Page 54 of Promise Maker

“Yeah?”

She twists back to me. “That was Giulia. I met herat eighteen and fell fast. She was exciting—full of so much fire.”

Noting her palpable sorrow, I ask, “What happenedto her?”

Francesca sits back on the bed. “She was next tome when men attempted a hit as a message to Father. My guards saved me, butGiulia wasn’t so lucky.” Her voice shakes a little. “We’d only been together afew months.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She wobbles her head, hair dancing on hershoulders. “I was a wreck after Giulia’s death. My heart hurt so badly. Icouldn’t leave the bed. Nico went looking for the man responsible for the hit.”

“He was only sixteen at the time,” I murmur.

“Sad, I know. But it is common in our world. Mybrother hated seeing me in pain.Sohe took it uponhimself and killed the man for me.” She draws a long, deep breath. “Nico almostlost himself. But something changed after that summer we went to New Jersey.”Her features brighten at the memory. “He saw you again, and his smile returned.You may have upset him with your actions, Solari, but he’ll soften to you soon.He just needs a moment of release.”

“Hm.”

Reaching for my hand, she gives it a gentlesqueeze and says, “There’s no shame in having feelings for Nico. Trust yourheart.”

“You…” I clear my throat, suddenly shy. “You cantell?”

Francesca snorts. “Of course, Solari. Women seethese things.”

I straighten from the bench. “Um, I’m tired. I’msure you are, too.”

With a knowing gleam in her eyes, she mutters, “Buonanotte, Solari.”

“Goodnight.”

I leave Francesca’s bedroom and head for mine.

As I turn the corner and veer down the hallway, asoft gasp rushes past my lips when I discern a figure leaning at my door.

Domenico straightens in the hallway, the flushlight emphasizing his appearance.

The organ in my chest starts to misbehave.

“You’re back,” I sputter like an excitedschoolgirl.

My pulse quickens as he strides toward me. “Let’sgo to the trees.”

Nervously, I follow him to the piazza. The placeis quiet, with guards on patrol.

Stepping out to the back patio in the warm nightair, I shadow Domenico onto the grass. He stops at an orange tree and lowers tothe ground.

I sit beside him. “I’m sorry about today.”

“What was the intention?” he asks me. I’m happythat he doesn’t seem cold anymore.

I wring my hands on my lap while explaining. “I rememberhow you were the other morning, and I thought if I stopped you from killing,then maybe you won’t end up in such a grim state.”

“I see.” His features are visible in the glow fromthe full moon. He’s observing me keenly. “You never posted any men. Why? Yourfather didn’t approve of them either?”

Heat instantly floods my cheeks. “There was neveranyone to approve. I told you, Domenico. I was waiting.”

He cuts his gaze away and releases a long exhale.

Silence settles between us until I speak again.“Did you go back to the warehouse?”

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