Chapter 153

Alessandra nudges me with her foot and smiles gently, catching my attention, and I smile back. She can see it too, and she’s trying to soothe me with an ‘it will be okay’ look. It doesn’t take away the colossal cavity forming inside me, but I put more effort into appearing fine, so she believes I am.

I must have dozed off as we drove from the small airfield as next thing I know, a warm hand brushes my shoulder to rouse me, and I flick my eyes open. A slight moment of joy that he’s finally over his sulk, but Alessandra is the one leaning over me gently. Crouching in the car to accommodate her, so she doesn’t end up sitting on top of me.

“We’re here, Bambina. Alexi and Gino have gone to open the house and switch on the lights. It’s very early.” That sexy Italian sultry accent of hers is so thick and familiar but adds another wound to my heart. That he left her to wake me and bring me in rather than do it himself. That instant dissolving of a tiny flicker of happiness, and