Piers was so tall and so much of his torso rose above the wrought iron that Lucio feared he could topple right over. Four stories wasn't a skyscraper, but it was enough to crush every bone in his body.

It is nothing. Forget it, Lucio said. It was a misunderstanding. Just tell Marco that you want the job after all. Tell him you mistakenly assumed I was available but I am not.

Piers looked over his shoulder and down at Lucio. You wouldn't mind?

Of course not, Lucio said, waving his hand around. They wanted you in the first place! It was your job from the beginning. Take it. Get back to work, Piers. It will do you good.

Piers nodded slowly, then turned his gaze out toward the city. I haven't accepted an assignment since Sylvie died.

I know, mi amigo.

I just realized something, Piers continued, chuckling softly. Maybe all that altruism was just a way for me to avoid facing my own fear. I was able to tell myself I was doing you a favor, when really, I was just afraid to get back into the world.

Lucio nodded, touched by his friend's introspective honesty. It could be.

Forgive me, Lucky. Piers let go of the railing and fell back into his chair. I can be so stupid sometimes.

There is nothing to forgive. Lucio laughed a little.

What is so funny?

Ah, it's just that maybe I should be asking for your forgiveness.

You? Piers seemed baffled. Why on earth?

Because I think I am more shaken up by that whole mess in China than I have led myself to believe. Knowing what Ilsa did to me has made me a bit paranoid. I even thoughtfor just a momentthat you, well, were out to get me.

Piers's mouth went wide, then he laughed. What?

I know, I know, Lucio said. But just for an instant I worried you had arranged for me to go to Mauritius to take me from Genevieve. That you might be a little jealous because you've lost Sylvie and I've just found Genevieve.

Piers closed his mouth with an audible snap of his lips. I see, he said, looking away.

And that is why I ask for your forgiveness.

Piers nodded, but didn't say anything for a long moment. He sighed as he returned his gaze to Lucio. I know it must sting to know that someone you once cared about could treat you so badly. Ilsa tried to destroy your life. It must weigh heavily on you.

Lucio shrugged. Yes and no, he said, sipping his wine. I know she's under investigation and the whole thing will be cleared up eventually, but the more I fall in love with Genevieve and enjoy my pet portrait business, the less it enters my thoughts. Sometimes it feels like China was part of someone else's life. Even losing the Erskine doesn't seem like a fatal blow anymore. He looked up at Piers. Does that make any sense?

Piers offered a small smile. Sure.

I suppose it is no longer about how others perceive me. I am more focused on being true to my heart, being a good man to Genevieve, and being happy. Lucio noticed the incredulous look on Piers's face and they enjoyed a laugh together.

They wrapped up their visit a few minutes later, and Piers gave Lucio a big hug at the door. It had taken a while, but Lucio had convinced Piers to join him for dinner at Genevieve's the next evening.

Fine. I will come, Piers said, looking nervous.

You will love her, Lucio said.

Piers laughed. That's a given! But what if she despises me? You know I'm not good at socializing.

Lucio shook his head and chuckled. Relax, Piers. Genevieve is a good judge of character. She'll love you right back.

He settled back into the comfortable sofa in Rick's den, stuffed to the gills with greasy pepperoni pizza and chicken wings. It boggled Lucio's mind to see how much food Josh and Jason could consume in a sitting. Lucio knew he'd had a healthy appetite as a teenager, but perhaps not this healthy. He did not recall ever eating an extra-large pizza by himself.

A flag? What the' Holding? The ref is out of his mind! Jason turned to Lucio, slack-jawed, tomato sauce on his chin. Did you see that?

Lucio smiled. I did. But I am not an expert with American football. I'm more of a soccer man.

Sure, Josh said. Football in Europe is soccer, right?

Right.

Did you ever play? Jason asked, wiping his hand over his chin, which only served to spread the tomato sauce up his cheek.

I had no choice, Lucio said. My father was a professional soccer player when he was younga goalkeeper for the team in Seville. He also made it to the national team a few times.

No way! Josh said.

Sounds like me, Jason said, tossing a half-eaten slice back into the box. Dad was a big baseball star in college and he pretty much forced me to follow in his footsteps, but he freaked out on me when I didn't make the cut on the traveling team.

Lucio nodded. The same happened to me. My talent was behind a camera, not in front of a soccer goal. Unfortunately, it just gave my father another reason to make things difficult for me.

SOML, Jason said, shaking his head.

Lucio frowned. I'm afraid I do not understand.

That's text talk for ‘story of my life,' Josh said, scrunching up his nose as if he smelled something bad. Jason likes to use expressions he thinks make him cool.

A year on Antarctica wouldn't make you cool, Josh.

Lucio grabbed his beer to hide his smile.

So do you still hang with your dad? Does he still live in that area of Spain you're from? Jason asked.

Lucio nodded. He still lives in Las Alpujarras, but we have not spoken for twenty years, I am sorry to say.

Dude! Jason said. Seriously?

I am afraid so, Lucio said. He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees and pressing his fingers together as he considered how to frame this story for the boys. We did not get along very well. He was I cannot find the word anyway, he was up and down all the time with his moods.

Unpredictable, Jason said.

Volatile, Josh said.

Oh, yes. Lucio paused a moment, not wanting to say anything negative about their own father, but knowing his story resonated with them.

Dad's like that sometimes, Jason said. It's frustrating, because I don't know which Dad I'm going to get when I go over therethe fun and nice one or the complete wack job.

It depends on how the ole in-and-out is going for him that week, Josh said.

Lucio coughed, nearly choking on his surprise. It was a shock to hear how jaded the fifteen-year-olds sounded. It was extremely sad.

Josh continued. Dad really thought his new pussy-puller would be drawing them in like flies, but it isn't working. At least the flies don't fly around for long.

After blinking a few times, Lucio knew he had to ask. What is a uh, what is this puller you mention?

The Porsche 911, Jason said. That's what Dad calls it. I guess it's supposed to help old guys attract young girls. Jason reached for his half-eaten pizza slice, and in three huge bites it was all eaten.

The Host! Lucio let his forehead drop to his hands. It was a complete mystery how Genevieve had remained married to that man for so long.

So have you found out who did all that crap to you in China? Joshua asked, trying to change the subject. Do you have any suspects?

Lucio looked up from his hands, seeing the curious faces of the young men. He chuckled with the realization that Josh had not succeeded in changing the subject in the slightest.

There were quite a few suspects.

Really? Who? Jason asked.

A few women, Lucio said. Unfortunately, for much of my life I did not treat women very well. I left many of them angry with me.

What did you do to them? Josh asked, frowning.

I was not very kind or respectful. I had a reputation for leaving without saying good-bye.

Jason's eyes went huge. That's cold!

And wrong, Lucio said. I have learned my lesson. The way you treat others will surely become the way you get treated.