Page 101 of Unveiled

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy.” I stepped through the back door after him and closed it behind us. “Tomorrow, we’re going to Sperlonga.”

Excusing myself, I hurried up the stairs, down three hallways to the bedroom. Isabelle was sitting up in bed, covered in blankets when I entered. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun and she still looked exhausted. However, she was just as radiant. I loved how beautiful she was when she woke up in the morning. Her natural beauty never grew old to me.

I sat on the edge of the bed, resting my hand on her leg outside the blanket. “How did you sleep?”

“I kept having bad dreams about losing the baby so I’m not feeling that rested this morning. Also, my body is just messed up and jet-lagged.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” I wrapped my arms around her. “Thankfully, it was just a dream.”

“Yeah.” She sighed into my embrace then sniffed my shirt a few times. “You smoked.”

I sat back. “I did. I’m a bit frustrated. Are you okay?”

“I’m not mad you smoked.” Scooting closer, she laid her head on my shoulder. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“But areyouokay after your nightmare, my love?”

Keeping her head on my shoulder, she nodded. “Yes, I know it was just a dream. I’m not worried.”

Silence fell on both of us. She wrapped her arms around my bicep hugging it. I leaned my head over onto hers.

“So, do you want to talk about what’s bothering you now?”

Nothing in me wanted to bring up Felipe or Jesse again. That was not why we were in Italy. I only wanted to relax with Isabelle and not think about anything else. Instead of bothering her with my stress about them, I shook my head. She sat up, gazing into my eyes.

“What?”

“Noah asked for permission to be exclusive and official with Laura.”

“That must have been what was bothering him at the hotel.” She snickered. “He was being so weird about her. He said it was over.”

“Well, it was…I guess. Until he spoke to me. He wanted my blessing to continue seeing her since he wants to be serious with her.”

“Oh no.” She shifted onto her knees, taking my hands in hers. “Please tell me you didn’t say no.”

I smirked. “I said he has my blessing.”

She let out a puff of air, relieved. “Thank God you weren’t over-protective.”

“No, no. I’m still protective but he’s a good guy and she’s an adult.”

My own statement took me by surprise. I had always let my siblings live their lives, but I would be the first to kill for them in the end. If Noah ever hurt Laura, not even my fiancée could stop me from destroying her own flesh and blood.

Isabelle’s eyes were bright as she absorbed every detail of the well-preserved and renovated castle and grounds. She kept praising my family and me for owning such a magnificent place. Though I admit, I was proud of it and loved every memory made here, I felt strange with her praising us for having possessions. To me, it was more about the emotional past and time spent here before we were all living our own lives.

As I took her to my favorite spot in the home, high above the estate in the north tower, she meandered the room, running her fingertips over the modern furniture. She spun around on her heels, smiling. “This is insane.” She bounced over to the window, peering out the glass. “It’s just so breathtaking. Everything about Italy is perfect. Why would you have ever moved to the states?”

I opened my mouth to respond but she could not see as she was still gawking at the view.

“I mean,” she spun around, “I’m really glad you did of course, but why would you want to leave all this?”

I chuckled, sliding my hands in my pockets. “Business opportunities and you know the rest.”

“Right.” Hands perched on her hips, she titled her head. “I think it’s adorable you hung on to it.”

“The buyers planned to turn this place into a hotel, and I didn’t want that to happen. So, I bought it from my parents before they could sell.”

“Mi scusi, signore Greco.”

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