My forehead puckers as surprise flows through me. “But she’s…”
I trail off, unsure of how to phrase the fact that she’s clearly not Italian.
“She was British.”
I can’t keep the surprise off my face, and my eyebrows shoot skyward. Even before Nico had shown me his true colors, I was well aware he’d marry
a nice Italian girlas dictated by his father. That meant keeping bloodlines pure. No outsiders.
As though I’ve spoken the words aloud, Rafe explains softly. “Their marriage was a love match. My father, Giacomo, met his Rose in London while on business. They had a whirlwind affair that resulted in my brother, Alessio.”
I twist around to see his face. His eyes remain riveted to the painting as he continues. “When her family found out, they werehorrified. The Parkers raised their children to be strict Catholics. That meant no sex before marriage.”
His eyes shift to mine, and my forehead creases at the emotion in his gaze. At the deep respect for his parents shining there.
Seeing him soften, especially following the dark threat to a stunned Sasquatch on the stairs, is truly mesmerizing. I can’t tear my eyes away. I don’twantto.
“Papa married her and brought her back here. I’ve been told that many members ofla famigliatook insult from the action, but they didn’t remain alive long enough to cause an issue.” He shrugs as his lips lift in a wicked smile. “I mean, it’s one way to shut the dissenters up.”
My mouth twitches, and something tangible passes between us until he steps back. I quickly swallow down the desire to move closer once more.
“You mentioned a stepmother. Does that mean…” I grimace internally, wanting to ask, but fearful of ending our conversation before I’m ready.
He saves me when he answers my unspoken question. “My mother died when I was very young. I only know her through stories. My older brother spoke of her often.”
“Your older brother… Alessio, was it?”
His face is unreadable as he murmurs an acknowledgment. “Mm-hmm.”
“Have I met him?” I’ve seen so many men around the compound at this point that I wouldn’t be surprised, though I have a feeling I’d know him if I saw him judging by the startling resemblance between Rafe and his father.
“He’s dead.” My spine stiffens. “Car crash nine months ago.”
His eyes are dark as they hold mine while I try to find the right words, but everything falls short. My chest tightens when I’m struck with the knowledge that this man is doing whateverhe needs to do in order to get his remaining family back in one piece.
Knowing that I’d move Heaven and Earth to keep the one person I love safe from all harm.
“I—”
I freeze when the projector screen lights up. A dark walnut desk is front and center, a chair behind just waiting for Nico to fill it, and my stomach floods with fear at the knowledge. I push it down, as deep as it will go, and tuck my hair behind both ears before we walk closer to the projector.
“I’m sorry,” I barely whisper, making him look down in question. “For your loss. Forallof your losses.” His face softens ever-so slightly and he nods his thanks as we stand before the camera that’s sending our image to Nico’s screen.
Our eyes hold as this tentative connection between us grows stronger before I whisper, “I’ll do whatever it takes to get your sister home safely. You have my word.”
I shift my gaze back to the screen as Nico comes into view, even as I feel Rafe’s eyes focused on my profile. He waits a beat longer, the intensity of his stare sending butterflies swarming in the depths of my stomach, replacing the fear and bolstering my confidence.
Okay, Rivers. You got this.
Nico’s expression is impenetrable as he takes a seat behind his desk, staring at me through the camera lens. He looks my body up and down as though he’s inspecting me for damage.
After all, the only damage he likes to see on my body is the type he inflicts.
“I told you she’s unharmed, Conti.” Rafe’s voice is harder than I’ve ever heard it before. “No point in dragging this out?—”
Nico cuts him off as though Rafe hasn’t even spoken, his eyes still trained solely upon me.
“Hello, hello, hello.” The familiar sadist grin I loathe splits his face. “Oh, how I’ve missed you,mia piccola puttana.”
