Arie was floored. How could this be? In all the conversations she’d had with Rome never once had he mentioned a Daniela. And now to find out that he and this woman had ended their relationship just a year earlier?
Her heart was pounding in her chest and she had to clench her fists again but this time it was to keep her fingers from trembling. Through it all she kept her face blank, fighting hard to keep her emotions inside. There was no way she was going to give Vittorio Milano the pleasure of seeing how much his words had affected her. “I don’t believe you,” she said through gritted teeth. “You’re just trying to interfere.”
That made Vittorio lift his eyebrows. “You don’t believe me?” Then he shrugged. “Why don’t you ask Rome all about it?”
Arie was just getting ready to give him a sharp response when there was a rap at the door. They both swung around just in time to see the door open and a man who looked too much like Rome to be a stranger entered the room. “Sorry I just got here,” he said. “I had some things to tie up at the office.”
He walked in, headed straight for Arie and put out his hand. “Pleased to finally meet you, Arie,” he said with a welcoming smile. “Rome’s been boasting about you so much I was beginning to wonder if he’d made you up. Glad to see you’re real.”
For the second time that afternoon Arie was made speechless by the welcome she was receiving but this time it was because it seemed too good to be true. After the cool reception from Rome’s mother and the vehemence of his father she’d expected more of the same but this newcomer seemed so genuine. She didn’t know what to say.
“I’m real, thank you.” She nodded as she took his hand.
“Where are my manners?” he said with a shake of his head. “I’m Lorenzo, Rome’s brother."
“Hello Lorenzo,” she said. “I’m pleased to meet you, too.” If only the rest of the family could be like this one. Arie almost gave an audible sigh.
“Marco’s on his way in. He’s just parking the car.” Lorenzo released her then slid his hands into his pockets as he looked down at her. “He’s the runt of the family and he works for me.”
“With you. Get your story straight, Lorenzo. I work with you.”
Arie almost had to step back as the other brother bounded into the room, almost knocking Lorenzo out of the way. “Good to meet you, Arie. We left work just for you.”
Arie lifted her eyebrows. “I appreciate that,” she said.
But Marco’s attention was now on his father. “Papa, how come you have Arie locked away in your office? Trying to keep her all to yourself?” He laughed. “It’s not going to work.”
Then his quick and ready smile was replaced with a frown. “But guess what? On the way here Mama called and we had to stop and collect a whole lot of plants for her. They couldn’t fit in her car so we loaded them into the back of the truck. She was at Daniela’s house and Rome-”
“Marco, I don’t think Arie wants to know about Ma and her boring plants.” Lorenzo broke in, effectively silencing his brother. The fierce look he gave his younger sibling could not be mistaken. It clearly meant, shut the hell up.
But Marco had just dropped a burning coal in Arie’s already turbulent mind and there was no way she would let it go until she’d gotten some answers. “What was that about Rome?” she asked, taking a step closer so she was looking directly at Marco. “What were you going to say?”
“Uh, nothing. It wasn’t anything important.” He turned as if intent on beating a hasty retreat.
But Arie was having none of that. She put a hand on his arm, stopping him before he could get away. “Marco, please. Just tell me. I can handle it.”
Looking like he had no greater wish than to disappear, Marco looked across at his brother but all he got in return was a scowl. Seeing that he’d gone too far to turn back, he sighed. “Rome was there,” he said in surrender. “He was at Daniela’s house.”
Arie looked at Marco and then at Lorenzo and the older brother was regarding her through narrowed eyes. “You know who Daniela is?” he asked.
Arie stared at him for a moment longer and then, slowly, she nodded. “I know who she is.” Her voice was quiet, resigned, but it was not emotional. Whatever all of this meant, she would deal with it. And she would not get emotional, not in front of the family.
But she almost lost it when she glanced over at Vittorio. In his eyes was a wickedly happy gleam that he made no attempt to hide. This Daniela person was the one he wanted for his son. That much was clear.
But it was Rome’s choice, wasn’t it? So the question was, now that he was back in Italy among friends and family, would he choose Daniela over her?
When Rome got back he was going to have a lot of explaining to do.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Rome was grumbling to himself as he drove swiftly along the autostrada toward his family home. He could not believe what his mother had done to him. First, she’d tricked him into taking her to Daniela’s house, then she’d run off with the housekeeper, leaving him in Daniela’s company for nearly an hour, and now this.
He glanced in the rearview mirror at the two women chattering away in the back seat. With his mother, looking as comfortable and carefree as ever, was Daniela. She was on her way to the house with them and it didn’t seem to bother her one bit.
But it was bothering the heck out of him. Why his mother had insisted that Daniela accompany them back home, he could not fathom. It wasn’t like he and the woman were involved anymore. Were Daniela and his mother this chummy all the time? He just couldn’t figure it out.
And what the heck was he going to say to Arie when he showed up with his ex?
At the thought his solitary grumbling started again but, as they’d done throughout the whole journey, the two women just ignored him.
When they got to the house Rome went around to the passenger door to help his mother out. That taken care of, he leaned down to give Daniela his hand. She took it but then she refused to let go. As she rose from the car she stumbled against him then clung to his arm as she steadied herself.
“Are you all right?” he asked, making sure she was standing on her own before he began prying her fingers loose.
“I’m all right now,” she breathed, leaning against him then sliding her hand down his arm before moving away. The way she was behaving, anyone looking on would think they were still involved. What kind of game was this woman playing?