Page 37 of Promise Never

“I was in the area for a meeting and wanted to paya visit,” the man explains, voice gritty. “Signora. Comestai?”

“Buono.” Sofia pushes upfrom her chair. “È bellorivederti.”

Pietro leans in to kiss her on both sides of herface.

I stand, thinking it’s the polite thing to do.Plus, I sense that Sofia and Alessandro want no trouble with this man.

He steers his focus to me, forehead creasing as heglimpses my neck.“Chi è questa bellezza?”

Alessandro starts tospeak. “Sheis—”

“La sua ragazza,” Sofiacutshimoff.I have noidea what that means or why Alessandro clears his throat.

“American,” Sofia adds. “Her Italian is not good.”

He chuckles and wiggles his bushy brows, glidingover me like I’m an object he desires to play with and uncover what’s inside.

“Pietro Cavalli,” he says smoothly. “It is apleasure to meet you, signorina. What is your name?”

“Tiana.” I leave it there.

Pietro grasps my hand, raising it to his mouth topress a kiss on the back.

Alessandro utters a low rumble at the gesture andshifts in the spot like a jealous boyfriend.

I politely ease away, feeling uncomfortable.

“Sothe goods were alldestroyed, hm?” Pietro says to Alessandro. “Do you know who is responsible?”

“ZenoCostantini. Vito’sson.”

He scowls. “How troubling. I trust you will handlethe pest soon.”

Alessandro nods. “Very.”

“Good.” Pietro sniffs. “Well, I also wanted toinvite you to an event on Friday at my marina in Trapani.”He owns an entiremarina?“Comeanytimeafter eight.” I scowl when his dark eyes land on me again. “Bring your woman.”

My brows fly up. “Excuse—”

“I will,” Alessandro blurts before I finish. “Cisaremo.”

“Buono. I want to introduceyou to some associates. That is if you’re still interested?” He passes a glancebetween Mother and son.

“We are,” Sofia answers. “Thank you for yourgenerosity since our return to Agrigento.”

Pietro waves it off. “It is the least I can do foran old family.” He pats Alessandro’s shoulder, adding, “I have faith that youwill recoup the goods by next week.”

“Without a doubt,” Alessandro says, giving him afirm nod.

“Excellent,” Pietro replies with a chuckle. “Ciao.Buonagiornata.” He flashesme a wink before leaving with his men.

Runiand theother guards follow behind.

Sofia plops down in her chair, uttering words inItalian.

“Your woman?” I lean to one side and fold my arms.“And what event? I’m not parading around with you like lovers. You must bemad.”

Alessandro hisses. “Pietro invited you. You’regoing.”

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