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"And you waited"

"Of course I did I told you I wouldn’t run from you, Car softly "I won’t leave you again"

"You swear?"

"You fucking know I do"

She laughed, eyeing Carht hand on his cheek, gently stroking his skin and brushing her thu?"

"Maybe," he replied, leaning forward to softly press his lips to hers She didn’t pull away that time, didn’t turn her head Instead, she moved her mouth in rhythh

He ducked his head and nuzzled into her neck, inhaling deeply as he kissed the exposed skin Her presence was overwhel him wild

"Do you still feel that?" he asked, nipping at the skin near her collarbone "The electricity between us? Please tell me you feel it"

"I feel it," she whispered

"I need you, Haven," he said, his voice cracking as the words caught in his throat

"I know"

A strangled sob escaped his throat, the sound causing her to grip hihter, and she whispered quietly as he cried in her arms He couldn’t seeain, broke Car out

42

Life was a ind, each day rapidly s between them relaxed as she made herself at hoentle touch

Exhausted, Carued his sleep and he tried his best to stay sober, but the liquor seemed to call to him Haven never said a word about it, but he could see the concern in her eyes whenever she saw hi away at him every time he sed the harsh liquid

But it wasn’t enough towell--al to cave in around theood to be true, like he hadan expiration date

People left theht for sure his brother would be knocking the door down to see Haven, or Corrado would be calling to deal with business, but there was nothing

No visits, no phone calls, not a godda

It was almost a week later when there was finally a knock on the door Carly opened it, surprised to see a lanced down at an envelope in his hand, squinting as he read the name "Carmine DeMarco?"

"That’sa sn He scribbled down his na it back, and he handed Car the door, strolling to the living roo down on the couch beside Haven He saas fro out a piece of paper

"What’s that?" Haven asked

His eyes scanned the letter "They’re reading "

"Why do you sound surprised?" she asked "You’re his son"

"I don’t know," he said, shrugging as he set the paper down "It still doesn’t feel real Isaw it But it’s still hard to believe it really happened"

"I bet," she replied "Do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head "That’s the last thing I even want to think about right now"

"Okay," she said, leaning over and pushing Carmine backward on the couch She wrapped her arrabbed the reh channels They stayed that way the rest of the evening, forgetting about everything except as happening within the walls of the house

Once again, it didn’t last The next day, at the saru the door open The sa a farave; vu Weren’t you just here for this shit?"

He nodded and looked down at the envelope in his hand "Haven Antonelli?"

"Oh, yeah," he responded, opening the door farther and yelling for Haven She appeared, looking between Carmine and the mailman in confusion He motioned toward the letter "It’s for you, tesoro"

"Me?" she asked with surprise, taking the card froned her na precise and perfect cursive He sht to learn to do that She handed the card back and he gave her the envelope, telling her to have a good day before departing She didn’t respond, just stood at the door staring at it