Giulia rises gracefully, setting her napkin beside her plate. “Before we move to the sitting room, I should mention that Antonio and I are leaving for Sicily in two weeks time.”
“We’ve had this trip planned for months,” Antonio adds. “Six weeks visiting family in Palermo, then some time at the villa in Taormina. We’re leaving two weeks from tomorrow—gives Silvo time to handle the business transition properly.”
“Father with everything happening—” Silvo starts, but his father waves him off.
“You’re a married man, running the family business. You don’t need us hovering over your shoulder.” Antonio’s gaze shifts to me. “And you two need time to build your life together without us interfering.”
Giulia comes around the table, taking both my hands in hers. “Carmela,cara, this is your home now. You can’t truly become the mistress of this house with me running everything.”
Her smile is warm but knowing. “Besides, we’ve been looking forward to this trip for so long. Antonio needs the rest, and I want to see my sister.”
“Six weeks is a long time,” I say, unsure if I’m relieved or terrified at the prospect of being alone with Silvo in this massive estate. Well, not entirely alone, Federico and Isabella live here too.
“You’ll barely notice we’re gone,” Giulia assures me with a laugh. “And Isabella and Federico are always around if you need anything.” She pats my cheek affectionately. “By the time we return, you’ll have found your rhythm here.”
“The household staff will take care of everything,” Antonio adds. “And Silvo knows how to reach me if there’s any real emergency with the business.”
Silvo’s hand finds mine under the table again, squeezing. I can’t read his expression—is he pleased about this privacy, or does he feel the same uncertainty I do?
“Why don’t we retire to the sitting room for coffee and digestifs?” Giulia suggests, her tone making it clear this topic is closed. “We should enjoy our time together over the next two weeks.”
We all follow suit, Silvo offering me his arm as we make our way to the cozy room filled with plush sofas and armchairs. A fire crackles in the hearth, casting a warm glow over everything.
I settle onto a loveseat, Silvo taking the spot beside me. His arm drapes over my shoulders, pulling me into his side. It feels strange, being so close to him in front of his family. Intimate.
Isabella perches on the arm of Fed’s chair, sipping delicately at a small glass of limoncello. She catches my eye and gives me a subtle wink, as if we share a secret joke.
Antonio leans back in his armchair, swirling a snifter of brandy. “So, Silvo,” he says, fixing his son with a pointed look. “Now that you’re a married man, it’s time to start thinking about the future. The family business.”
I feel Silvo tense beside me, his fingers tightening on my shoulder. “Father, I don’t think now is the time?—”
“Nonsense,” Antonio cuts him off with a wave of his hand. “Carmela is a part of this family now. She deserves to know what she’s gotten herself into.”
“Carmela doesn’t need to be involved in any of that,” Silvo says, his voice tight. “I’ll handle the business, like always.”
“And what about when you have children?” Giulia asks, her eyes flickering to me. “Will you keep them in the dark as well?”
Children.
The word lands like a sucker punch. I hadn’t even considered the possibility, too caught up in my own drama to think about the future.
Silvo must sense my discomfort because he takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he says firmly. “For now, let’s enjoy the evening. It’s not every day a man gets to introduce his beautiful wife to his family.”
I force a smile, trying to push down the rising panic in my chest. What have I gotten myself into?
9
SILVO
The night air is cool against my skin as I step out onto the terrace, a glass of scotch in hand. My gaze falls upon Carmela, her green eyes sparkling with laughter as she converses with Fed. The way she handles his antics with grace and wit impresses me. Despite the rocky start to our union, she carries herself with a confidence that pulls me in like a magnet.
Fed leans in, no doubt cracking another one of his outrageous jokes. Carmela throws her head back, laughing freely. The sound is infectious, and I find myself smiling in response. Her cheeks flush with amusement, and I can’t help but admire her beauty. She’s angelic.
As our eyes meet across the terrace, a charge of electricity passes between us. Carmela’s laughter fades, replaced by a look of curiosity and desire, perhaps? I take a sip of my drink, never breaking our heated gaze.
“Aw, come on, Carmela,” Fed whines, trying to regain her attention. “That one was a classic!”
Carmela tears her eyes away from mine, offering my brother an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Fed. You had me going for a minute there.”
