Harbour of Refuge (6 page)

Enzo didn’t hesitate—he followed his brother up to the second floor and the room that had three cribs in it. Peering over the top of one was his niece, Cynzia Toni. She was the youngest and the smallest of the triplets. Michael Giuseppe—named after Gio’s best friend who’d perished in an unfortunate plane accident and Enzo’s father—was the first born and the largest. Then came Dante Gianni, middle child. Both boys were still out, but Cynzia whimpered.

“I’ll get her,” he told his brother. “Hello, sweetheart.” He lifted her free of the crib.

She’d stolen his heart the moment he’d first laid eyes upon her. Despite him not being known to her, she hadn’t cried, she’d just curled up into him and breathed soft little puffs against his skin. Her trust humbled him. The same happened now. Her cries stopped as he held her to his chest.

“She wet?”

“Yes. I’ll let you get that,” he said with a grin.

Gio muttered something impolite in Italian, which had him smiling. By the time Cynzia had been put into a clean, dry diaper, the others had woken, and the men worked together to get them all downstairs, where they put them in the walkers and allowed them to find their way around.

Jaydee came home a while later and he met her with a smile. “Hello, Jaydee.”

A slight smile lifted her lips as she turned from her husband to him. “Enzo. Good to see you.”

He knew he wouldn’t get a hug unless he instigated it, so he did. She returned it, then stepped back. He didn’t take any offence—he knew Jaydee wasn’t someone who showed much affection to anyone other than her children and husband. Oh, and Lexy.

“And you, you’re looking amazing.”

His compliment went unheeded. She just wasn’t into them. Regardless, he loved his sister-in-law, quirks and all. Her emotions became visible when she saw her children and pressed kisses to them all.

“How’s she doing?” he asked Gio.

“She’s good. Settling into motherhood.”

“And you?”

Gio gave a short bark of laughter. “I was wrong when I thought I didn’t get any sleep as a pilot.”

Despite the laugh, Enzo picked up on the pain. “How are you handling it?”

No answer was forthcoming, so he glanced to his brother. Gio’s expression said it all. “I’m okay. I won’t lie and say I don’t miss it, but I wouldn’t change what I have now for anything at all.”

He’d bet not. Despite the way his brother had looked when he’d talked about his flying, as both a fighter pilot and a test pilot, Enzo had never seen Gio look as content as he did when the man gazed at the woman he loved more than anything, or any of their children. Still, it had to be hard for a man who’d dedicated his life to serving his country to no longer be flying.

“Family life looks good on you.”

“Feels good. Now, enough about me, tell me more about Halyn.”

Jaydee walked by, not even pausing to ask who Halyn was. Another of her quirks—she didn’t do small talk.

“Not much to tell.”

“Really?” Gio’s tone told him of his disbelief.

“Really. I just don’t know that much about her.”

“You call her. I want to meet her. I’ll give you some privacy.” Gio walked off.

Heaving a sigh, Enzo walked to the couch and lowered himself to the smooth leather. Phone in hand, he scrolled down until he located the number she’d left for him at the hotel.

After he’d taken her back to bed and had her once more they’d fallen asleep again. When he’d woken, he was alone. Frustrated she’d managed to sneak out, he had got to the number, inputted it in his phone and had gone on with his day, all the while thoughts of Halyn Jennings lingering in the back of his mind.

Memories of her kept him up at night. And kept him aroused. It was nothing but images of Halyn that brought him release in showers or in his bed. But it was more than that, he’d not been with another woman since Halyn, despite what the papers liked to say.

Get on with it
.

He swallowed, smiled at Cynzia who’d wheeled herself to his feet and pressed the ‘call’ button.

It rang three times before a voice that had haunted his dreams answered. “Hello?”

“Halyn?” As if he didn’t know.

“Yes. Who is…Enzo?”

He grinned. “You remember me.”

She chuckled. “You’re not an easy man to forget.”

Smugness now. “Good.”

“How was your race in Dubai?”

“We did really well overall, thanks.”

“Congrats. Was there something I could do for you?”

He could think up a whole lot of things she could do for him that would make him an extremely happy man. Couldn’t say them though. Not right now.

“How are you?” He opted for a safe question.

“I’m doing fine. And yourself?”

“Good.” Take the bull by the horns. “I’m in Oregon.”

Silence. “Your race isn’t for a week yet.” She paused. “You did say you had family there. Are you visiting them? How are they?”

“You know when my race is?”

“Mila takes great pains to remind me daily that the man I shagged in Monte Carlo would be coming here soon.”

“So you’ve not been watching the schedule.”

“I’ve checked it a time or two. I had plans to go down and see if I could see you.”

He would like that. “You said ‘here’, are you close to where the race will be?”

“You could say that. Same town.”

She was close, so tantalisingly close. He bit back a groan and reached out to stroke a knuckle down the cheek of the little girl watching him.

“Go on a date with me,” Enzo blurted out.

“When?”

He was a bit surprised she agreed so quickly. “Tonight?”

“I can do that. Do you know the town very well?”

“No, but I can ask my brother where things are.” So focused on how he’d be seeing her soon, he almost missed the name of the restaurant she gave him. “Is it formal?”

“No. Simple fare. I can be there about seven.”

“Sounds good. Am I keeping you from something?”

“I’m at work actually, and was on my break when you called, so I have to get going. I’ll see you tonight, Enzo. I’m…really glad you called.” She hung up.

He stared at his phone and sighed. “I’ve got it bad, Cynzia. Really bad.”

She grinned at him, babbling as she played with the dry cereal on the tray before her.

“Thank you,” he said when she offered him one. He crunched it and looked up to see his brother standing there. “Yes?”

“Just thinking how much fun it’ll be when you have kids of your own.”

“Not for a while yet, thank you very much.”

“Do we get to meet her?”

“Always to the point, big brother.” Gio shrugged. “I’m having dinner with her tonight.”

“Bring her here for dessert.”

“How do you know she’s here?”

“Because you’re not hightailing it out of here.”

With a wink for his niece, he got to his feet. “I need some directions from you.”

“Gonna stake out the place and wait for her to arrive?”

He flipped his brother off and walked to the kitchen, where Jaydee was cutting up an apple. She gave him a smile but left him to his own thoughts.

That was good, because where his thoughts were headed, his sister-in-law did
not
need to accompany him.

* * * *

Halyn was on edge for the rest of the day. Time seemed to slow and barely tick by. Yes, she was watching it furiously. Who wouldn’t, knowing they had a date with Enzo Cassano later on that night?

Finally the work day finished and she headed out of the store to her car, dialling Mila on the way.

“Hey!” her friend said when she answered.

“He called.”

Mila didn’t say anything for a few seconds then screamed into the phone. Halyn held it away from her ear. “Oh my God. I told you, I
told
you, he wanted more than just that one night with you. Details, now. And can I just say I hate you.”

Laughing, Halyn filled her in on the short call. She didn’t tell her where they were going—she knew Mila would show up—and as wrong as it might be, Halyn wanted him to herself as much as possible.

Once home, she showered and changed into a pair of well-worn jeans and a plum T-shirt. She put on some slip-on shoes and grabbed her purse before heading back to her car. Work had run on and she had to hustle so she wouldn’t be late.

The music blared in her car as she drove through the coastal city, but it didn’t do much to calm her nerves. At the parking lot, she shut off the engine and sat there for a few seconds, trying to get herself back under control. It had been a long time since she’d seen him, but she’d never forgotten him.

Climbing out, she shouldered her purse then walked to the front door. Her heart sped up when her gaze landed on the handsome man loitering outside, waiting for someone. Waiting for her.

He must have been searching for her, because his head popped up and a wide grin filled his expression. She swallowed as lust broadsided her. He looked delicious, clad in jeans and a black shirt, his hair teasing his collar.

She halted and enjoyed the view of him approaching her. His gait was smooth and powerful. When he stood before her, she inhaled sharply, allowing his scent to flow over her.

“Hello, Halyn.”

She tipped her head back to meet his gaze. Flashes of their time in the hotel together swam before her eyes. “Hello, Enzo.”

He shook his head and said, “Damn, I want to kiss you.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“Nothing now,” he uttered, lowering his head.

He kept the kiss light but it was still powerful. She whimpered and tightened her hand on her purse to keep from grabbing him.

“Oh yeah, I’ve missed that,” Enzo said.

The words were rumbled and she swiped her tongue along her lips as her gaze dipped briefly to the crotch of his jeans.
I’ve missed that
.

“Ready to eat?” she questioned, glancing back up to his face.
Please say no and that you want to go back to my place or your hotel.

“Ready.” He placed one hand along the small of her back and gently guided her through the doorway, holding open the solid wood door with his other hand.

Inside, the familiarity of the place made her smile. She loved it here—good food, great atmosphere.

“Hi, Halyn!” Calls came from around the bar as they entered.

“Hey, guys,” she replied easily.

“You’re well known here,” he murmured in her ear as they were led to a table by Victoria, the greeter.

“Here you go. Your server will be with you shortly.”

“Thanks, Vicki,” Halyn said with a smile.

“Not a problem. Good to see you out.”

They were left alone and she stared at Enzo. He’d looked good in Monte Carlo, but that paled in comparison to how he looked now. Maybe her memories of him weren’t quite up to scratch. She peered out of the window and descried the water as it crashed upon the rocks and beach of Chamberton. They would have to go to another part of the city to see the docks where all the powerboats would be moored. This was a much more secluded area.

“Come here often?”

She tore her gaze from the beauty of nature and put it back on the man across from her. “Not as much as I’d like. I used to work here when I first moved here. So I know them pretty well.”

“Where did you move here from?”

They placed their drink orders before she answered. “The Midwest. I went to college in Portland and fell in love with the area. Mila had a boyfriend who lived in Chamberton and I accompanied her here once. It was like coming home to me. So I stayed.”

His eyes darkened but their drinks arrived and he didn’t speak. When they were left alone again, he sipped some of his beer and watched her.

“What?” she asked, feeling a bit self-conscious.

“Nothing. Tell me more.”

“Not much to tell. I have a store here and I keep busy.”

“Does Mila live here too?”

She didn’t even want to acknowledge the spear of pain that question brought her. Swallowing some of her peach tea, she nodded. “Yes. She and her boyfriend live together.”

“Good for her.”

Wait? That was it about Mila?

Why are you giving her any thought at all? Had he wanted Mila, he would have found a way to call her. Not you. Get it together, girl, he is out with you.
The mental pep talk helped her calm down.

“Are we ready here?”

At the intruding question, Halyn looked to see Patti standing there with an expectant smile on her face. Enzo shot her a questioning glance and she gave a nod. She knew what she wanted—she’d been craving a burger. They placed their orders and were again left.

“Tell me about your family. How are they?”

Her heart melted a tiny bit at the way his face brightened. “Wonderful. I spent the day with my niece and nephews. Well, my brother and sister-in-law also, but they weren’t as cute.”

She smiled. “How old are the triplets?”

“Eight months. Michael, Dante and Cynzia.”

Children. A warm feeling filled her and she bit off a sigh as it grew painful. She wanted kids. However, sometimes life threw a person curve balls.

“Sound adorable.”

“They are.”

“Any of your other siblings married or have kids?”

A shadow passed over his face before he masked it. “No.” The word was final as if he didn’t wish to progress further.

She could respect his wish. Unsure of what to say next, she took another drink and sent up a prayer of thanks when their food arrived. She gave Patti a smile.

“Enjoy.” Patti walked off.

“My brother wants to meet you.”

The announcement startled her such that she almost dropped the saltshaker over her piping hot fries. “Excuse me?”

“My brother, Gio. He would like to meet you. He’s invited us to their house for dessert.”

Ignoring the slight tremble in her hand, she replaced the saltshaker. “I see.”

“We don’t have to go. But I’d like you to meet him as well.”

That bit was unexpected. She swallowed. “You want me to meet your family?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He seemed to pick up on her tension. “I like you, Halyn. A lot. We don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Gio wanted me to offer it.”

She was ashamed. Holding up a hand, she shook her head slightly. “No, I’m sorry, it was my past jumping out there. I’d love to meet them.”