Maybe someone who worked for the Camerotas, theCosa Nostrafamily that ran the city.
From what Adriano had told me, Don Camerota was an asshole. I didn’t see why his foot soldiers would be any different.
I wanted to tell Emilia that she was wrong, that I was nothing like whoever had hurt her –
But I knew better than to push it.
I knew that I wasn’t going to change her mind –
At least not immediately.
I took a second to gather my thoughts about what I was going to say.
Then I gave her a gentle, friendly smile.
“You’ve been very open and honest, and I appreciate that. From what you’ve said, I assume something bad happened back in Milan. I’m sorry about that.
“But I want you to know,I’m different.I’m going toproveto you that I’m different, and I’m going to change your mind.”
Her shoulders slumped like she was both exasperated and in despair, and she stared at me likeYou’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
I put out my hands likeHold on!“I promise you this: I will never pressure you, I will never bother you, I will never do anything but be friendly and kind to you. But I have to say, I think you’re amazing, and I want to get to know you better. And I’m going toproveto you that I’m a better man than you think I am. All I ask for is a chance. After you’ve given me that chance, if you still don’t want anything to do with me, I’ll respect that. But at least give me a chance to prove I’m not who you think I am.”
She glared at me. “Do I have achoice?”
I gave her a half-smile. “I know I’m going to come off as an asshole by evading your question, but I swear I will never be anything but friendly and kind to you. And if I still can’t change your mind, then I will walk away, and you’ll never see me again… except maybe in passing on the street. I swear it on the lives of my mother and father.”
She looked at me like part of her didn’t trust me, although another part of her wanted to believe me.
But at least she didn’t say anything angry or sarcastic.
“I really enjoyed talking to you today,” I said as I backed away from the bar, “and I appreciate you being honest with me. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow.Arrivederci.”
I gave her one last smile, then turned and walked out of the café.
22
Emilia
Dammit.
How was it that I’d moved 200 miles away, and yet I’d picked up ANOTHERmafiosostalker in the first week I’d been here?
Why the hell did this keep happening?
What did it say aboutme?
…and why did I feel strangely drawn to this one?
When he told me he was going to come back and prove he wasn’t the man I thought he was –
Why did I feel a little thrill go up and down my spine?
Why couldn’t I just staymadat him for not taking ‘no’ for an answer?
…okay, yes, partly because he was gorgeous.
And yes, he was completely different from any other guy I’d ever met.
