I forced a smile, but I wasn’t confident.

I had never even flown on an airplane before –

And here I was, about to go straight to the airport in Florence and fly to Sicily!

“Well…” Alessandra said as we reached the door.

“I guess this is it,” I said as I turned to face her.

We looked at each other –

And then both of us welled up with tears as we laughed and embraced.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” I sobbed.

“Hopefully you won’t be away for long,” she whispered into my ear.

I wasn’t nearly as hopeful as she was.

The idea that I could go to Sicily, find Valentino, and convince him to disobey his family’s orders?

It sounded like a fairy tale to me.

Alessandra wassureit would work, though.

When I’d told her my doubts, she said,I’ll believe for the both of us.

Right now, she was doingallthe believing.

But I wanted Valentino back so badly I was willing to try just about anything.

That was immediately put to the test.

“Alessandra,” a voice said darkly.

We stopped hugging and looked over to see Don Rosolini and Niccolo striding towards us.

Both of them lookedangry.

Not only that, but two foot soldiers were behind them.

My heart literally stopped in my chest.

“Open your purse,” Niccolo commanded me.

I stared at him like a deer in headlights.

“When didyouget back?” Alessandra asked, evidently surprised to see him.

“Half an hour ago,” he answered, then turned to me and snarled, “Isaid– ”

“She’ll do no such thing!” Alessandra interrupted.

Niccolo pointed at her.“YoustayOUTof this!”

Alessandra looked like she was about to tear Niccolo limb from limb –

But Don Rosolini jumped in first.