Tiptoe Kisses

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

In Chapter 13 I first gave clues about Clayton Simon only no one knew he existed or that he was involved with Nathan at the time.  I hope this chapter pulls it together to make that chapter more understandable.  It took a long time for me to write this and it’s been difficult not to reveal just how much of a role Taylor’s father’s profession has affected her life and still is.  Enjoy…..

The weather was predicted to be overcast for the day, but the clouds stayed away throughout the funeral service.  Everett would have been pleased to know that the people he enjoyed doing business with all showed up to say goodbye to him.  Taylor feels the comfort of Santo’s arms around her.  He worried about bringing her here but he worries about taking her anywhere since Nathan abducted her. 

Taylor looks behind her at the concerned face of Alberto.  It seems lately she can’t convince either man that she is fine they constantly hover over her.  Several of Santo’s security team also stand nearby.  Taylor looks sadly around the cemetery thinking it’s a shame that Everett had to suffer through so much but she’s happy he died knowing he was loved by at least one woman.  His personal assistant sits near his casket tears slowly run down her red cheeks.

No one expects Alina to be here but she is an unpredictable creature.  Police dot the landscape just in case it does happen.  The FBI has several agents in attendance and she hasn’t figured out if someone is here from the CIA or not.  Taylor wonders if Alina even knows or cares that the husband she was so inconsiderate of is being buried today.  His will is being read next week, of course that might bring her out of hiding.

As the mourners make their way out of the cemetery to their vehicles far away on a dirt road that overlooks the cemetery sits a black SUV.  Inside is a woman holding a pair of binoculars in her lap.  She’s filled with controllable rage.  Alina’s not upset that she isn’t able to say a proper goodbye to the deceased man who was her husband for the last five years.   The only thing she’s sorry about is that he didn’t die sooner.  Maybe she wouldn’t be on the run or in hiding.  The FBI and CIA wouldn’t be looking for her.   She would be able to come and go as she pleases.  Santo Donati would be holding on to her instead of that pregnant slut gripping his arm as they walk to his car. 

Santo looks around him at the cars parked not far away and the faces of the people attending the funeral.  He’s sure that Alina is here somewhere.   She’s a vindictive greedy woman.  She would want to make sure that Everett is dead before she risk going after any possible inheritance.

He carefully escorts Taylor to their car.  They say their goodbyes to his parents, he wants to get Taylor home.  The morning sickness has subsided but she gets tired quickly.  After Nathan grabbed her at the restaurant Santo has tried not to let his paranoia get the best of him.

He’s not sure if their relationship is getting back on track.  He received some hope for it a couple of nights ago when they had dinner with Reese and Serena, they’re engaged.  Reese got Serena a colossal engagement ring.  Santo could tell Taylor was happy for them but she kept looking at Serena’s ringed hand with envy.

Santo bought her a ring about a month ago, but with everything that’s going on he’s not sure she would say yes if he asked her right now.  He believes she loves him.  But the relationship she had with Nathan still after all this time haunts him.  She hasn’t told him everything that was said between them when Nathan held her hostage at the restaurant. 

Each time he ask her anything about the incident she doesn’t want to talk about it.   He’s trying to be patient but it eats at him.  He worries that Nathan has gotten into her head.  She’s become moody and defensive.  His mother told him she’s a pregnant woman he needs to be patient with her but he worries, he’s not sure if that’s it.  He’s never been so afraid of a woman’s rejection.