Page 36 of Promise Never

“I know. At least let me feed you.” She motions tothe main house. “Come. Join me for breakfast.”

She grasps my hand and pulls me along, leaving nochance for a protest.

I find myself looking around for Alessandro as weenter and turn in the direction of the back patio.

Sofia nods to a chair, and I sit at the same timethat she does.

“Brioche, sausage, strata—orquiche,ifthat’s what you’re familiar with—coffee and juice. I give youoptions.”

“Thank you. Um, you didn’t have to do so much.”

She waves me off. “No worries. I enjoy it.”

I reach for a brioche bun, taking a bite afterspreading cream on it. “This is good.”

Sofia smiles in return.

“Buongiorno.” Alessandro’s deep voice fills theair and prompts tingles throughout my body. “I’ll have a quick bite beforetaking off.”

He kisses his mother’s cheek and sits in the onlyother chair, gaze steering to me. “Buongiorno, Tiana.”

“Morning,” I reply, calming the silly emotions.

But why is he staring at me like that?

Can hetellthat he’sstarting to affect me?

“Hm,” Sofia hums, drawing our attention. “I can’tremember the last time you sat down for breakfast.”

Alessandro groans under his breath.

She snorts and looks at her plate, picking up aforkful of the strata.

He carries his gaze back to me. “How are youfeeling?” His conduct with me is different. Something’s…changed.

I blink it away and reply, “Not bad. Healingfast.”

Sofia smacks his uninjured arm and hisses at himbut doesn’t say a word.

Alessandro clicks his tongue.

He’s pouring coffee into his mug whenRunicomes out to the patio. “Miscusi.Eh, Il signor Pietro è qui.”

Sofia turns to her son, worry marring her face.“Why is he here?”

Who’s here?

Alessandro sighs. “I assume because of the burningof the storage unit. I was unable to make the trade.”

“You—” She twists her mouth furiously and pointsher fork at him. “That is why I tell you not to keep things from me.”

“Midispiace, Madre.” Henods toRuni. “See him out.”

Runipeelsoff to do just that. A minute later, a stout, older man with salt and pepperhair exits with theFattoreguards and two of hisown.

“Buongiorno a tutti,” hesaysgleefully.

“Pietro.”Alessandrostraightens to greet him with a handshake. “You didn’t have to come all theway.”

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