Sempre (Forever Series #1)(121)

“You owed her?”

“Yes, I did, but why is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is I never made it up to her.”

“Does that mean you’re gonna help?”

He cut his eyes at him. “I vouched for her, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, you did, but . . .” Carmine trailed off, glancing out at Haven in the yard. “What about her mom? Can’t you help her?”

“I can’t help everyone. There will always be someone, somewhere, who needs something.”

“I know, but this isn’t just someone,” Carmine said. “This is her family, like we’re family.”

Corrado’s stare was hard. “You’re playing the family card?”

“I, uh . . .” Carmine hesitated, but there was no point denying it. “Yes.”

“You’re certain you want to do that?”

Corrado’s tone made Carmine question it momentarily. Did he? “Sure.”

Turning to the window, Corrado shook his head. “The most I can do is let her live in my home. It’s a risk, but frankly, after vouching for your girlfriend, I doubt it’s possible to dig myself in any deeper. If I die, that’ll be what kills me. Everything else is extra.” Corrado turned to Michael, who still sat quietly in his chair. “Any objections, Antonelli?”

Michael stammered. He hadn’t heard a word of what they’d said. “Uh, I . . . well, I don’t know.”

Corrado raised an eyebrow, the look on his face enough to make Carmine balk. “What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I mean . . .” He shook his head. “Sure, it’s fine with me.”

Corrado turned around. “We’ll handle it all tonight, then. Drop Haven off at the hotel and come back. It should be settled by then.”

* * *

Carmine finally made his way outside. As soon as Haven spotted him, a cold sense of dread settled deep within her. He paused a few feet away. “I’ll give you a minute.”

Her mama pulled her into a hug, tears streaming from her eyes, but a radiant smile shined from her lips. “You don’t know how much it means to me to see you like this. My baby girl, with the world at her fingertips.”

Haven squeezed her tightly. “I love you, Mama.”

“I love you too. I always have. I want you to go out there and live your life.”

Her chest ached at having to leave her again. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too, but the world is a better place with you in it,” her mama said, pulling from the hug. “Now get away from this place. I’m happy to see you again, but I’ll be happier knowing you’re out there living.”

“But I can’t leave you here, Mama. Not again.”

“Hush,” she said sternly. “Don’t worry about me.”

Haven tried to speak, wanting to object, but her mama didn’t give her a chance.

“Go,” she said again. “You found your place in the world. Don’t let me hold you back from it.”

Haven covered her mouth as tears blurred her vision. Taking a few steps back, she gave her mama one last look before running for the car.

41

It was pitch black when Carmine made it back to the ranch that night, the dry desert air still scorching. He started toward the house, irritable and uncomfortable, but froze when the front door opened. Miranda walked out, her eyes darting around wildly. Even in the darkness, Carmine could make out a faint hand-shaped mark on her throat.

“Who did this to you?” Carmine asked. “I’ll f**king kill them.”

Panic flashed in Miranda’s expression. “Please don’t make a scene.”

He fought to keep a grip on his temper. “It’s wrong.”

“I know, but . . . please.” She stepped into the yard, nervousness in her expression. She worried she was being watched. “I remember when your mama visited. She used to talk about a world outside of this place for my daughter. She said Haven was special.”

Hearing those words made Carmine’s chest ache with longing. “She is.”

“It means a lot to hear you say that. I hardly recognize my daughter, you know. She’s still that sweet baby girl I raised, but she’s happy. She’s better off away from all of this.” She walked away but paused after a few steps. “I heard someone talking about safe houses once and how they helped people get free. They called them havens. I named her that because she was my haven. She was my safe place in this ugly world. When she was born, I had a reason to live. My baby girl, my Haven, needed to be protected. I’ve done all I can, so I’m asking you to look out for her out there. Keep her away from people like these. Can you do that?”

Carmine was stunned at the trust she placed in him. “Yes.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I can rest easy now.”

The front door opened and Miranda bolted for the stables before he could say another word. Carmine glanced at the porch as Corrado stepped out, his eyebrows raised. “Did you tell her?”

“No, you scared her away before I could.”

A loud screeching ricocheted from the house. Footsteps pounded across the floor as a woman’s voice echoed out to them. “My brother vouched for that little bitch?”

Carmine went up the steps, but Corrado grabbed his shirt to stop him. “Don’t say anything.”