Page 13 of Promise Never

A few minutes later, a guard knocks and opens thedoor without waiting for an invitation. “Signora says to join her forbreakfast.”

I rest my hands on my hips, telling him, “Thanks,but I already had cereal.”

He turns hishead,an intimidatinglook on his face. “Signora is not asking. She insists that you join her.”

Oh, damn.

The guard leads me to the back patio of the main house,where Sofia is sitting at a circular stone table, basking in the sunlight.

Flowers and trees of various kinds splay acrossthe massive well-kept yard. I can see why she’d dine out here in such serenity.

Sofia dismisses the guard at my side and juts herchin to the chair across from her. “Have a seat.” She proceeds to spread jam ona fluffy biscuit.

Once I lower into the chair, she gestures to theplatters in the center. “Help yourself. Do you like sausage?”

“Yes. Thank you.” I scoop sausage and biscuit ontothe empty plate and pour orange juice into the glass.

“Alessandro always rushes off, and our staff istoo awkward to eat with me.” She watches me take a bite. “How is it?”

“Good. Do you cook for yourself?”

“Yes.” That surprises me, considering I glimpsed ahousekeeper inside, and a gardener is tending to her flowers.Soit seems they would have a personal cook, too. Maybe shedoesn’t trust anyone to prepare her food.

Sofia resumes eating. After a minute, she asks ina serious tone, “Who are you? What is your name? Why is my son letting you stayin our guesthouse?”

As the mother of killers, who knows what thiswoman might do to me, so it’s better not to mention specific details. Plus,there’s a reason why Alessandro is leaving her in the dark.

Contriving a smile, I say coolly, “Just a newfriend of Alessandro’s. We met at the club. I had an issue at the place I wasstaying, so he’s letting me crash here. I’ll be gone before nightfall.”Ihope.

Sofia sets her fork down, wipes her mouth with thenapkin, and braces back in the chair. The expression on her face is unsettling.

“Do not lie to me.” Her Italian accent sounds eventhicker with the sternness of her voice. “I know my son. He avoidsrelationships like the plague, which is why he doesn’t spend too much time withwomen. You’ve been at my home since last night.” She tapers her dark gaze tochilling slits. “Again.Whoare you?”

Oh, she wants to take it there.

“All right then.” I place my hands on my lap andlean back. “My name is Tiana King. My sister, Trinity, had the misfortune ofdrawing your other son’s attention during his stint in the States.”

Her face turns pallid as if already sensing whereI’m going.

“My sister worked at a lounge. Another waitresstold me that she’d rejected him.” I free the tightness in my throat tocontinue. “Luca followed her home, assaulted her, and left her for dead. I’dglimpsed him just before he took off. When I ran into the apartment and saw mysister—”

“Please!” Sofia puts her hand up. “That’s enough.”She massages her temples. “Dio. I’m assuming you cameto Sicily to kill him.”

“Yes. But someone beat me to it.”

“Domenico Martelli,” she rasps. “Martelli are mycousins. We had a history of hostility until Emanuele agreed to peace. It wasso tense before that I had to leave Italy with my two sons. Luca fledtowherever. He was…problematic.” She harrumphs. “He emergedover a year ago, kidnapped Domenico’s wife in hopes of gaining assets she’dinherited after he’d killed her father.” She reaches for her drink, adding,“Even I understand why Domenico killed him.”

I slowly shake my head. “Seems Luca was quite thedemon. No offense.”

Sofia snorts and drinks a little. “None taken.Luca was my second mistake. His father was the first.”

Shit. I wonder if my biologicalmother felt the same. After all, she abandoned my sister and me.

“What about your other son?” I ask, picking at myjeans.

“Enrique.” She chuckles under her breath. “Myyoungest. He ran off with his lover when we were in Spain. I haven’t heard fromhim since. But you know what? I’m not sure I care.”

My god.

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