Page 52 of Promise Never

Her eyes wilt with concern. “Tiana. Isshe—”

“She’s unscathed,” I rasp. “Justshaken.”

She frowns. “What of you, Ales? Youlook troubled. I have a feeling it is not only about the attacks. It is alsoTiana, hm?”

“I do not want to discuss it, Mother.”

She raises her hands in peace.“Understood. The only thing I will say is this is the first I’ve seen you sobeside yourself over a woman.” She touches my arm. “You always avoided openingyour heart, ever since you were young. I know it’s because you don’t have agood example of a loving relationship. Your father and I were awful together.But that doesn’t mean it will be the same for you. Allow yourself the chance,hm?”

“That’s the issue, Mother.” I sighheavily. “The woman I cannot stop wanting sees the resemblance to a monsterevery time she looks at me. It’s already tragic between us.”

Her eyes soften with empathy. “Ales…”

I kiss her cheek and tell her, “I’mgoing to shower and head out of here. Don’t bother Tiana. Send meals over.”

“Capisco.”She pauses a second, then says, “I hope she will remove her blindfold soon.”She steps past me, leaving her words hanging in the air.

I sure as hell have removed my constraints,and it wasn’t by choice. Now, there’s no other I desire more than Tiana.

Perhaps I should be honest and expressthat to her?

No.

She doesn’t want me, only a safepassage back to the States. But now I wonder if I’ll be able to let her go.

22

Consumed by endless thoughts ofAlessandro, I remain in bed until I start to feel clammy.

Sleeping in the dress that I wore thenight before doesn’t help. It probably has remnants from the rocks.

I crawl out of bed to shower, slippinginto a maxi dress afterward, courtesy of Sofia. Then I change the sheets on thebed.

Someone taps on the door as I’mwaltzing into the living room. When I open it, Sofia offers a kind smile alongwith breakfast.

“I wanted to see how you’re doing.Last night must have been so terrifying.”

She enters once I accept the platter,and I set everything on the table. “I’m fine. I knew I’d face danger here.”

Sofia angles her head and purses herlips when I glance at her. “Do not pretend with me, Tiana. I grew up in thisworld. My life was always at risk, and yet I still feel terrified at times.”

My shoulders hunch as I drop the bravefront. “All right, yes. It was frightening. I thought I was going to die.”

“I can only imagine.” She surprises mewith a tight embrace. Her motherly arms are comforting. It’s hard not to hugher in return, and when she lets go, I feel somewhat regretful.

“Thank you,” I murmur, realizing thatI needed that.

Sofia smiles in return and touches mycheek. “Put some warm food into your stomach. It will help a little.”

I sit down to eat. Her cooking isdelicious as always.

She lowers in the other chair, eyessharp as she observes me. “Is there a man waiting back home?”

I almost spill the juice. “What?”

“Do you plan to reunite with someonespecial? Perhaps marry and have a family?”

Awkward, I scrunch up my face. “No.Why are you asking that?”

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