“That leaves us with one.”
“Even if you kill me tonight, Gino will be my salvation. He won’t rest until he avenges all of us.” He spit again after the outburst, and again he landed on his face after Lou hit him.
As Lou lifted him, he sobbed when he saw the last ring in Cain’s hand.
“Tonight I wanted you to know the pain of losing your entire family.” The last ring landed in the dirt. “That was your price for my father’s death. Every one of them is dead, and the Bracato name will die with them.”
“No, I still have my grandson, and even you aren’t coldhearted enough to kill an infant.” He tilted his head to the side, trying to wipe his face on his shirt. “If you are, then you’ll have a special place in hell.”
With a nod Cain signaled Mook to come forward and hand over his bundle. Seemingly happy, Gino’s infant son gurgled and smiled up at her.
“Your eldest son died thinking I’d done just that. He spent his last moments believing his stupidity had cost him the one good thing in his life.”
Giovanni wanted nothing more than to break the bindings and rip Cain apart with his bare hands. “What, you’re leaving that pleasure for me?”
“There’s more than one way to kill something dear.”
A deep breath did nothing to calm Giovanni’s frustration. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“That after tonight, Giovanni Bracato III will cease to exist. Your family name will be forgotten within the week.” She handed the baby back and Mook walked away, the outline of his body rapidly becoming nothing more than a shadow. “It ends tonight, Giovanni, and there’s nothing left to say.”
“Funny, I still have plenty to say.”
Cain pushed, and Giovanni fell back into the hole Mook had worked so diligently on, breaking his arm as he landed. The silence and miles of solitude swallowed his scream.
“Get me out of here.” He imagined that every bug in the state of Wisconsin was crawling on him, and the sides of the space were closing in on him. “Casey, I fucking mean it.”
Cain waved Lou off, then picked up a shovel and started filling.
Giovanni screamed louder when he felt the first load hit his chest, crystalizing what Cain had in mind.
She kept moving dirt until Giovanni could no longer be heard and she’d worked up a sweat despite the weather. Lou took over so Cain could get back to her loved ones.
At the car she took the baby back from Mook and kissed his forehead. “I didn’t know your mama, little man, but from what I learned about her, I think she’d be happy for you. Because no matter what, you’re going to be loved, and that starts now. I just buried your past, so you should have a good head start.”
*
“Cain told us the news.”
Emma wasn’t listening to Maddie, hadn’t listened to her for the past hour. As much as she’d wanted to wake the kids earlier, Emma had told her to wait. She’d said she missed them but wanted Cain with her when she saw them again.
Emma tapped her nail against the front windowpane and tried to break through her fog of concern for Cain. “What news?”
“Cain bought the old Jones place, and she’s going to let Jerry and your dad share it. We’re planning on doubling our herd by the summer.”
When the headlights of a vehicle appeared in the distance, Emma almost ripped the curtain off its rod. She didn’t know why, but she’d been a nervous wreck since Cain had left her side. Things were probably fine, but now that everything she wanted was in her grasp, the thought of losing it was unbearable.
“Hi, darlin’.” Cain’s deep voice vibrated though Emma’s chest as Emma practically jumped off the porch into her lover’s arms. “Come on and let’s get our present inside.”
Mook handed her the baby and waved good night as he started for the stairs.
Maddie was the first to come up out of her seat when Cain walked in. She smiled when the little guy put his head down on Cain’s shoulder and blinked big brown eyes her way.
“First, I want to thank you for taking our children in and keeping them safe.” Cain couldn’t stand Maddie’s longing anymore, so she handed her the baby. “And if it’s not too late, I want to talk to you two about something.”
“We’re set to take the day off tomorrow, so sure,” Jerry answered. When he touched the baby, his hand covered the back of the child’s head.
Cain winked in Emma’s direction before sitting back and watching the bonding begin. “You two have been so kind to us, especially to Emma and Hannah while we were apart. Emma has told me how well you both treated our little girl, and I believe that kind of friendship should be rewarded.”
“You don’t owe us anything, Cain. Maddie and I were happy to help.” The tough farmer held his finger up and laughed when the tiny fingers grasped it.
“I’ll be honest, guys, if God has blessed me with anything despite the things I’ve done in my life, it’s the love of my wife.”
Emma linked their fingers together and smiled.
“No word can describe what came because of that blessing. When you hold your child for the first time, you believe your life has infinite possibilities and your heart fills with infinite love. The responsibility is sometimes daunting, but very worth it.”
“We can’t…” Jerry stopped. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but Maddie and I can’t have children.”
Cain dropped a kiss on Emma’s forehead before approaching the couple. “May I?” She held out her arms for the baby.
“My father always told me that your children are yours, but only for a short time. It’s what you do with and for them in that time that will make them good people. Your time with him starts now.”
Jerry’s hands were shaking so much he almost dropped the baby when Cain handed him over. “Use it wisely, but only if you want.”
“Do you mean it?” Jerry asked, as Maddie jumped to her feet.
“I mean it, and I can’t think of two better people to care for him.” Cain pulled adoption papers out of her coat pocket.
“Oh, my God.” Maddie flung her hands to her mouth as tears rolled down her cheeks. “We can’t thank you enough.”
“There’s only one thing I want you to remember.” Cain took the papers and pressed them into Maddie’s hand. “On here it says Baby Rath came from a Russian orphanage. He should never hear any other story about his origin.”
“Why would we think differently?”
The baby sighed as Jerry kissed his forehead again. “We’re going to love him and tell him this is his home. The way I see it, the rest isn’t important.”
“Then congratulations.” Cain gently slapped his back and accepted a long hug from Maddie, who was still crying as she clung to Cain, watching Jerry cradle their new son.
“No one deserves this more than you do, Maddie. My cousin prepared the initial papers, the ones you’re holding, in conjunction with one of her law-school pals who’s currently practicing in Wisconsin. Once you and Jerry pick a name, give her a call. It’s better all around, though, if you pick one before we leave.”
“We won’t ever have to give him back, right? I don’t think I could bear that…the disappointment would kill me.”
“It would take breaking me, darlin’.”
Before Cain could finish, Emma walked up and placed her hand on Maddie’s back. “Cain will often bend on some things, but breaking isn’t in her makeup. Her word is her oath, and nothing will ever change it.”
“Oh, Emma, you of all people know what this means to me.” Maddie laid her head on Cain’s chest like she would never let go. “Thank you, Cain. Tonight you’ve given me the only other thing aside from Jerry I’ve always wanted.”
Merrick walked in carrying a few bags and put them down in the doorway. “Sorry, boss, I thought you were done.” Outside a few doors closed quietly, but in the stillness the group still heard them. “The guys are back and turning in for the night, unless you need something else.”