Loppa grinned. “I’ll take him out if I have to.”
Allie’s mouth opened. “That’s a little?—”
“Necessary. I’m certain Loppa understands what she means to you, and how far he can carry his actions.”
“All I really need to know is that she’s safe, has everything she needs, and is enjoying herself. And, maybe join her.”
There was a note of longing in her voice.
“You’ve never been to Italy before, have you?” I asked.
“No.”
“You planned on being here with her?”
“No, I didn’t. But when she canceled the wedding, I… well, it isn’t every day you get to go to somewhere like this. Right?”
I sat up, prepared to adjust my plans. But Allie rushed to the bed and coaxed me to rest.
That was something I would not do. I held her hand and told Loppa to take care of locating her sister, and to plan an exodus from my father’s cage. Too soon, my father would figure out a way to trap me in his webs. And when that happened, I needed to be somewhere else.
When he exited, I confessed, “I can’t sleep.”
Allie put a hand on my chest. “You don’t have to sleep, just rest. Got it?”
There was one way I could do that. If she stayed with me. I covered her hand with my own. “Keep that there. But tell me, if you had to design a trip for yourself, what would it entail?”
She thought for a long time. The silence was soothing. But there was a pucker between her brows I didn’t like. So, I reminded her, “Remember, this would be only for you.”
Allie nodded, firming up the plans in her mind. “I’d want to visit places that aren’t over-hyped. Art and architecture are great, but I want to get to know the people. How they live, how their ancestors lived. See things that aren’t in the guide book. Eat the real food, not the touristy stuff. I’m not interested in the parties and costumes, and that sort of thing.”
“I’m not either.”
She tipped her head to inspect my face. “That’s hard to believe. You seem so…”
Instead of voicing her true thoughts, she kept them inside. I didn’t want that.
“Insult me.”
“No.”
I smiled. “You want to.”
“No, I don’t. Although, I believe you may take offense.”
“Offend me then.”
She quirked up a brow, as if testing my resolve. But I wanted the truth.
“Please. I give you permission.”
“See? There it is. You’re… you’ve got an aristocratic air. It’s not nearly as pronounced as your father’s, but it’s there. You’re urbane. I’m… not.”
“I’m only that way when I have to be. This place brings it out whether I want it or not.”
Her smile was tight. “I think you were trained to be that way, and can’t help it.”
There was truth in that. “You haven’t seen my?—”
