Daughter of the Mafia

Mystery Man: Part 12

Jaci turned to see a boy there, deep blue eyes peering at her from underneath a knit gray beanie that only highlighted the color of his eyes. Strands of dark blond hair framed his ears and neck, and he flashed a smile. His eyes crinkled when he did, and Jaci couldn't help smiling back.

Amanda didn't even skip a beat as she moved around Jaci to face the boy. "I'm afraid I might need some help getting in touch with my creative side."

The boy nodded toward the paintings. "There are classes every week," he said, his lilting English accent perfectly clear. "How long are you here? Perhaps you could take a lesson."

The deep blue eyes swept toward Jaci again, and she lowered her gaze, then lifted her eyes, unable to keep herself from looking at him.

"A class sounds great," Amanda said, her gaze flitting from the boy to Jaci. "I didn't catch your name. I'm Amanda. Are you from here?"

He plopped his hand out. "I'm Finn. You're here for the tour of the opera house, right?" He checked a watch. "Right on time."

Mr. Murphy had caught up to them, and he frowned. "We didn't book a tour."

"No, that's okay," Finn said. "I pick up interested groups here at the plaza. We meet here."

"I don't think—" began Mr. Murphy, but Jaci interrupted.

"We were talking about seeing an opera. I think it would be great to tour the opera house. It's such a beautiful building." She shot Amanda a look, but she could see that Amanda had already caught on.

"Let's do it, Dad."

Mr. Murphy shrugged. "Okay."

Finn led the way, pointing out architectural trends and speaking of the political history of the square. The whole time, Jaci's heart pounded harder and harder, thrumming in her chest and throat. The moment of escape couldn't be far now.

Finn glanced at Jaci, and his mouth curved upward in a teasing lilt. "Judging from how you shiver, you must be cold."

Jaci didn't feel cold. She felt sick and nervous and shaky. But she only nodded.

"Here." Finn shrugged out of his jacket and placed it around Jaci's shoulders.

She gave him a startled glance and then tried to go with it. "Thanks. You're very kind."

Amanda snorted next to her. "Kind?" she mouthed when Jaci looked at her.

Jaci tried again, for Mr. Murphy's benefit. She flashed Finn a smile. "I'm lucky you found us."

She glanced at Amanda's dad, but he seemed oblivious to them, instead asking questions about the opera house. Which Finn answered, proving that not only was he a native, but he was very educated.

They dawdled at the opera house for two hours, during which time Finn moved closer to Jaci until he practically walked in her shadow. Amanda snapped lots of pictures, acting fascinated by the history.

Finn took them to a cafe for lunch and asked them about their home.

"Obviously we're American," Amanda said. "From a little podunk town in Idaho."

"I know you're American." Finn leaned across the table and whispered conspiratorially, "Your accent gave you away."

"I'm sure you mean our lack of accent," Amanda said, cupping her mug of hot chocolate. "Because we speak English perfectly."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Not according to my British neighbors in the east."

Jaci grinned. "He has a point, Amanda. It's all relative."