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I open the balcony doors and take in the breeze. It’s warm but I stand in it, inhale the salt air. I love it here. I love it more than I do Rome. It’s the company I keep that’s the problem.
After a quick shower, I head downstairs to find Miss Millie getting ready to go out.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“Errands,” she says. “It’s market day and we need some things.”
“Do you think I could go with you?”
“It’s just errands, Gabriela.”
“I don’t mind. I can help. And I’d love to see the market.” I don’t care about any of these things, but I want to talk to her.
She softens. “Let’s ask Stefan. If he doesn’t mind, I’d love the company.”
We both go to the study and Miss Millie knocks.
“Come in,” Stefan says from inside.
He’s sitting behind his desk with his laptop open. “Gabriela was wondering if she could join me at the market,” Miss Millie says.
I hate having to ask his permission. It kills me. But I smile sweetly.
Stefan shifts his gaze from her to me and I expect him to say no.
“Take four extra guards and make sure Lucas is one of them.”
“Four? That’s overkill, isn’t it?” I protest.
“Is it?” he asks. “If you want to go, you take four extra men.”
I turn to Miss Millie. “If you don’t mind?”
“They don’t bother me,” she says, and we close the door and head into town.
The market is set up on one long street a few blocks from the beach with stalls and stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables, with a variety of cheese and olives and meats, basket weavers, jewelry makers and all sorts of trinkets.
I walk with Miss Millie as the men trail us.
“Do you know Rafa’s father well?” I ask her.
She tests two peaches and tells the woman at the stall how much she wants. “I’ve known Rafa since he was born, and although I know his father, Antonio didn’t like him, which meant he didn’t come to the house much.”
“Why didn’t he like him?”
She shrugs a shoulder as she takes the bag of peaches and puts them into her trolley then orders cherries. “He didn’t think Francesco was good enough for Rafa’s mother. Not that he thought anyone was.”
“That’s a little bit of a strange story to me. So, the three of them lived together for a time? Stefan’s mom, dad and aunt?”
“Yes. Antonio met Laura through her sister. They were very close before and even after he and Laura married.”
“Like…” I trail off. She turns to me and I know I should tread lightly. “Were they ever together together?”
She shakes her head. “Never. Not like that. Not that I know. I think they were just very good friends. The sisters were close, too. It was a house filled with love. Hard to imagine that sometimes. Hard to see how it all turned out.”
“Miss Millie,” I ask when we reach the cheese stall. “I want to ask you something important.”
She turns to me. “Of course.”
I glance at the soldiers and she must read what I’m thinking.
“Lucas,” she calls out to one of them. He comes over. “I forgot to buy apples. Go get me a kilo please.”
He nods and disappears. She turns to me, smiles and gives me a wink. “He’s the only one who speaks English. Now ask me your question.”
“It’s about Rafa. Do you trust him?”
She studies me and I get the feeling she knows much more than she lets on. She may slip in and out of rooms like a ghost, but she hears and sees and knows.
“I believe Rafa is a good person. I believe he loves Stefan.”
“But?” Because I hear that but.
“He’s conflicted, Gabriela. You have to understand that he grew up at Stefan’s side. They’re just a few months apart in age. But he always knew he wasn’t a Sabbioni. His father made sure he remembered that. Never gave him his own approval but made sure Rafa always knew he wasn’t quite part of the Sabbioni family. And we’re human. That breeds a certain hostility. A jealousy, maybe. Even if one is unaware of it. I don’t think Rafa would willingly harm Stefan. But although they may be as close as brothers, he’s no more than a soldier, even if he is on a rung above these men.” She gestures to the men hovering near us.
Lucas returns a moment later. “These good, Millie?” Lucas asks, showing her the bag of apples.
She peers inside, picks one out and inspects it. “Perfect. Thank you, Lucas. I’ll make my pie later.”
“Can’t wait,” he says, and we move on.
I replay what she just said. And what she didn’t say.
I have so much to process and my first priority has to be moving Gabe. The thing is, I don’t have any money to do it. I can’t ask my father. I can’t ask Stefan. And the alternative, Rafa’s offer to move him, I’m not sure I want that.
