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He visibly tries to rein in his temper. “I have to leave for a few hours. The helicopter will pick me up soon. You will stay here. Alonso will remain on the island. Call him if you need anything. I’ll be back later.”
His voice is lacking its usual warmth and warns me not to argue with him. I’m only too happy to comply. I certainly don’t want to upset him further.
This isn’t how I imagined this day to unfold. It’s the second last day of my vacation, but if Tiero is in such a foul mood, it’s probably for the best not to spend it with him. I have no idea how to deal with an angry Italian.
I leave the bedroom, grabbing the book I’ve been reading from the nightstand. With tightness in my chest, I try to make myself comfortable on the daybed near the pool. I can hear Tiero on the phone again inside.
Thoughts are racing through my mind. What could have happened to provoke such an explosion in him?
Did someone die?
The car incident when we met comes to mind. Was someone run over? God, I hope Mateo is all right.
Moments later, Santino and Alonso arrive on quad bikes. They look as tense as Tiero, and unease fills me as I watch them warily. My stomach churns, the breakfast I just enjoyed laying heavily in my gut. They nod in my direction as they make their way inside.
In the distance, the sound of an approaching helicopter chops through the air. It gets louder by the second.
Tiero steps out onto the terrace and walks over. He presses a kiss on the top of my head.
“Stay here and close to Alonso,” he instructs. As if I had anywhere else to go, I’m on an island with no means to get away.
“Tiero, what happened? You’re scaring me,” I whisper.
“There’s nothing to worry about, princess,” he tries to reassure me but fails.
“Wouldn’t it be better if I came with you and went back to my hotel? So you can focus on whatever it is you have to do?”
“No. Do as you’re told,” he says curtly, brooking no opposition.
I blink a few times and swallow the lump in my throat.
Wow, he’s never spoken to me this way, and I’m taken aback.
Needless to say, I hate it. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself he’s under a lot of pressure and try to let it go.
Tiero straightens and walks off the deck without looking back, his ever-present shadow Santino following. They mount the quad bikes and soon disappear from view, heading to the heliport in the middle of the island.
What was that all about?
A short while later, the sound of the helicopter taking off fills the air. It flies overhead and into the sunshine. If only it could brighten up Tiero’s day.
I watch the helicopter as it becomes smaller and smaller and then disappears over the glittering sea.
I let out a long breath. Wow, that was intense.
Alonso walks out of the house, and I notice for the first time that he’s dressed casually in a t-shirt and board shorts. So far, I’ve only seen him in suits, and it’s kind of weird seeing him like this.
“Alonso, do you know what’s going on?” I try my luck with him to find out more.
“I’m sorry, Miss O’Neil, I’m not able to discuss this,” he replies firmly. Of course, he isn’t—I guess I’ll remain in the dark then.
“What if Tiero is delayed? We’re meant to leave tomorrow.”
It has been on my mind since Tiero told me to stay put here. I have to leave by tomorrow afternoon, or I will never get back in time for my plane on Sunday.
“I assure you, Miss O’Neil, all is well. Signor De Marco will be back later today, and everything will go ahead as planned.”
Easy for him to say. I doubt he can guarantee me anything. But I have no other option but to wait and see.
