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What is he doing?
“Sorry, princess. Your phone is traceable, and few people know where my island is. I want it to keep it that way.”
“Oh, okay,” I mumble, a little confused.
I suppose it makes sense, but isn’t this overkill?
“You can turn it off completely until we get back on Saturday or give it to Santino, who can make it untraceable.”
I can’t be without my phone for that long, so I nod in agreement. Santino appears a few minutes later and takes my phone away.
“At the end of our trip, can Santino put everything back to normal?” I frown.
I’m not sure I like any of this.
“Of course, princess.”
Pacified for the moment, I dig into the food. It’s delicious. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I started eating.
With all the pasta and pizza I’ve consumed on this vacation, I’m sure I’ll be ten pounds heavier by the time I get back home. Good thing I’ll be burning off some of these calories later on. The thought makes me chuckle, and Tiero raises a curious eyebrow.
“How do Italian women stay so slim with all the carbs they’re eating?”
“They have a lot of sex,” Tiero deadpans. “You see, that’s why older women are rounder… less sex, more pounds,” he winks.
Is he serious?
I suppose it would make sense, but I’m not sure if he’s pulling my leg.
“Well, given all the carbs I’m devouring, I better have a lot of sex tonight,” I reply sheepishly.
Tiero chews his food, grinning. “I can help you with that.”
“I bet you can,” I say with an equally big grin.
We eat in comfortable silence for a while. Then something that has bugged me since our date at the Irish pub pops into my head.
Our upbringings couldn’t be more different, and I want to understand his more.
“Tell me about your childhood,” I say in between bites. “What was it like growing up in your family?”
The question seems to surprise him, and he chews thoughtfully before speaking.
“Where to begin?” he muses.
“When’s your birthday?” I interrupt.
“My birthday? It’s August ninth.”
“Is this why your middle name is Leandro? Because your star sign is Leo?”
Tiero chuckles. “No, that’s a coincidence. My middle name was always going to be Leandro… after my great-great-grandfather. He started the De Marco businesses. Every first-born son is gifted with this middle name in honor of his achievements.”
“That’s a lovely tradition. Good thing his name didn’t mean little duck or pretty dove or something like that.”
Tiero throws his head back, laughing, “Yes, it’s a very good thing.”
“And what was he like, Leandro De Marco? Did your nona tell you stories about him?”
