Page 20 of Promise Maker

Knockingjoltsme fromsleep.

I must have cried until dozing off. My eyes feelswollen, and my throat is dry.

I rise to answer the door.

A plump woman with glistening sea-green eyes,graying dark hair, and freckled ivory skin beams at me.“Ciao. Sono Paoletta. Signora Martellitoldme tobringyoudinner.”

“Oh, hi.” I open the door for her to enter,watching as she sets the platter on the stone table in the corner. “Thank you,Paoletta. It looks and smells good. But I’m afraid I don’thave much of an appetite.”

She frowns. “It’s all right. Nico said you likedrice and stewed beef.”

I wrinkle my forehead. “And how does he know?”

“From your online account,” she answers with ashrug as if it’s common knowledge.

I can’t believe it. That fucker checked myinsta, but he never bothered to reach out.

As sad as I am, that still pisses me off.

“Bene,scusami.”Paolettawaves and exits the room.

I hate that she went through the trouble, so I tryto eat some of the food. But my stomach turns at every attempt, and images ofdead bodies and blood fill my vision.

A tear escapes yet again, salting my mouth as Ibite my lip. “Ugh.” I chug some of the sweet beverage and walk to the balcony.

The door opens minutes later, breaking me from thehorrible thoughts.

Domenico marches inside.

I step into the room, cock myhipand fold my arms. “You don’t knock here?”

He looks at the food on the table and snaps backto me. “You still haven’t eaten. Must I bring the doctor to shove tubes up yournose and feed you liquids?”

I balk and blink profusely. “I don’t have anappetite. I watched my father die after being shot. There was blood all overthe home where I grew up. So eating is the last damn thing on my mind rightnow.”

“I told you to stay in the car last night,” hegrits.

I throw my hands up. “You don’t get to tell mewhat to do! The only man who had that right is dead. By the way, you said you’dprovide a phone to call my friend.”

He stiffens his jaw. “You’ll get the phone afteryou eat. I don’t want you falling ill.”

“What do you care?” I snap.

“I promised your father,” he grunts in return.

I sputter a sarcastic chuckle. “You don’t keepyour promises, Domenico. Besides, why get involved? My father and I mean nothingto your family.”

“You’re wrong, Solari. Your father saved myfather’s life when they were boys. We will take care of you; give our blood ifneeded.”

I gasp at the declaration and what he’s divulged.“I…didn’t know that.”

“You don’t know many things. Your father kept youvery sheltered. He spoiled you. Francesca is right. You are naïve.”

“Vaffanculo!” I spit.

Domenico lifts his brows and switches his weightto the other leg. “Oh, so you did learn Italian.”

“I learned curses last year when I realized you lied.”That’s not all, but he doesn’t need to know.

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