by Rachel Renee
When Sophia shuts the door to her apartment, I feel overcome with emotion. My missions never end happily. Well, they usually do for my team, but not for the others involved. This one is unconventional, to say the least.
I spend the rest of the evening packing up my belongings. After coffee with Santi in the morning, I will leave Rome. Hopefully, this time for good. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking the likelihood of me and Eliza ever coming here is pretty slim, so I should make sure I can keep in contact through other means, with Santi and Sophia. They knew Niccolo, but the person I really want them to know is Liam.
As the sun rose this morning, I grabbed up my bags, walked through the space one more time to make sure I had everything, and locked up the door one last time. It was bittersweet to see Charlie’s things spread amongst my own while packing. Charlie’s role surprised me the most out of everyone’s. He was a much better actor than I ever gave him credit for. I believed he had my best interest at heart most of the time. Yet, he was my opponent from the beginning.
Santi messaged that he would be waiting at our table first thing this morning. I was surprised he was feeling well enough to drive himself, but apparently, he didn’t. I spot a man in the driver’s seat of Santi’s car as I approach the caffé.
I give the man a slight wave before walking into the building. The Italian caffé has a smell all of its own as I inhale. The warm aroma of the freshly baked bread and the over-abundant smell of the dark roast coffee assault my senses and cause my own feeling of warmth to spread throughout my body. I will miss this place, the mornings I spent here with Santi.
His smile almost reaches the edge of the bandage covering his head as I approach our table. Santi stands, pulling me into an embrace immediately. “It’s been an interesting journey. There are a lot of things I don’t understand, but I’m willing to listen.” I open my mouth to speak, but the silent head shake from Santi tells me he’s not finished.
“I forgive you,” he says into my ear.
I don’t have to ask for it and I truthfully wasn’t expecting it. Now, maybe never, but he gives it just the same. “You don’t need to do that. Our relationship was built on lies.”
“Maybe so, but the feelings were honest.” He’s still beaming at me when he pulls away and sits in his seat.
“Yes. That they were. Are,” I add. I’m amazed by his growth and courage. I’m not so sure I’d be so willing to forgive someone like me, had I been in his shoes.
His head bobs as his hand motions for me to take my coffee. “That American accent makes so much more sense now.” Santi gives a slight chuckle, as do I. “Now, you told me you’d give me the truth. That is what I came here to get.” The contentment never leaves his face. “Tell me, who are you? I want to know everything.”
This case has come full circle. I entered Rome over ten years ago as a young, inexperienced agent. Over the years, I discovered other parts of myself, and through the process, stand strong as the man I am today. I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face. Grabbing up my coffee cup, I lean back in my chair and begin to weave the tale I would tell any new friend. It starts with a simple statement. I am Liam Cauley.
Thank You!
Thank you for reading!! I hope you enjoyed The Professor!! The first book in The Cauley Files. I’d love to hear your feedback!! Reviews are so important for authors, specifically, Indie published. Please consider leaving a review on Goodreads, Bookbub and any major retailer this book is sold.
If you loved meeting Liam, check out The Savannah PD Series! Liam Cauley originated in that series, and has thus done a spinoff into his own!
Acknowledgments
It’s hard to believe that I’ve written five books and one short story for an anthology. When I started this journey a few years ago, it was just an outlet. The family was traveling back and forth to Illinois where Michael was working. The kids were small and I was spending a lot of time in my own mind while Michael was gone all day. When I finished my first book, Untangling Rose, I didn’t really know what to do with it until someone suggested I look into self-publishing. I haven’t looked back since!
Thank you to all my readers, for the love and support you have shown me through reading my books and sharing them with your friends and family! Without you, these characters would have no life, except for in my own mind.
Thank you, Michael for always supporting me! My carrier of all the (heavy) things at book signings, my early reader to tell me the parts I need to work on, my best friend to be by my side, always, throughout this life. You are so many other things, but we will leave it at those for the time being. Love you!
My parents, who sacrificed so much of themselves when my sister and I were kids and are still selfless in their actions as we are adults. Thank you for all the time, energy and support that you give in everything! Not only those that I’m a part of, but the kids and Michael, as well. Thank you for being at book signings, dance competitions, soccer games…anywhere we need you, there you are. Cheering right alongside us or even from afar, we know you are there, rooting us on. I love you!
Thank you to my Beta Readers! I did things a little differently with this release and am so happy with the results. Denise, Mary, Monica and my Momma…love you ladies and appreciate you taking time out of your busy lives to give me feedback on Liam and loving his book! Pa, I love your edits and sharp eye on the facts. Thank you for making sure it all seems legit! I’m thankful for my ladies in the mystery, suspense author group! Anna, Christie, and Emerald…It was amazing to get the “author eye” on The Professor! You all read Liam’s story, told me what you liked and didn’t care for and I was able to produce something that I’m extremely proud of!
I am extremely grateful for my editor/proofreader Audrey Bobak!!! You made sure that what I’m about to put out into the world is grammatically correct and spelled appropriately. Except for maybe this section, the acknowledgments may be a mess! Lol! I’m also thankful for your support and friendship…so happy to have found you for many different reasons!
Thank you, Alora Kate and Cover Kraze for Liam’s amazing cover!!! Our miscommunication in words through messaging turned into something brilliant! I couldn’t be happier with the results!
Also by Rachel Renee
Untangling Rose, contemporary romance
Instincts, Savannah PD Series, book 1
Human Nature, Savannah PD Series, book 2
Ill WILL, Savannah PD Series, book 3
(crime fiction/mystery/suspense)
About the Author
Rachel Renee, born, raised and is still living near Cincinnati, Ohio. She has traveled to many places, but always comes back home to where the majority of her family lives. Rachel loves to read, when she’s not writing. She loves coffee, Mexican food and a good drink (a margarita or bourbon) after a long week!
After completing a degree in psychology and racking up thousands of dollars in debt, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom and homeschool her children, all the while working on her writing career. While she is not using her degree in the secular world, she uses it on a daily basis, psychoanalyzing her husband of fifteen years and two children (10 & 8), her two dogs, three cats and her life as a writer and a teacher.
Find out more about Rachel
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@AuthorRachelRM
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Also, on Goodreads
