Cyprian the Fair Read online

  “I’m still irresistible!” Rafe laughed then leaned into Gabri and closed her eyes, grateful for his comfort. “Something happened today,” she said softly. “It was kind of a shock, but I handled it.”

  “Tell me everything, Eroina,” he said softly and put his arm around her.

  “I saw my friend Julia from America outside the Uffizi,” she revealed and felt Gabri stiffen at the news then relax. “She said she was here with a friend. I got away as fast as I could. I think I was rude, though,” she said with a sigh. “I was just caught off guard.”

  Gabri took a moment to calm himself before speaking. He should have known Eden would not be here alone. He refocused his mind on Rafe. “Do you want to talk with her again? You can, you know, if you think you’re ready.”

  Rafe shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know. All I could think was—I needed to get away. I’ve been trying not to think about her... and the others. I’ve been doing what you and the doctor tell me. Just focusing on me and getting well. I think about Bronte all the time, though. I think Julia could tell me how she’s doing.”

  “You know how she’s doing,” said Gabri softly. “We have the videos Katheryn has sent and photos.”

  “Yes,” Rafe agreed, “but I don’t know if she remembers me or if she still loves me.”

  Gabri hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. “Of course she does,” he said gently. He knew now there was no doubt he had to tell her Bronte was here. He could see not telling her would be the worst thing he could do.

  “I think she could tell me how Eden’s doing,” Rafe said softly. “I know you don’t want me to, but I think about her a lot too. I have to think about her to work through some of my problems. And I can’t help it.”

  Gabri smiled and laughed softly. “I know you can’t,” he said and ran his hand over her hair. “It’s okay to think about her. I know you’re still searching for answers and have been working on them in therapy and on your own. Just remember you have to think of yourself too.”

  “I know,” said Rafe with a sigh and closed her eyes again.

  Gabri sat with her quietly for a while trying to reign in his anger and annoyance with Eden for possibly creating an unhealthy situation for Rafe. Gabri knew he had to tell Rafe, so he would just do it and help her as he could. “I have something to tell you, and it may shock you,” Gabri said gravely.

  Rafe sat up with concern on her face. “Is everything okay?”

  Gabri could not help but smile at how deep her concern was for him. He didn’t understand why people couldn’t see how vulnerable she was and how everything affected her and made her want to make everything better.

  “Everything is fine,” he assured her. “I had an unexpected visitor today.” He hesitated and looked into her eyes full of anticipation. “It was Eden,” he said softly and watched Rafe look down and tremble slightly. “She said she needed to talk with you.” He waited for a response, but Rafe just sat silently. “You don’t have to see her. I can tell her to go home and to give you more time.”

  Rafe looked up at Gabri with searching eyes. “Do you think they’re here. . .” she paused, “together? Eden and Julia?”

  Gabri nodded. “I think it is most likely. Eden didn’t mention Julia to me, but it makes sense.”

  “Julia didn’t mention Eden,” said Rafe. “Why do you think she wouldn’t tell me Eden was here?”

  “I don’t know,” he said and could see Rafe trying to figure out her own question.

  “She should have told me,” said Rafe with a frown.

  “I have to tell you something more.” He paused. “Eden has brought Bronte to see you.”

  “She has?” asked Rafe and wiped a tear away at the news. She took a breath and ran her hands through her hair. “I was hoping she could come after Nora’s baby was born so they could meet,” she said with a sad smile. “Do you think Eden will let her come back then?”

  Gabri smiled to reassure her. “I hope so. They will be great friends,” he predicted then hugged her. “I talked to the doctor about everything, and you should talk to her too.” He watched Rafe nod her silent agreement. “She suggests short visits or monitored visits if they need to be longer, in case Eden pushes you.”

  Rafe looked up at Gabri again, not sure if she wanted to see Eden with or without time limits or monitoring. “Did Eden say what she wanted to talk to me about,” she asked shakily. “Maybe if I knew, I’d be more prepared.”

  “She didn’t say,” he said with a shrug. “She just said she needed to talk with you in person.”

  “In person,” Rafe repeated and rubbed her temples.

  “Don’t worry about what she wants to say,” he said gently. “If you want, I can look through the emails she’s sent. I’ve kept them all for you. Maybe she mentions what she wants to say in one.”

  “No, no,” said Rafe with concern. “You shouldn’t read them.”

  She didn’t want him to read the emails Eden and the others had sent. She knew most of them were probably pleading for her to come home or were full of angry words about Gabri. She stopped reading them after a few weeks because Gabri and the doctor threatened to take away her computer and phone if she didn’t stop reading them and stop listening to voice messages. The doctor said it was not good for her right then. She had forwarded all her email and voicemail accounts so Gabri had control of them. He, in turn, put all Eden and her other friends’ emails into a particular folder without opening them. Others he took care of and forwarded important ones to her new account. Voicemails he listened to and handled how he saw fit. Rafe created new accounts for Italy but received very few calls or emails now.

  “What else did she say?” she asked hesitantly.

  “She wanted to know how you were doing and wants to see how you are for herself,” he said unable to contain his exasperated sigh. “I told her you were doing well, but she still wants to see you in person.”

  “Is that all?” she asked softly.

  “It is all she said to me about why she is here,” he said with a nod. “She left her contact information. I can tell her no. You don’t have to see or talk to her. I can see if only Bronte can visit. I’m sure Nora would love to meet her.”

  Rafe looked up at Gabri with worry. “Does Nora know Eden and Bronte are here?”

  “No,” said Gabri. “Only you, me, and Stefano.”

  “I don’t think I want Nora to know yet,” said Rafe shakily. “I don’t want her to get upset if I don’t get to see Bronte. I don’t know if I want her to meet Eden if she doesn’t let me see Bronte alone.”

  “Rafaella,” said Gabri and took her shoulders then looked into her eyes. “It is not your job to keep Nora from being upset.” He shook his head sadly. “But you will have to decide to tell her about everything or not. Just don’t make it about her feelings. Make it about your own. Then, if you decide you want her to know, talk to her, and see how she feels. She can decide for herself if she wants to be there or not. She loves you deeply, and I think she may surprise you.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about it,” Rafe agreed. “I’ll think about it.” She felt the warmth from Gabri’s hands go away as he released her. “Do you think Eden knows about New York?”

  “I don’t know,” Gabri answered and was quiet for a while. “If you talk with her, are you going to tell her?”

  “Yes,” she said softly. “It caused her a lot of pain, and I think maybe knowing will help her.”

  Gabri leaned his head back trying not to show his frustration at Rafe thinking she should tell Eden about New York to help Eden rather than to help herself.

  It had taken months to unwind Rafe’s belief she’d had an affair. During those months, they had to reconcile what had actually happened and what was false and manifesting as her memory, then showing up in her dreams. It was the first time anyone ever had to challenge Rafe’s truth because it was hurting her. It was terrifying and messy and one of the hardest things Gabri had ever had to see Rafe go through.<
br />
  Holding onto the belief that she’d had an affair seemed the root of most of her issues with Eden. Once they took those beliefs away, it was easier to help her with other things causing her torment, especially her thoughts she had to protect Eden from death.

  They had also worked on a few of the things to do with Eden and the Stewards still haunting Rafe’s dreams and caught in her mind. Gabri gave the doctor all the information from the attorney and Rafe’s doctors in America, and it was decided most of those things could be worked on when Rafe was able to think more clearly about them. When her memories were corrected, and her PTSD was under control, they began to work on those issues, but they were far from resolved. There were still other issues with long roots not so easily traced and addressed without causing more grief.

  They hadn’t talked about if Rafe would try to reconcile with Eden or if she would only work to be a good co-parent to Bronte. But now, with Eden’s unexpected visit, they might have to delve in before Rafe was ready. This filled Gabri with worry.

  Gabri could see Rafe’s thoughts were starting to get dark, and she was withdrawing. He gave her a nudge to get her attention. “Think tomorrow,” he commanded. “We’ve been invited to a party tonight. The music festival will be starting soon, and everyone is meeting for a party to celebrate,” he said, grinning and forcing himself to sound excited. “I need you to come and dance with me,” he said as he pulled her up from the bench. “I will be the most famous musician because I have you by my side!” He laughed and drew her into a dance move.

  Laughing, Rafe danced with Gabri down the path to the villa. “All Firenze will celebrate us!” She laughed. “The angel and his wild dancer!”

  12

  IN THE HOTEL room at the Palazzo Vecchietti, Eden Kingsley was cleaning up the lunch plates from room service to keep busy. She had reluctantly let Bronte go play with the au pair again at Julia’s urging. As Eden worked, Julia watched from the other side of the room. Eden had told Julia about her visit to Gabri De Angelis and was still upset about the meeting. Eden could only hope Gabri would tell Rafe about Bronte, and he would call to set up a time for Rafe to see them.

  “The hotel staff will get those,” Julia pointed out, wishing they had gone out to one of the many restaurants nearby. They stayed in because Eden was in no shape to go out.

  Eden looked at the plate in her hand and sighed as she sat it down. “I’m just trying to do something with myself so I don’t lose control and cry again,” she said and sat down in a chair at the table. She looked across the room at Julia desperately. “He called me selfish and cruel. Am I? Is showing up to see her selfish and cruel?”

  “No,” said Julia reassuringly. “You’re here because you love her and want to help. You’re here to make sure she sees her daughter.”

  Julia watched as Eden brushed crumbs from the tablecloth. She wasn’t sure if she should feel guilty or happy about being right regarding how they would treat Eden. Julia wanted to be supportive. She knew Eden loved Rafe and wanted her back. Julia remembered her own pain when her feelings for Rafe weren’t returned. She still felt that pain at times and could sympathize with Eden. But now, her romantic feelings had shifted to Eden, and Julia wanted them returned so they could both be happy. She was walking a fine emotional line, and it was a little confusing at times. Other times, it was very complicated to think about Rafe and the feelings she had for her for so long.

  When they first met, Julia felt a bit like a sister to Rafe. Moving to New York with no friends had been hard and meeting Rafe made things easier. But even sisters get jealous or compete with each other.

  The problem was, Julia always felt she lost at everything. It seemed like Rafe always got the best grades, had the most friends, more allowance, and more freedom in general, and of course, she always had a girlfriend. When they were younger, Julia always tried to think of Rafe as a sister, but it all changed when she started feeling and wanting Rafe to be more.

  The rejection she got from Rafe when they were teenagers still blanketed Julia with frustration. When she finally came out to Rafe and told her how she felt, Julia was sure Rafe would feel the same, and they would be happy together. Instead, she was haunted by Rafe’s mirth at the suggestion they date, and the memory of Rafe telling her they were better off as friends. Every day seemed to be a struggle after that, but she did her best to stay friends and keep a sisterly relationship with Rafe.

  Years later, when they reconnected in college, Rafe just had to show off with all the degrees she was working toward and the business she had started. Julia had to hear about it constantly from her own father all the time. It was maddening. The most crushing part of finding each other again was Rafe still being uninterested in her. No matter how many times she humiliated herself by suggesting the possibility, or the trouble she went through to be there for Rafe to try to show her they could be good together, Rafe remained unmoved and thought of it as a joke.

  Now Rafe was throwing away everything, including their friendship, and letting some man take over her life. She knew Gabri was Rafe’s childhood friend, but she was Rafe’s friend too. Rafe should have allowed her or her father to help. If she had, then Rafe would still be in America with the best care in the world.

  Julia wasn’t sure if she should be angry about Rafe throwing away everything, including Eden, or if she should just sit back and reap any benefits that might fall her way. The last time Rafe’s antics ended up ruining a relationship was with Andrea.

  Rafe had been dating Andrea for months then just disappeared and broke up with her in an email. Andrea was devastated and hurt. Julia couldn’t believe Rafe would break up with her. Andrea was perfect. She was talented and smart and breathtakingly beautiful. Julia wasted no time in consoling her and letting her know she was available and interested.

  Julia had dated several girls Rafe had dated, but it never worked out. She really thought things would be different with Andrea. It seemed like they were compatible in every way. They liked a lot of the same things, and the sex was great. A year into their relationship, so sure things could only get better, Julia had been ready to ask Andrea to get married. They had already moved in together, and Julia convinced her father to hire Andrea to be an art curator for Hawthorn Financial. She was even hoping she and Andrea could start a subsidiary for clients who wanted to invest in fine art. Then Andrea announced she got a job offer in France. It wasn’t even a better offer than what she was getting at Hawthorn Financial, but, for some reason, Andrea chose going to work in France instead of staying and making a life together. It was heartbreaking. In a sisterly way, Rafe had been there and helped her get through the pain of losing Andrea. The problem was Julia did not want a sister then—or now.

  It seemed Rafe was breaking up with Eden like she had broken up with Andrea. The only difference was Rafe had her friend Gabri involved this time. She just wished Eden could see what Rafe was doing. She didn’t want Eden to be hurt like Andrea. But this was different. Unlike Andrea, Eden had a child and needed Rafe so she could have a real dependable relationship and give Bronte a stable home life. Julia knew she could step in and be a reliable parent and give Bronte everything she needed, and she would do anything to make Eden happy.

  For months, since her realization Eden should be the focus of her romantic attentions, Julia had been making subtle gestures to let Eden know she would be there for her. So far, Eden had not picked up on any of them. Eden hanging onto Rafe like a dog with a bone was very frustrating. Eden was still living in the fantasy that Rafe would come back.

  Julia knew now, based on her own dreams and feelings, she must have known subconsciously that Eden was who she had wanted to be with for a long time. Her feelings for Rafe had just been in the way. Now all those old feelings for Rafe were in the past. She hoped this trip would open Eden’s eyes to the truth about who really cared about her. The crux was the feeling of guilt she sometimes felt. She didn’t want to be disloyal to Rafe, but she wanted Eden and the happiness they could have to
gether. Switching loyalties was never easy, especially when the feelings were not yet mutual.

  “He says I should have waited,” said Eden breaking the long silence. “But I don’t know how long he’d make me wait. What if Rafe thinks I’ve forgotten about her? What if she thinks I’ve done what she said and let go? I don’t want her to think I did.”

  “You’ve been waiting and giving Gabri everything he’s asked for,” Julia reminded her. “You’ve sent videos and photos of Bronte. You’ve made sure Bronte got to see the videos he sent, and she got all the gifts they sent. They, on the other hand, haven’t sent you anything about Rafe and how she’s doing.”

  “Gabri said I could see how she was doing in the videos,” said Eden softly. “But it’s not the same.”

  “Right, and she hasn’t answered emails or calls from any of us,” Julia said annoyed. “It’s like he’s holding her prisoner.”

  Eden looked up at her with concern. “You don’t think he’s really holding her prisoner, do you?”

  “No,” said Julia thinking of her earlier run-in with Rafe. “As a matter of fact,” she hesitated, “I actually saw her today.”

  “What?” Eden said looking up at her in surprise. She got up and moved to a chair closer to Julia. “You saw her? Where? How was she? Did you tell her I’m here? What did she say? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Hold on, hold on,” said Julia at Eden’s barrage of questions. “I saw her when I was at the Uffizi Gallery. She looked fine and sounded like she was fine. She didn’t say much.”

  “What was she doing?” asked Eden wanting every detail she could get. “What did she say?”

  “I saw her as she was leaving the museum,” said Julia, seeing Eden was burning for all the information she could get, and it stung a little. “She was really quite rude. I asked her how she was doing, and she said she was fine and had to go. She said she didn’t want to deal with me. Can you believe her? Then she got on her motorcycle and rode away.”