Raise Your Heart

Chapter 22

Watching Maria's elated reaction was like witnessing true happiness. Trinity didn't believe she'd ever felt as happy as Maria currently was. To feel so, was completely foreign. Not only that, to be able to express it so openly was captivating. Trinity couldn't stop her own smile.

"I think she's happy," Petra laughed.

"Oh my God! Yes, yes, I'm so very happy. We have to tell Geno. But, we'll wait until we're alone."

Interesting. Trinity thought for sure she would have wanted to announce it to everyone. Relief swept through her. Even though Gio already knew, she didn't want him re-inflamed. She still wasn't certain if he had a weapon on him or if Dante even considered it.

It was probably safe to assume he thought of it. He hadn't stayed alive by being careless. It gave Trinity pause. This was something she was going to have to get used to. Dante going on trips and conducting business, most of it illegal. What if he were ever caught? He would have to go to prison, and that would leave her alone.

Was it like in the movies? She'd seen a few mafia flicks, but not a ton. Even so, it was enough to cause her worry. But she knew what she was getting into. She knew the moment she unzipped her husband's body bag.

"Excuse me, girls. I'm going to go find my husband," Maria patted Trinity's hand with a wink.

Trinity sagged against the counter and groaned.

"Welcome to the Venturi family," Petra announced. "Had enough yet?"

"Just about."

"Oh, hey. I forgot to tell ya. I've been so busy."

"Tell me what?"

"I'm moving."

"What?"

"Yup. That's why it took me so long to get here. I had to make all sorts of arrangements."

"I don't get it. I thought you were at conferences. And, how did you know I was staying?"

"Umm, news flash, I'm super good at predictions...and lying. And if you think I wouldn't follow you, you're crazy. I'm going to work for one of our hotels out here, and that's that. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I'm game for a new adventure."

"You'd seriously drop your life and move home for me?"

"You, that baby, and for me, Trin. Family is where home is. It's not a state or a house. It's where I'm loved. Simple."

"You're so lucky. I wish my brain functioned like yours."

"Me too. It would be so much easier," Petra busted out laughing.

"Oh you!"

"There you are. You need to stay by my side, Trin. I got worried."

"I'm with her, Ren Ren. You have nothing to fear when Petra is near. Ha! I rhymed."

"Wow," Dante turned away from his cousin. "Did you tell my mother you're pregnant? Because she keeps winking at me."

"No. She guessed it just by looking at me. I wasn't about to lie to her."

Dante nodded. "No, that's good," he cleared his throat and scratched his temple. "Did you, ah, want to see my childhood bedroom?"

"Oh gah-ross, Dante! What the hell?"

"What?" Trinity asked confused.

"Don't pay attention to her. She has fits of weird. It can't be explained."

"Um...okay?"

Trinity followed Dante up the same back stairwell Mirabella used, but this time they continued past a bathroom and down a long hall to another flight of stairs where they reached a third floor. Dante's room was the very last one down the hall.