Page 58 (1/2)

The nonchalance of the question surprised Haven, but Carmine didn’t appear to be put off as he answered "It’s been fine, except for the fact that I feel like I’ boiled alive"

Haven saze turned to Michael "Are you going to invite the kids in, Antonelli, or do you intend to let my nephew burst into flames? I was under the impression you remembered how to be hospitable"

"Oh, yeah!" Michael stuck his cigar into his mouth and opened the screen door "Come inside"

Carmine took Haven’s hand and led her into the house, the two of the Corrado down the hallway to a cra the cluttered walls For years she had lived on the property, trapped and forced to work in servitude, but never in that time had she been in that room Michael said it was private, his sanctuary

Michael walked in behind theany desk as Corrado stood off to the side with his ar for one more"

Haven looked to Carmine, but he offered no explanation if he had one

After a few minutes there was a knock on the front door of the ranch Corrado walked out to answer it, returning with anothera briefcase Michael tensed as he eyed hi rapidly "What are we--? Why’s the lawyer here?"

"Let’s get this done," Corrado said, ignoring the question Haven sat down, slinking into a chair in the corner so not to lared at her fro the space between the their chairs

The lawyer talked about naturalization and citizenship, but none of it made sense to her He filled out paperwork as he spoke but hesitated on a docu at Haven "Miss, what’s your birthday?"

Her heart thumped wildly "I’m not sure Mama said it was in the fall"

The man’s forehead creased as his eyes shifted to Michael "Mr Antonelli? Her date of birth?"

Michael grueratedly "September tenth, 1988"

The larote it dohile Haven stared at Corrado She wondered how he knew, the date running through her mind September 10it eeks away

When finished, the lawyer handed the paperwork to Corrado, who set it on the desk in front of Michael "Sign it," he de the stack of papers in Haven’s direction She could feel his eyes on her as he held out the pen She took it without looking at hih the papers, she spotted the blank lines beside where he’d signed Her hand trembled as she scribbled her name beside his

She wondered if he was surprised she could write Take that, buddy

"That’s it," Corrado said "It’s done"

What was done? Haven wasn’t sure, but Michael didn’t appear happy about it

Haven stepped onto the porch of the house, taking a deep breath of the scalding desert air Her sto amuck She needed space She needed to be away from those people She needed Carmine

She called for him, but a loud commotion stopped her before she could step back inside Startled by the disruption, Haven turned, her breath hitching when she saw herat the corner of the house, a bunch ofin a pile at her feet

Unlike Michael, she looked different Her dark hair was streaked with gray, and wrinkles lined her weary face A dirty shirt sed her skeletal fras Her mama had always been skinny, but now she was a shell of her former self

"Haven?"

The sound of her voice was like blistering iron striking Haven’s chest Her feet frantically carried her to her round Herdespite her frail body, her hands traveling Haven’s back and hair as she clung to her "My baby girl! You’re here!"

"Yes," she choked out "I’m here"

Her et away!"

"It’s okay," Haven said "No one’s going to hurt me"

"You can’t be sure! You kno they are!"

Haven tried to sh her tears "I’m here to see you"

Her hands explored Haven’s face "I don’t understand It doesn’t ht me He’s, uhhe’s my master’s son I love hi rapidly "This is bad You can never let him know!"

"Stop!" Her mama’s panic caused her anxiety to flare "He already knows He loves me, too"

"How?" She shook her head "Haven, he’s--"

"Wonderful, Ma "He treatsme a lifethe kind of life you alanted round for a fewafter that was verbalized Herup creeping back in

Hope