Page 104 of Claimed At First Sight

“Security who’s been following us home.” Rory points to a car that’s stopped down the road. “They knew where you were.”

Oh, I hadn’t even noticed.

“Well, at least they left me alone. That’s something.”

She hooks an arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze.

“Don’t let them make you regret today,” Rory says, putting her helmet back on.

Never.

Today I laughed, explored, and took risks. I’d caught a glimpse of a version of myself I’d never met before. And I’m not ready to let her go.

“I’ll see you soon.” I wave goodbye to Rory and head toward the massive gates.

The smaller gate beside them opens before I reach it, one of the guards giving me a polite nod.

“Would you like us to drive you up to the house, Miss Accardi?” one of them asks, gesturing toward a vehicle parked to the side.

“No, thank you. I’ll walk.”

God knows what lies ahead when I return to the house. Let me hang on to feeling this good for as long as possible.

The front doors open when I get there. Simon stands waiting, inclining his head politely.

“Miss Accardi.”

“Simon.” I smile as I step inside, peeling off my gloves. “I hope you had a good day.”

“Thank you, I did.” His expression remains professionally neutral. “Your mother is waiting for you in the sitting room.”

Ah. Of course.

The first crack appears in my happy mood.

Mamma waiting rarely means anything good. Inwardly groaning, I take my time unzipping my coat and shrugging it off.

Fortifying myself with a deep breath, I hand my jacket, scarf and hat to Simon and make my way to the sitting room.

I’m hanging on tight to the lingering high from today. Honestly, every second was worth it. I’d do it again tomorrow if I could.

The thought makes me smile as I walk down the hallway. The doors stand half-open, and I step inside to find Mamma seated on one of the cream sofas.

Her spine is perfectly straight and her hands are folded neatly in her lap. Sienna and Ari sit nearby with a tablet resting between them, though neither is paying attention to whatever is on the screen.

Normally, they’d jump up to greet me. The fact that they don’t definitely means trouble.

“Well,” I say, “everyone looks very serious.”

Mamma’s gaze moves over me, as if checking that I’m alright before lingering on my windswept face.

“Mialina.”

Uh-oh. Full name.

Mamma has always been supportive of our interests and little quirks. But when it comes to how an Accardi daughter should conduct herself, it’s a different matter. When Father was alive, she enforced those standards almost as strictly as he did.

These days she’s more relaxed, but not when it comes to the expectations attached to our family name.