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Gripped by an urge to reassure, Luca set his hand against the small of her back and felt her flinch. She darted him a look that made his stomach harden. There was no weapon in her hand now, but the wariness and distrust in her eyes told him she was still afraid.
How many times in the months since he’d returned to Sicily had he seen that same expression of trepidation and fear?
Too many.
His father’s legacy had tainted the Cavallari name, and many people assumed Luca was cut from the same cloth. Changing that perception and rebuilding trust was proving a slow process.
Luca motioned Mario over. ‘Annah, this is Mario Russo, my driver,’ he said. ‘Mario, this is Annah Sinclair. And this...’ he placed his hand on Ethan’s head ‘...is our son.’ Saying the words aloud for the first time sent a quiver of something like pride through Luca’s chest.
A smile wreathed Mario’s face, transforming him from grizzly bear to teddy bear. ‘Nice to meet you, Miss Sinclair,’ he said, extending a beefy hand.
Annah hesitated, then put her hand out for a shake. Mario’s enormous paw engulfed her slender hand entirely. ‘And you,’ she said.
Mario looked towards Ethan, who blinked, round-eyed. ‘Hello, Ethan.’
Luca said, ‘Mario has a daughter about your age, Ethan.’
Ethan’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two men. ‘What’s her name?’
‘Liliana,’ said Mario.
‘That’s a pretty name,’ Annah remarked, her features relaxing into a smile.
Mario beamed and then, with a nod to Luca, politely took his leave, returning to the SUV.
Annah’s eyes met Luca’s and her mouth opened, but whatever she intended to say was halted by the approach of a smiling, curly-haired brunette from behind the café’s counter. Luca stifled a flare of frustration.
‘Hi, Annah,’ said the brunette. She sent Luca a polite smile laced with a hint of curiosity. When Annah didn’t offer an introduction, the woman ruffled Ethan’s hair. ‘Hey, young man. Want to see the puppies?’
Ethan grinned. ‘Yes!’
‘Yes, what?’ Annah said gently.
‘Yes, please!’
The woman smiled. ‘Come out the back, then. Laura’s just home from school and having a play now.’ She looked at Annah and Luca. ‘What can I bring you? Coffee? Something to eat?’
Luca ordered a coffee, and Annah a pot of Earl Grey tea.
Once they were seated and Ethan had disappeared with the woman, Luca said quietly, ‘You need to trust me, Annah.’
Her gaze dropped to the blue-and-white-checked tablecloth. ‘I’m trying,’ she said after a moment. ‘It’s just...’
‘Just what?’ he prompted when she didn’t finish.
Her eyes came back to his. ‘I don’t know you, Luca.’
‘Then give me the benefit of the doubt,’ he said, fighting to keep frustration out of his voice, ‘and believe me when I tell you that neither myself nor anyone in my employ will ever harm you or Ethan.’
Her teeth trapped her bottom lip for a moment, drawing his gaze to a mouth he’d tried to forget over the years but hadn’t succeeded in banishing from his fantasies.
‘What is it?’ he said gruffly, shifting slightly in his chair, shocked to find himself aroused by something as simple as Annah biting her lip.
‘I heard things,’ she said finally, her voice lowering a notch. ‘About your father. Things that...scared me.’
‘From whom?’
‘A friend of a friend—an Italian who has relatives in Sicily.’
