My stomach twisted. I knew he’d ask, but I was ashamed of thewhy.
I glanced sidelong at Roman. He hung back as I knew he would. He was the staunch observer in the family, whereas Luca was the troublemaker and comic relief. I was the detached fighter. We all looked similar with dark hair, except I was the only one with my mother’s brown eyes. Roman and Luca had hazel green eyes like their mother’s.
“Did she know the night of the party when she left you?” Luca asked through gritted teeth. Always jumping to conclusions, assuming the worst. He liked Isla, but he’d have my back before hers.
“Isla discovered she was pregnant a few weeks after we broke up. She’d heard I was in LA and was going to tell me.” Ipaused, meeting Luca’s pensive gaze. “But didn’t because she saw me with another woman.”
“Ciro!” My sister gasped again.
“It was a misunderstanding, but she thought I’d moved on. I assure you, I had not,” I replied in a firm and genuine tone.
“But it looked like you had,” she said knowingly. Women were spectacular at cutting through bullshit.
“Yes.”
“Who?” Luca asked. His anger was now directed at me.
“That’s not important,” I said.
“The fuck it isn’t. Who?” My baby brother rolled his hands into fists, ready to rip me to shreds on Isla’s behalf.
“Luca,” Padre reprimanded, shaking his head. “And so, Isla finally decided to tell you?”
Luca glared at me. I was sure he’d corner me later for answers.
“Not exactly.” I didn’t want to lie, but I also didn’t want my family to be angry at Isla. “When I went to see her, I asked Fabio Ferrari to investigate her. He discovered the baby.”
“I imagine that was quite a shock,” Rosa said with compassion.
“It was.” I nodded, taking a sip of my drink.
“Then she wasn’t going to tell you?” Padre asked, aghast.
“It doesn’t matter. I know now and spent the weekend with them.” It did matter to me, but I tried not to dwell on it. If I focused on Isla’s betrayal, I might not forgive her. She wasn’t the only one to blame. I had a part too, and my actions were what kept her from telling me about Pippa.
“In San Francisco? She moved there?” Luca was stillhovering on the edge of fury. I wasn’t sure who he was angrier with, Isla or me.
“Yes.”
“Well…” Padre stood from his seat. “I’ll pack my bag. Get the jet ready.”
I stood, blocking his path. “Where are you going?”
“Ciro.” He narrowed his eyes. “Move.”
“Padre, you can’t travel. You just had surgery.” I touched his arm. “Let’s talk about this some more.”
“Why didn’t they come with you?”
“Isla has a job. I’ll bringing them as soon as she can get away.” I knew he wouldn’t sit back and wait to meet his granddaughter. Family meant everything to Padre.
“I will not wait another day to see mygranddaughter.” His voice rose several octaves. “I’m not getting any younger and could have died last week.”
“Can I see my niece?” Luca reached for the phone, interrupting us.
Padre handed it to him with a sigh, then he said, “Ciro, send me all the pictures.”
“Of course. Please, sit down. There’s more.” I nodded at the spot beside Rosa, drained my glass, then passed it to Roman for a refill.
