“That was a long time ago, and I didn’t lose it, did I? Try again.”
Rami smiled. “You’re always so combative with me, and yet I watch you with other people and you’re sweet as a nut.”
“You wind me up on purpose,” Dante retorted. “It’s your job, isn’t it? To test me? Make sure I won’t kill anyone?”
“Is that something I need to worry about? Murder isn’t on your list of negative personality traits.”
It was so close to the conversation Dante’d had with Sid that a deep scowl twisted his face before he could catch it.
Rami raised a brow. “Is there something I should know?”
“About what?”
“About anything. You seemed content when we spoke on the phone a few days ago. Has that changed?”
“No.” Dante fought the natural insolence lacing his tone and tried again. “No. I’m fine. Just tired. I’m not used to being so busy. Inside I was allowed in the garden for two hours at a time four days a week. This is nine-to-five shit.”
“And then some. The house manager told me you’ve worked after hours most days and all weekend.”
Dante shrugged. “I do what Sid does.”
“Sid?”
“The gardener. He, uh, supervises me.”Enthrals me, actually. He’s the most beautiful dude I’ve ever seen.
“That doesn’t mean you have to shadow him outside of your working day,” Rami said. “You’re a free man, Dante. Your time is your own.”
“I know that. I stay because I want to. It isn’t like I have anything else to do.”
“That might change as you settle in and make friends.”
Dante snorted. “Yeah, okay.”
Rami sighed and kept talking, but Dante tuned him out as house staff began to filter into the barn for their lunch. No one sat close enough to hear what Rami said or catch Dante’s answering grunts, but he willed them away anyway, willedeveryoneaway until heknewSid had entered the barn.
By then, Rami was done. He tucked his paperwork into his nerdy messenger bag and stood, eyeing Dante who had slumped onto his folded arms. “I nearly forgot,” he said. “I have something for you.”
He produced an envelope and held it out.
Dante sat up and took it, turning it over to reveal his name scrawled on the back in handwriting he didn’t recognise. “What is it?”
“It’s from your brother.”
“No, it isn’t. He doesn’t write like that, and the only thing he’d send me is a letter bomb.”
Rami pressed his lips together, fighting a smile that ultimately won out. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. He was quite positive when I saw him.”
Dante jerked further upright. “You saw him? When?”
“A week before you were released.”
“Why?”
“Because he asked to see me, and you said it was okay for me to talk to him about your case. He gave me this to give to you, so it can’t be all that bad, can it?”
“He hates me.”
Rami frowned and took a breath.