Page 22 of Their UnBearable Destiny

Chapter Six

Dinner was a quiet affair.Felisa was having her meal with Franco Bennetti. Franco was one of the men who worked to protect the valley and its people, and a shifter. And Franco was working very hard to convince her that she was his mate.

“Why does she doubt him?” Uberto set his wine glass down on the table, catching her gaze from across the table. “Has he been unfaithful?”

“No. Emiliana glared at him. Why would you say that?”

He shrugged and moved slowly suddenly desperate to focus her on another topic. “I just wanted to know why she would doubt his word.”

“Again,” she sighed, “that might be my doing. For so long she’s had to listen to my opinions and I don’t think she had any dissenting viewpoints beyond my father.”

“What about her friends?” He picked up the bottle and gestured to her glass.

She shook her head and reached for her water glass. “Felisa had more friends when she was younger, but as they moved away to college or for work, she focused the time and attention on those people here in the Valley that need her help.”

“A remarkable young woman.”

He meant the compliment, but it made him happy to see Emiliana blush at the compliment paid to her sister.

“The best,” she told him, and he could hear the truth she put into the words that came directly from her heart. “And yet, I wonder if I’ve done her more harm than good.” She didn’t look up to meet his gaze, focusing on the nearly pristine tablecloth that she had put out for dinner. “I thought to prepare her for her future, but I was too blinded by my own pain to see that instead of helping, I might have made matters worse.”

“There’s no use upsetting yourself with the past. There have been times in my life when I wanted to go back in time and fix my own mistakes, but would I want to fall back into the past and wonder if instead of changing things for the better that I might make them worse.”

“You?” She tried to keep her tone light, “I’m sorry, I truly am. Father has always said I was too smart mouthed for my own good. But I was honest when I told him that I come by the terrible trait honestly.” Her grin was intoxicating. “I got it from him.”

Shaking his head in both disbelief and appreciation he smiled. “I doubt he took that well.”

Emiliana shook her head. “Not at all. If it had been Davide saying such things, I’m sure he would laugh and cuff him on the shoulder and make light of how self-assured he was to speak to his father.”

Uberto couldn’t argue with her assessment. Alfonse would accept more from a male child than a woman.”

She smiled, and he wondered what had touched her and produced such a winsome look.

The silence continued on for a few moments as she swirled her water about in her glass.

“What are you thinking?” He hoped his comment didn’t startle her enough to erase the soft expression on her face.

“Just thinking about the children,” she set her glass down and shifted in her chair. The children at the café. They were an unexpected pleasure.

“They were.” He nodded. “I didn’t think so. It was good to see him. I never understood how talented he was until I had to live without his gnocchi. I’m glad I had the chance to tell him so.”

“He was happy to see you too,” her tone had softened and he turned to look. Her hands had slowed their progress, seeming to stop for a moment, holding onto the next button, instead of loosening it from the hole. “He’s always at the café helping his son.”

Uberto’s smile was full and easy. “It’s how things like this are done. A skill passed down through the generations. Why some names are professions and others locations. Passing down our heritage leaves a mark upon the world in some way.”

“Like children,” her voice sounded tight, as if it had been stuck in her throat and had to force its way free. “That’s what you’re trying to tell me. Passing down your name through a child like your brothers.”

He couldn’t help the smile on his lips. “Why are you so worried about children?” Her mouth opened, and he knew she was preparing to argue. “My brothers are doing a fine job of continuing the family line. I don’t need to.”

“Salvatore had a girl,” she shot back. “And what if Valerio’s child is a girl as well?”

He couldn’t help the impulse he felt rocketing through his body. It wasn’t his bear forcing him to her side. It was his own need to be near her and offer his comfort, his support.

His hand closed around her upper arm, gently circling her without causing her pain or fear. “Mia anima,” he tried to reach her with his voice, “a girl is just as much a blessing as a boy would be.”

She struggled to pull back and away from him, but he didn’t let go, afraid she would stumble back. Still, he didn’t hurt her.

“The Orsino line needs strong blood and a male heir-”

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