Chapter 250: Happy Adventures
- RAYA -
It’s Friday morning. When I go to find Rory, she’s sitting out by the pool under the shadow of an umbrella, watching one of the monkeys climbing along a low-hanging branch, the light from the water sending dazzling sparkles across her face. Luciano is next to her with sunglasses on, looking like a personal bodyguard.
I imagine they’re going to be an inseparable pair now—not one found without the other. It’s only been five days since we landed in Costa Rica and somehow it isn’t surprising. I’m not sure anything could surprise me anymore.
"Hey," Rory smiles when I come and sit down next to her.
"Hey."
There’s a little chuckle that passes between us. After everything that’s happened the past few days, it feels like we’ve crossed onto another plane of reality. And yet "hey" is all we can think of to say.
"How are you doing?" I ask, trying not to sound as over-the-top worried as I was yesterday when she was sequestered in bed. Or the day before when she lost consciousness and was whisked away by Luciano to Dr. Reddy’s room.
"Good," she says with a sigh. "Better."
It’s deceiving how good she looks, actually. It’s tempting to believe that nothing is wrong, but there does seem to be a drop in her energy. Whether that’s because of her heart or the after-effects of seeing Hansen and kicking his ass, it’s hard to say.
My sister seems almost peaceful, though. Like she has come to some revelations and found peace in their wake.
"How are you?" She asks in return.
"Oh," I scoff, surprised by the question. "I’m fine."
"Your cheek looks better."
"It was never bad to begin with."
Rory shakes her head in amused disagreement, but she doesn’t voice whatever smart reply flickers across her thoughts. "Are you excited for tomorrow?" She asks instead.
"Yeah," I sigh heavily, feeling the joy and nerves and overwhelming emotions surge at the topic. "It can’t get here soon enough. I’m nervous, though. It feels like a weird transition. You know, chase down a monster from childhood. Commit my first assault and battery. Get married."
Rory and Luciano both chuckle.
"From what I heard, you were a badass, Raya," Luci says, breaking his cool, detached silence. "Both of you were, but I still can’t picture you being the one to chase those guys down."
"Imagine how shocked I was." Rory shakes her head, shooting me a lopsided grin that looks equal parts teasing and annoyed. Just like a sister.
"Dex wasn’t happy about it," I sputter a laugh. "Remember when he asked if we were going to stay put and not run off while he got changed?"
"That’s right," she chuckles. "We can blame him, then. He shouldn’t have said that."
"Blame Dex?"
"Well, yeah," she shrugs. "You never want to tempt fate with foreshadowing remarks like that."
"Okay," I laugh, staring out across the pool. "I’ll make sure to tell him that."
"Where is Dex?" Luciano asks. Apparently catching Hansen has made him relax. He’s still got that whole protective vibe around my sister, but he’s not bristling at the fact that I came here on my own like he would have a few days ago. And I only caught sight of one mafia guy standing guard on my way here.
"He had some last-minute arrangements to finalize, and I wasn’t allowed to tag along."
"Nice." He smiles warmly, and I’m struck again by how much he hides beneath that tough exterior. He’s never really intimidated me, but it’s difficult to square his appearance with his warmth and affection. Even I feel it, and I’m just his cousin’s fiancé.
"Do you have everything you need?" Rory’s brows lower like she’s just realized she’s neglected her role. "Do we need to make a trip to town?"
Luci’s jaw works on his discomfort at that idea, but he doesn’t say anything—just waits for my answer. He doesn’t have to worry, because I don’t want Rory walking all over the peninsula either.
"I have everything. The dress was the biggest thing, and it feels like it found me."
"That’s for sure," she agrees. "I still can’t believe that. Handmade Italian lace arrives here by accident, and then a local woman has a dream to make that wedding dress without any real reason to. It’s wild."
"I almost feel like we should just start expecting things like that to happen," I laugh. "Maybe a dress will find you, too, Roar."
Luciano’s brows shoot up hopefully at the suggestion while my sister shakes her head shyly. "We’re not even close to that point yet."
"Your sister hasn’t admitted her feelings for me out loud," Luciano explains, taking her hand and kissing it. "But it’s coming. I know the truth anyway."
"It’s a good thing you’re so confident," Rory teases. "A lesser man would definitely give up. Many have."
"It’s a good thing, too. If they didn’t, they’d have to fight me for you."
Rory blushes but tries to pretend she’s unaffected. Luciano is right—if Rory plans to deny her feelings for him, she’s definitely fighting a losing battle.
"Oh my god, you two are adorable," I sigh contentedly.
"Adorable?" Rory screws up her face while Luci beams next to her. The characterization clearly doesn’t bother him like it does her.
"So what time is Dad showing up today?" She asks, ignoring the way Luciano bumps into her playfully with his shoulder. He reminds me of a puppy with its tongue hanging out, waiting for attention.
"Around noon."
"So we’ll finally get to meet Patty."
I want to groan at the reminder and the wry way Rory is smiling. Thankfully this meeting will finally happen, and then all theories about Patty can be put behind us.
"Yep," I say simply.
We both stare across the pool, not commenting on it further. The weird feelings about the mystery surrounding Patty and Dad have gotten enough attention. I’m sick of speculating.
"Let’s make a bet..." Rory says, but I cut her off.
"No, no. No bets."
"I doubt she’s even thirty," she goes on anyway.
"Ugh, Roar," I groan. "Let’s just be happy for him."
"Will it really be easy to be happy for him if she’s young enough to be our sister, though?"
"We don’t know that!" I exclaim with an exasperated laugh. "Let’s just wait and meet her."
"I don’t like the way your dad is so distant," Luciano interjects. "I can’t understand it. A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man."
"Isn’t that from a movie?" Rory frowns.
"Yeah. The Godfather." He bumps her with his shoulder again. "I’m impressed you know that."
"That’s a movie I’m going to be rewatching a lot in the future, I can already tell," she chuckles.
"Is it accurate?" I ask, realizing we have the real thing right in front of us. I have so many questions, but there is no way I’m going to start grilling Luciano about the mafia.
"A lot more accurate than any other depictions. The books are better."
"Typical," Rory says.
"The movies are great, though. No disrespect," Luci adds. "But in terms of detail, a lot is left out."
"We should write a book," I muse. "We’ve had enough drama and mystery happen."
"No one would believe it," Rory snorts.
"But it would be entertaining."
"It would be," she smiles. "And you know what? We’re coming up on the happy ending."
"No endings," I say, shaking my head. "Journeys."
"Happy journeys?" She asks, evaluating the word. It’s not quite the right one. "Journeys aren’t happy all the way through."
"How about adventures?" Luciano suggests. "There’s more danger and risk implied."
"Happy adventures." I try it aloud. "Yep. I like it. With adventures, there is always more to come."
