I wind my arms tighter around Ade's waist and bury my face against his chest, breathing in his alpine scent. His words sink in, and I'm feeling guilty for my outburst and fighting with him.
"I am sorry too, Ade. I didn't mean to snap at you. You're right, I should have let you take the lead. This is your scene, after all. But all I saw was that gun pointed at you, and I needed to do something."
Perhaps it was foolish to believe I could handle that unexpected turn of events, but I'm not sure I'd do anything different if I were given the chance to do it again.
"I thought Niccolo was after those papers we found yesterday, and I was happy to give them up if it meant getting rid of him quicker. They don't mean anything to me. But you, and Rhia and also Lex… you are everything to me."
Ade squeezes me tighter, his heart still thudding heavily against his chest where my head is resting. Gradually, it decelerates.
"Did he take the papers?" he asks after minutes of just standing there and holding onto each other.
"He did. But it wasn't what he was after."
Ade pulls away to look at me, frowning. "What did he want, then?"
"The necklace."
"The necklace?" Ade repeats, sounding confused. "But why?"
"I asked him, but he wouldn't say."
I snuggle deeper into Ade's chest again, drinking in the comfort and feeling of safety only he can give me.
"Do you remember the pictures of the little kid we found last time we were here?"
"Yes, we were going to ask Mateo about him."
"I think it was Niccolo."
"Really? He looks nothing like the boy in the photos."
"I know, but kids change a lot… and his eyes. I'm sure they're the same."
"How did Romero react to seeing them?"
"He seemed surprised and muttered something to himself. I couldn't understand everything, but I'm sure at one point he said'she wouldn't have been that stupid, even if she was a woman'. That comment made me so angry. He really doesn't seem to rate women highly."
"Who was he talking about?" Ade asks.
I shrug my shoulder, shaking my head. "I have no idea. He wasn't giving anything away, nor did he confirm it was him. Themystery is as alive as ever, perhaps more so now. I certainly have more questions swimming in my mind."
"Yeah," Ade agrees. "I'll look more into Niccolo Romero when we get back to Atlanta. For the rest of today and the rest of our trip, I really want to forget all about that asshole."
"Works for me." I smile up at him and move my arms up his body and around his neck, placing my lips softly against his.
"I am truly sorry, Ade. It was never my intention to worry you. And thank God, we all made it through this episode unscathed."
"Talking about God…we better find out what happened to the reverend, or it will be hard, if not impossible, to get married today."
I quickly cover his mouth with my hand. "Shh, don't say that."
"It's a possibility," he says against my palm, his words coming out muffled. "Today hasn't gone to plan so far."
"Nope," I reply, exaggerating the'p'. "I bet there are no published statistics on having your wedding day hijacked by the mafia," I joke, the lightness I woke up with this morning slowly returning.
Ade chuckles. "I don't remember coming across any."
He takes my face in his hands and kisses me tenderly before resting his forehead against mine, breathing me in.
