Surrender by Melody Anne
Page 42
It seemed no matter how old they grew, his sisters would forever act like teenagers. What surprised him was that he hoped they never stopped. He would forever picture them with pigtails in their hair, running in the house to tell him about their latest adventure at school, even if Lia was now twenty-six and Rachel was twenty-three. Time flew by so quickly.
“So, Rafe, what is this new toy you’ve acquired?”
“I think you’ll be the most excited, Dad. We need to drive to the marina. ”
“Ah, you got a new boat. Didn’t you just buy one last year?”
“Yes, and she’ll always be precious to me, but I’ve got a new love. The latest way to entertain clients is on private yachts so I decided to make an investment. Though it is a great investment, she’s really just an overpriced toy,” he admitted.
“Ooh, Rafe, I can’t wait. Are we going out today?” Lia asked as her eyes lit up.
“I’ve cleared my schedule and called the crew. We can take her for a spin – have dinner on the water. ”
“Have I told you lately that you’re the absolute best brother ever?” Rachel said as she snuggled up to his side.
“Only every time you want something from me,” he responded with a chuckle.
“Big brothers are supposed to spoil their sisters. It’s in the rule book. ”
“Yeah, the rule book that you wrote when you were five. ”
The family climbed into Rafe’s escalade and he quickly managed to cut through traffic, eager to see his family’s reaction to his newest pride and joy.
He worked incredibly hard, and therefore rewarded himself with the things in life that made him happy. A frown marred his forehead as that thought brought up Ari. The longer it took for her to realize their inevitable affair would happen, the more irritated he became. When he wanted something, he wanted it immediately. He couldn’t stand to wait on anything or anyone.
It had been a week since Mario had taken her home. He hadn’t spoken to her since. He was allowing some time to pass for her to see reason, or for his interest to wan. Neither was happening, which meant it was about time for him to hunt her down.
They pulled into the exclusive marina, and he moved around the back where his vessel was parked at a huge dock. The gleaming white vessel was two-hundred feet long and put every other liner in the marina to shame.
Rafe took pride in owning only the best. Yes, there were other boats out there bigger and more luxurious, but this baby was exactly what he wanted. He didn’t want it so large he was too restricted in where he could take an afternoon cruise, but it needed to be comfortable enough that he could sail across the ocean with all the comforts of home.
“Is that it?” Lia asked in awe.
“Yes. That’s my girl,” he answered with pride.
“You sure you couldn’t have gotten one a bit bigger,” his father asked with sarcasm. The smile on his face eliminated the sting of his words.
“Ha, Father, I think that’s a little like calling the kettle black. Your personal jet puts my own to shame. Who do you think taught me to like only the best?” His father winked at him before returning his attention to the boat.
Rafe’s father had been a very wealthy man, but his mother had insisted on not spoiling the children too badly. When they’d spent their time in Italy, they’d lived in a modest home, very comfortable, but not over the top. In the States, however, they’d had a mansion.
His father had owned it before the marriage, inheriting it from his parents. It was the only reason Rafe’s mother had allowed them to live in such luxury. She felt a wealthy man was a conceited man – she just made an exception for Martin and his generous heart, as he gave so much to the poor.
Rafe truly wouldn’t want to see the disappointed look on his mother’s face if she knew some of the things he did with his life. He knew it would break her heart. Before guilt was allowed to make its way inside, Rafe pushed the thought aside. His parents were good people, but his mother was naïve to the way the world worked. He’d kept much from her after his divorce – he continue keeping his private life separate from his family.
“Rafe, I think it’s time you come home for a while. All of this money you have is making you too egocentric. You need to remember your roots,” his mother scolded, confirming his thoughts.
“Mom, I will always appreciate our home in Italy. It’s where I go when the world starts closing in on me. However, don’t you pretend we were peasants. Dad came in and swept you off your feet, then flew you around the world. I wouldn’t say I grew up impoverished,” he responded as he bent down and kissed her cheek.
It seemed no matter how old they grew, his sisters would forever act like teenagers. What surprised him was that he hoped they never stopped. He would forever picture them with pigtails in their hair, running in the house to tell him about their latest adventure at school, even if Lia was now twenty-six and Rachel was twenty-three. Time flew by so quickly.
“So, Rafe, what is this new toy you’ve acquired?”
“I think you’ll be the most excited, Dad. We need to drive to the marina. ”
“Ah, you got a new boat. Didn’t you just buy one last year?”
“Yes, and she’ll always be precious to me, but I’ve got a new love. The latest way to entertain clients is on private yachts so I decided to make an investment. Though it is a great investment, she’s really just an overpriced toy,” he admitted.
“Ooh, Rafe, I can’t wait. Are we going out today?” Lia asked as her eyes lit up.
“I’ve cleared my schedule and called the crew. We can take her for a spin – have dinner on the water. ”
“Have I told you lately that you’re the absolute best brother ever?” Rachel said as she snuggled up to his side.
“Only every time you want something from me,” he responded with a chuckle.
“Big brothers are supposed to spoil their sisters. It’s in the rule book. ”
“Yeah, the rule book that you wrote when you were five. ”
The family climbed into Rafe’s escalade and he quickly managed to cut through traffic, eager to see his family’s reaction to his newest pride and joy.
He worked incredibly hard, and therefore rewarded himself with the things in life that made him happy. A frown marred his forehead as that thought brought up Ari. The longer it took for her to realize their inevitable affair would happen, the more irritated he became. When he wanted something, he wanted it immediately. He couldn’t stand to wait on anything or anyone.
It had been a week since Mario had taken her home. He hadn’t spoken to her since. He was allowing some time to pass for her to see reason, or for his interest to wan. Neither was happening, which meant it was about time for him to hunt her down.
They pulled into the exclusive marina, and he moved around the back where his vessel was parked at a huge dock. The gleaming white vessel was two-hundred feet long and put every other liner in the marina to shame.
Rafe took pride in owning only the best. Yes, there were other boats out there bigger and more luxurious, but this baby was exactly what he wanted. He didn’t want it so large he was too restricted in where he could take an afternoon cruise, but it needed to be comfortable enough that he could sail across the ocean with all the comforts of home.
“Is that it?” Lia asked in awe.
“Yes. That’s my girl,” he answered with pride.
“You sure you couldn’t have gotten one a bit bigger,” his father asked with sarcasm. The smile on his face eliminated the sting of his words.
“Ha, Father, I think that’s a little like calling the kettle black. Your personal jet puts my own to shame. Who do you think taught me to like only the best?” His father winked at him before returning his attention to the boat.
Rafe’s father had been a very wealthy man, but his mother had insisted on not spoiling the children too badly. When they’d spent their time in Italy, they’d lived in a modest home, very comfortable, but not over the top. In the States, however, they’d had a mansion.
His father had owned it before the marriage, inheriting it from his parents. It was the only reason Rafe’s mother had allowed them to live in such luxury. She felt a wealthy man was a conceited man – she just made an exception for Martin and his generous heart, as he gave so much to the poor.
Rafe truly wouldn’t want to see the disappointed look on his mother’s face if she knew some of the things he did with his life. He knew it would break her heart. Before guilt was allowed to make its way inside, Rafe pushed the thought aside. His parents were good people, but his mother was naïve to the way the world worked. He’d kept much from her after his divorce – he continue keeping his private life separate from his family.
“Rafe, I think it’s time you come home for a while. All of this money you have is making you too egocentric. You need to remember your roots,” his mother scolded, confirming his thoughts.
“Mom, I will always appreciate our home in Italy. It’s where I go when the world starts closing in on me. However, don’t you pretend we were peasants. Dad came in and swept you off your feet, then flew you around the world. I wouldn’t say I grew up impoverished,” he responded as he bent down and kissed her cheek.