Starling (51 page)

new courtesan had taught her to read Michel de Montaigne. I knew
there was almost no chance, but I asked her to identify you. Even
then, I had to get close before I realized it was truly my starling.” He
stroked her wig and then his hand dropped to her waist. “You look
like you haven’t eaten in days. You should come stay with me, let me
take care of you. We could run away together.”
Cass imagined it. Her and Falco, together, in some other country.
Far away from the Order. She could take the crate of gold and jewels
from Villa Querini. Falco could earn money as an artist. Her obligation to Luca was a moral one, not a legal one. It wasn’t an impossible
dream anymore. She and Falco could be together if they truly desired. It would be . . . easy.
No. Ever since she had broken Luca out of prison, she had felt
stronger, more in control of her destiny. A life with Falco was just a
fantasy—nothing more. It was what fairy tales were made of, and as
breathtaking as fairy tales could be, they weren’t real. What she had
with Luca felt different. Solid. A base upon which to build something.
“I can’t,” she said.
Falco’s blue eyes darkened. “Why not?”
“Because I have obligations, Falco. There are . . . things I must do
here.” Cass felt the tears forming at the backs of her eyes. What a
fool. She had meant to use their stolen moment to warn him about
Belladonna, but instead they would quarrel like lovers, once again.
She struggled to focus. “Belladonna and Dubois are working together now,” she blurted out. “I heard them talking. Both of them
deny possessing the book. Are you staying with her here in Venice?
Perhaps you could peek through her things.”
“I’m not staying with her,” Falco said. “I’m staying at Tommaso’s
studio. I cannot help you find this book.”
“You don’t have to lie to me.” Cass wiped away a rogue tear. “I
understand if you’re more worried about your position than helping
me—”
“Cass, don’t be absurd,” Falco said. “I’m sorry that I didn’t believe you in Florence, but I do now. My position means nothing if it
keeps me from you.” He pulled her in close, wrapping both arms
around her waist. “So quit dreaming up excuses to avoid me, all
right?”
Cass wasn’t sure she believed him. He had always been such a
good liar. And Belladonna was so beautiful. But this was madness.
Cass was a taken woman. She would not let Falco’s words set her
heart racing—not any longer.
Suddenly she glanced up and saw a pale face watching her from
the other side of the wrought-iron fence. The whole night went
blurry.
Luca.
As she leaped up from the edge of the fountain, his face vanished
into the dark. She stepped in the direction of the fence but realized
it surrounded the entire property. “I have to go,” she said. Spinning
on her heel, she rushed toward the back door of the palazzo. “Promise me you won’t look for me,” she called back over her shoulder. “It
could be dangerous for us to be seen together. Swear you’ll stay
away.”
Falco hurried after her. “That’s one promise I don’t know if I can
keep, starling,” he said. “Where are you running off to?”
Cass couldn’t bring herself to say Luca’s name aloud. “I beg of