He flinched, his subtle arrogance vanishing. "Millie—"
I scrunched up my napkin and dumped it onto the table. "This is just so bloody typical! You get to have multiple affairs during our marriage, but as soon as you find out that I've had them—"
"Them?"
"You suddenly want to be faithful. Well, too bloody bad, Alessio! I'm sorry you saw me with him, but it was a bleeding shot in the dark coincidence. It won't happen again."
I shoved my chair back and stormed towards the double doors, preparing to escape him in a blaze of furious flair.
"Archibald Gareth Heath."
I stopped in my tracks, my hand pausing on the cold door handle as his voice reached me. The words were low and threatening, enough to send a sliver of fear down my spine. I slowly turned around to face him.
"What did you say?"
He took his time stalking towards me, his movements sleek and sure, like a predator who was about to claim his prey. He wore no expression, simply a mask of indifference.
"Archibald Gareth Heath," he flatly repeated. "Twenty-two years old, born in Blackpool to Maureen and Kurt Heath. The family moved to Tunbridge Wells when he was three. He has a younger brother who is currently taking a gap year teaching English in Thailand. His parents took over the Bluebell Bar five years ago and currently live in the attached apartment. Their dream is to run a pub and accommodation, and they have hopes to buy the property from the landlord soon."
"What—"
"You stop seeing Archibald, aka Archie," he spat out, "and I'll leave him alone. Continue—and Iwillfind out—and I will buy the Bluebell Bar out from under his parents and kick them out without a second thought."
A shallow laugh escaped me as I searched his face for any sign of jest. My blood ran cold at the seriousness I spied. The rigid posture, the firm mouth turned white, the flare of his nostrils, and the narrowed glare of his once-warm brown eyes. Alessio was definitely not joking.
"You-you hypocritical bastard," I finally choked out. My body shook as disbelief and rage tore through me.
Alessio simply gave me a thin smile. "You may not have the stomach for ruthlessness, my dear wife, but I do."
With that, he turned on his heel and left.
Chapter 11
Millie
Ifrowned at the view out the window; my nose almost pressed against the thick glass as I focused on Alessio's family villa. I glanced curiously at my husband, but he simply answered with a gentle flex of his fingers in mine, his expression so hard to read behind his designer sunglasses.
The helicopter landed on the designated helipad, and relief washed over me when I finally unbuckled my belt. I'd travelled in a helicopter many times, yet I always hated the experience. When Alessio chose to sit next to me on this ride, instead of his usual spot beside the pilot, I was surprised and grateful—especially when his large hand reached across to clasp mine. The trip didn’t seem so bad this time.
I turned to my husband once the noisy helicopter had flown away. My fingers were still entwined with his and had been since he'd helped me out of the helicopter.
"Where is everyone?"
The driveway was empty of cars, and I only saw one lone gardener flitting about the grounds when we came in to land. Even though the only occupants were Cesare, Katherine, and Dante, they were never without company. Someone was always popping over to visit, or Cesare was entertaining a dinner party. The weeks leading up to Christmas were hectic, with family stopping by to stay for the festive season.
I hadn't been back to Sicily since last Christmas. We stayed for three days, and on one of those days, Alessio was in Rome while I stayed back. Now we would be staying here for a whole week. Together.
"My father, Katherine, and Dante are at his apartment in Rome, and Giada and her family are staying at my hotel."
"Why?"
His hand landed on the small of my back as he guided me to the double doors. I smiled and waved at Francesca, the family housekeeper, who was waiting to greet us.
"I thought we could have a second honeymoon," he explained, his voice low and intimate. “The first time we came here, I remember you were very happy.”
My breath stilled at his words, and a kaleidoscope of memories filtered through my mind. It was a simpler time back then. Of course, my initial recollection was the anger I felt at being forced to spend time with him when I'd wanted to stay in Keating.
But he wasn't wrong—Ididend up happy. I fell in love with my husband on this island, and then swiftly had my heart broken by him in one fell swoop. Christ, that felt like a lifetime ago.
