Daughter of the Mafia

Switzerland: Part 3

It was too dark to see Seth's features clearly, but she heard his quick intake of air.

"When did you talk to Dad?" he demanded.

"I emailed him when I started getting the notes."

"And?" Seth said. "Where is he? Is he ever coming home?"

"I don't know. He didn't say. He just wanted to know about the notes."

Seth took a deep breath, obviously warring with his emotions. "It's fine." He stood, brushing the palms of his hands on his thighs. "He's gotten on with his life. Does Mom know?"

Jaci frowned. "No. But not because I haven't tried to tell her." Every time Jaci brought up the conversation she'd had in the hospital with the detective, the one where he mentioned having contact with her father, her mom changed the subject. The last time when Jaci tried to be more forthright, her mom had said sharply, "Jaci, your father is a wanted man. He is not a part of our lives, and that is his choice. Leave it be."

End of subject.

Seth shrugged. "His career choice is a little confusing. But anyway. Mom wanted to know if you want dinner."

"I'll come downstairs."

Only Ricky remained in the kitchen when Jaci entered, and he stood at the window, his back to her, his phone pressed to his ear. Jaci stepped up behind him, the urge to wrap her arms around him and rest her head on his back swallowed up by timidity from the newness of the relationship. Instead she twirled a strand of hair.

"Yeah, I'll be ready. See you soon." Ricky pressed the end call button and turned around, nearly bumping into her. "Hey." He touched her shoulder. "You good?"

She bobbed her head. "Yeah."

He closed the distance between them and did what she hadn't been able to, wrapping his arms around her and folding her against him. Then his lips were on her cheek, her eyebrow. And finally they found her lips, his mouth caressing hers gently, urging her worries and tensions out of her body.

When he pulled away, Jaci leaned her head on his chest and just breathed.

"How did I survive without you all these years?" she whispered.

Ricky's arms tightened around her. "Do you want to talk about anything?"

She thought maybe he meant Joey, the funeral, or any of the number of events that led up to Joey's death, but then it occurred to her that maybe he was asking about the two of them. He had been her rock after her kidnapping two years ago. But then he'd moved away.

"Just stay with me. As long as you're here, I can get through this."

Ricky's eyes careened sideways and he shifted, leaving Jaci with the distinct impression that there was something more he needed to say. She took a step backward.

"What is it?"

His gaze landed on her again, and he gave a small shrug. "That was Neal. I need to go home."

An icy pain flashed through Jaci's chest, as physical as a cold piece of metal piercing her skin. Of course. Now that the danger had passed, he would have to go back. She cursed herself for not remembering that small detail. He fit into her life like a puzzle piece she'd been looking for for years. Now the thought of returning to the broken jigsaw nearly sent her into a panic.

She tried for courage, acting as if this was expected and no big deal. "When are you going?" Her voice cracked on the question.

"Like, a week ago." He said it with humor, but his eyes were serious.