Page 46 of Savage Prince

Serena steps over the bench seating and nearly slips on the damp deck. I spin around just in time as she flops into my arms.

“Attenzione!” Mariuccia shouts from the dock, a shit-eating grin on her face when I catch Serena. She’s pushing a wagon filled with gardening tools and fresh flowers for planting. Her dedication to the villa’s flourishing land is all for nothing because I don’t plan on remaining here for long. I simply don’t have the heart to tell her.

“Damn it, you should have waited until I could help you,” I growl into Serena’s ear as I attempt to steady her.

She glares up at me, that defiance back in her deep blue gaze, and as irritating as it is, I prefer it a hundred times over to the vacant expression she wore yesterday after Otto?—.

Memories of the incident has the blood boiling in my veins, and another wave of fury threatens to erupt. My fingers curl around her hips, and I don’t even realize how deeply they dig into her skin until she lets out a squeal and shoves free of my hold.

“Damn it, Toni, I’m not going to jump off the boat to escape. You don’t have to manhandle me like that.”

Toni? I’m not certain I like the new nickname.

Gritting my teeth, I apologize, but find myself reaching for her, nonetheless. She may not try to jump but with that weak ankle and the slick floorboards from the early morning dew, she could slip overboard anyway.

“I have no intention of going for a swim today so do me a favor and just hold onto something.” Guiding her hand to the stern, I finally find her steady enough to focus on the task at hand. I adjust the dashboard’s vintage gauges, while keeping one hand on the steering wheel. To be honest, I was surprised the engine started today. Who knew when was the last time anyone used this old thing?

Finding an old rag in the cabinets beneath the seats, I wipe them down then glance up at Serena. “Okay, you can sit now.”

“Such a gentleman.” She smirks as she slides onto the creamy leather still wearing my sweatshirt from earlier.

The seats have held up surprisingly well all these years. Pushing back the retractable canopy, I glance across the peaceful lake. Mariuccia wasn’t wrong. It is the perfect day for a leisurely cruise across the water.

Pivoting back toward the villa, I find my former nanny watching me expectantly. As if this were some sort of date, and she’s as nervous as I am. Not am. Would be. If it were a date,which it isn’t. Serena is my hostage and what happened to her with Otto has muddled things.

It’s ignited some deep-buried, primal need to protect her which is the exact opposite of what should be happening. My gaze flickers from Mariuccia’s stupid grin to Serena splayed out across the seat, her legs propped up on the gleaming mahogany of the vintage vessel. She’s folded my sweatpants up her long legs, exposing tanned skin below the knee. With the shape of a speed boat, the Riva is built for swift acceleration and quick turns, but there would be none of that today. Not with my prized, injured possession in tow.

“Oh, wait, before you go!” Mariuccia waves frantically from the dock as we start to inch forward. Leaning over the wagon, she pulls out an old wicker basket covered in a floral tablecloth. “I brought you a snack, in case you get hungry along the trip.”

“We’ll be gone for an hour at most,” I call back, irritated. “And we just finished breakfast.”

“A snack sounds lovely.” Serena sits up, reaching across the few feet of water that separates us from the old dock. “Thank you, that was very thoughtful of you.”

Before mytesorofalls into the rippling waves, I lunge forward and grab the basket from Mariuccia’s hands. “Grazie,” I mutter.

“I packed some of your favorites.” She beams at me, and suffocating guilt squeezes my lungs. “Bresaola,taleggiocheese and fresh bread from the bakery in town. And a little bit ofsbrisolonawith a bottle ofspumantefor a sweet finish.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake, she’s made us a picnic!

I keep my expression calm, despite the turmoil raging inside as Serena lifts the flowery covering and oohs and ahhs at the region’s delicacies. “Grazie, ancora,” I repeat. “It was very thoughtful of you, Mariuccia, but not necessary.”

“Speak for yourself,” says Serena as she uncorks the spumante. “Sparkling wine on a boat with this gorgeous scenery is exactly what the doctor ordered after—” Her words fall away, and thick silence descends over the tranquil scene. For a long moment, only the soft lapping waves splashing against the boat’s hull fill the air.

“We’ll be back soon,” I finally call out to Mariuccia to dispel the awkward pause.

“Take your time, Tonio. Enjoy the peaceful moments, the seemingly insignificant ones.” She bends closer so that she’s on the edge of the dock and reaches a hand to me. Curling her fingers around mine, she squeezes, her wrinkled fingers still strong, grip firm. Her eyes lock on mine, a fierceness in that pale gray now that wasn’t there years ago. “Remember, true strength lies not just in power, but in kindness and compassion.” Her gaze flickers to Serena before returning to my own. “Nothing lasts forever in this life, but the love you give and receive is what truly endures. Wherever life takes you, whatever dark paths you may walk, never lose sight of the light inside you. That boy who loved so fiercely, laughed so freely, let him guide you back to peace.”

I stare at her, jaw unhinged, her words resonating in my darkest depths. Unexpected emotion thickens my throat, making it difficult to swallow. I nod slowly before she releases me with another warm smile and a quick wave.

“Ciao!” Serena calls out over her shoulder.

For an endless moment, I watch Mariuccia as she stands on the dock waving, her words lingering in the air long after. The flutter of the little Italian flag over the rutter catches my attention as it proudly waves in the wind, and I return my attention to the steering wheel. The last thing I need is to crash this damned boat, then this entire grand plan would turn into even more of a disaster.

Once I steer the boat around the bend, I follow the coastline, remaining close to the luxurious villas dotting the shores. Lush, verdant mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the tranquil lake.Mammahad come from money, butPapàhad refused to accept a penny of it when we were young. With the exception of this house. It was the only extravagant inheritance we were permitted to indulge in. Maybe it was because he knew how muchMammaloved it here.

With my thoughts brimming over from memories of the past, I nearly forget about my special passenger. Until a sharp giggle streaks through the dark haze, and I swivel my head over my shoulder. Her full, pink lips are curved around the bottle ofspumante, the frothy bubbles dribbling down her chin.

And fuck me, if that tantalizing image doesn’t race straight down to my cock.

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