Maybe then he’d find a sliver of peace.

…

He walked the site and took note of the new developments with a tingle of pride. His vision shimmered before him, almost complete. The details were finally coming together to complete a portrait of exotic lushness paired with an envi-ronment that welcomed travelers home, with all the mod-ern luxuries, from a dedicated technology and video room for business executives needing to Skype and hold online meetings, to the pampering spa, pools, hot tubs, and steam rooms. The rich textures of polished marble, glittering crystals, plush velvet, and rich mahogany conjured old and new worlds. He’d used his private art collection to make sure the main rooms inspired, like a high-class art gallery for his guests.

Sawyer closed his eyes for a moment and pictured the hotel full, his dream finally complete. And wondered why the culmination of his goal beat like a hole in his heart.

empty. Void. Dead.

“Hey, it’s looking good, man.”

Sawyer turned toward Max. A flicker of guilt trickled through him. Blowing off the family dinner had been a visible slap in the face to Julietta and everyone else. Wishing he knew a different way to handle it, Sawyer shook Max’s hand and forced a smile. “Thanks. Listen, sorry I couldn’t do dinner last night. Got caught up in the office. Hope you understand.”

“Sure. We’ve all been there, especially around a new opening. Can I talk to you a sec?”

Warning bristled his nerves. “Sorry, got a meeting.

Maybe later.”

“Just a minute. Please?”

Coldness seeped through his veins. “okay.” He led Max up the stairs and into the shell of what would be his private office. The empty room was devoid of furniture and details, confirming it couldn’t be a long talk. “What’s up?”

“Julietta told me what was going on with you. Blackmail.

Not any details, just the bare bones of some asshole with threats. Wanted to see if you needed any help.”

“Appreciate the gesture. But I got it handled. Thanks.”

He began walking out, but Max didn’t move. Sawyer’s heart stuttered in an uneven rhythm. “Not done yet,” Max said. Sawyer stiffened in preparation. “See, I don’t think you have it handled. I think you believe you’re in this alone and need to fix something from years ago that you had no control over. Problem is, you’re married to Julietta now. you’re stuck with a family, and we don’t let one of our own deal with this shit alone. you probably know as many people as I do, but not the same type. I know a guy. So this is how it’s gonna work. you give me a name. And you don’t get con-tacted again. Capisce?”

In the Twilight Zone of the conversation, Sawyer’s lip quirked with humor. “Did you really say the words ‘I know a guy’? Have I been recruited into a bad episode of Mobsters?”

Max didn’t smile. “I’m not fucking around, Sawyer.”

He realized his friend was dead serious. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m handling it.”

“By pulling away from your wife? From Wolfe? By tor-turing yourself with what-ifs you can’t change?”

“How much did she tell you?”

Max shrugged. “Not much. But I’ve known you for a long time. We’ve been friends awhile, and though we don’t talk about your past, I’m not an idiot. I know shit happened.

I know who you are today and what type of man you be-came. That’s what matters.”

The truth hit him in the face like a belly flop. “Jesus, I didn’t expect this heart-to-heart.” His nerves rubbed raw against the look on Max’s face. A need to share and to trust him rose up. “you were wrong, Max,” he said softly. “I’m not good enough. Julietta needs someone who can make her happy. Love her the way she deserves. Keep her safe.

It’s not me.”

“yes it is. But you gotta believe it before it can happen.” Max leaned against the empty wall. “When Carina and I finally got together, we had a lot of work to do. We played this ridiculous game of back-and-forth. I didn’t think I could ever be good enough for her. She was a woman meant for family, marriage, a commitment. But she never let up until I caved. When we got married, I realized it’s not about being good enough. It’s just about loving them enough to want to be good enough. We all deserve that shot. especially you. By the time I got my act together, Carina had gone through the same thing. Not believing in herself or who she was. It took a while, but she got there, and I waited. See, there’s no perfect person out there for Julietta, dude. you’re already screwed. She loves you, and when one of the Conte sisters falls, you don’t get away.

you can run as far and fast as you want, but I bet she’ll be waiting for you when you get there.” Max shook his head.

“They are some seriously scary women when they want someone.”

Max’s words dived deep and latched on. A crazy flicker of hope lit. “I don’t know.”

“I figured. Listen, we leave for the airport tonight.

Would be nice for you to see us out. I know Michael and Nick wanted to say good-bye. Flight’s at six. Come on by real quick when you’ve had some time to think about it. See, we take care of each other, no strings attached. Whether you want the help or not, Sawyer, you got it. Not only do I know ‘a guy,’ but I have some excellent lawyers, too. Hope to see you later.”

Max walked up and gave him a brief hug.

Sawyer watched him disappear, the words frozen in his throat. Fear and want mingled in a flood that drowned him.

Max had thrown him a lifeline.

Now he just had to decide whether or not to use it.

…

Julietta waited while her sister hung on to Mama with the fierceness the baby in the family always experienced. Carina blinked away tears when she finally separated herself. “I don’t want to let you go yet,” she whispered, clinging to her hand.

Mama Conte squeezed her in one last tight hug. “I know, sweet girl. But your life is back in New york, and it’s time to return. Will you send me one of your latest paintings? one with no nakedness in it?”

Carina sniffed. “yes. Promise. Michael’s working on getting you to the States for another visit soon.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

Julietta watched as Maggie and Alexa got their hugs and headed out toward the car. “Are you coming to the airport with us?” Maggie asked.

“yes, I’m not ready to say good-bye yet. I’ll follow you and leave from there.”

“I’ll go with you.”

She turned toward Wolfe and smiled. “Thanks. I know Dante will want to give you a last purr before he leaves.”

She watched as the boy petted the cat through the carrier.

Carina hooked her arm through Julietta’s and pulled her away. “Tell Sawyer we said good-bye. I’m sorry he couldn’t come.”

Grief sprang up and choked her. “I know Max tried to talk to him. I’m not giving up. I’ve spent my whole life waiting for a man like him. I’m going to fight as hard as I did when Luigi’s Bakery tried to steal our recipes and put us out of business.”

Carina laughed. “They never had a shot against you.

Neither does Sawyer. Make sure you keep me up to date, okay?”

“As long as you don’t bother me with any more love spells.”

Carina sighed. “I don’t know what happened; it’s the oddest thing. Worked with all three of us.”

“Just goes to show I’m always the fluke.”

Her sister punched her lightly in the arm. “Not true.

your road to true love just took a few hard turns. I love you.”

“Love you, too. Let’s get you guys to the airport.”

They climbed into the car and took off.

…

Sawyer stared at the door. They were probably gone. Still, he’d tried. Max’s words had beaten in his head like a mantra all day. He’d struggled about taking the step to come here today, but he still didn’t feel as if he should belong to such a group.

Sawyer turned and decided to go home. Stay with his first instinct to remove himself. It would be easier.

Mama Conte opened the door. “you missed them. They left for the airport.”

He dragged his feet like a child in trouble. “Sorry, Mama Conte. I’ll catch Julietta later at home.”

She opened the door wider. “Not yet. Come in for a moment.”

“Umm, I—”

“Now.”

He walked in. The house was still and perfectly clean.

She led him into the kitchen, and he took his usual seat.

She brewed him a cup of espresso in silence, set it in front of him, and slid into a chair. Sawyer sipped the steaming brew and hoped to God she wasn’t going to give him a hard time.

He couldn’t take any more.

“Do you know why I made you marry my daughter?”

He looked up. “For La Dolce Famiglia.”

She waved a hand through the air. “I couldn’t care less about the bakery. yes, it’s important, but not as important as my children’s happiness. No, Sawyer Wells, I did it because I knew you were meant to be the one she loves. I also knew neither of you would have entertained the idea unless I forced it. Both stubborn. Both workaholics. Both convinced love is an illusion and marriage an impossibility.”

All the doubts reared up. His words came out clipped and hard. “you were wrong. I told you before when you first hatched this crazy plan. I’ve done things. Failed people. I’m not who you believe I am, and Julietta and Wolfe deserve better.”

She spat in disgust. “Crazy talk. We all have a past, some harder than others. We all have scars, either physical or emotional or both. Do you remember when I met you at the bar and I told you about karma? you had a choice to make that night. your life could have gone in either direc-tion. you could have argued you were forced to take the wrong path because of your past—because of what you thought you deserved. But in that moment, you reached for more. Nothing held you from that except your own be-lief. Not others. Today, you face the same decision. you can fight for my daughter, the woman you love. you can fight for Wolfe and watch as he grows. or you can take the other path and talk about what you are destined for, because of this past that you say owns you.”