my gaze, and this time around, held it. There was no bitterness, no anger, no blame in her eyes. The seconds ticked away and it almost seemed as though we had reached a sort of truce. Like in this moment, despite our differences, we could allow ourselves to be lost in the unspoken admiration we both held for the other.

It came to a startling end.

There was a heart twisting squeal, accompanied by a heavy plop and splash, as Biscuit fell into the water.

“Oh, my God!” she gasped shooting out of the lounger. “He can’t swim, Levan!” she shouted as she ran to the steps leading into the pool.

The dog looked fine as it paddled happily in the water.

Not one to let a golden opportunity go to waste, I was already airborne, clothes and all. I dove in close to the animal and caught it, just before it became clear that he was actually having the time of his life. I held him solidly in my arms. He’d just earned every single treat he had gotten from me.

On her knees and with relief across her face Bianca waited for our arrival by the edge of the pool. “I’m so sorry, Levan,” she apologized her arms open to receive her pup from me.