38. Ginevra

CHAPTER 38

Ginevra

E lena’s been living with her second cousin’s great aunt Antonia since she left New York three years ago. Parma’s in the northern part of Italy, about sixty miles from Milan where I flew in. The city is chock full of art, architecture, and music, it’s stunningly gorgeous and the people are so nice.

Aunt Antonia’s of an advanced age. She spends most of her days and nights in her chair, while her caretaker tends to her needs. Most of the times I’ve seen her, she’s been asleep. She looks so peaceful.

Elena really has been alone here. While she has beautiful surroundings, the loneliness must get to her after so many years. To think she spends most of her time inside, when that vibrant city is just out the door. That needs to change.

“I have an idea,” I tell Elena.

She peeks up from the book she’s been reading for like an hour. “What’s that?”

“Pack your suitcase, we’re going to get out of here for a while.” I’ve been here for less than a week, but the solitude is already driving me up the walls. There’s too much quiet, too much time to think. Right now, I really don’t want to have space for my thoughts.

“What? We can’t just… leave .”

“Why not?”

“Aunt Antonia needs me here.”

“For what? You’re not taking care of her, and she’s never awake. I doubt she’ll notice you’re gone.”

Elena closes her book. “You’re right. But I don’t have any money.”

“I do.” I’ve been trying to keep my disappointment and anger at bay, but the fact that I’ve been here for days and Blake hasn’t texted once, hasn’t called, nothing. It pisses me off. To realize that I mean so little to him, that I can fly to an entirely different continent and he just doesn’t care at all? It hurts. Call me petty, but it’s time for some revenge.

I pull out the matte black credit card from my purse. “This should get us to wherever we want to go.”

Elena looks doubtful. “Isn’t that Mr. Baron’s card?”

“It has my name on it.”

“I thought you two were done. Why would you spend his money?”

“Because he thinks I’m a gold-digger, so why not prove him right? Since all he cares about is money, then I want to hit him where it will count. He might not have noticed that I’m gone from his life, but I guarantee he’ll pay attention once I knock a few zeros off his bank account balance.”

Elena laughs, a rare smile on her lips. “You’re scary sometimes. Remind me not to ever get on your bad side.”

“So, are you in?”

“Yeah, let’s do this. I’ll pack my bag, but I don’t have much.”

“Sweet cousin, we’re about to change that. Retail therapy is going to make both of us so much happier.”

Her smile falls. “If you say so.”

“Trust me.”

“ S he’s not going anywhere. Especially with you.” The formidable Italian blocks Aunt Antonia’s doorway. I’m not sure who called in this six foot five barbarian, but he’s really getting on my nerves.

Hands resting on my waist, I pop my hip. “And who are you?”

He glares at me. “Maximo.”

“Never heard of you.” I pick up my purse. “But why don’t you be helpful and take our suitcases to the taxi.”

Elena giggles. Maximo looks offended, but also a little out of his depths. Besides being ridiculously tall, and broad, I’d guess he’s in his late twenties. Jet black waves soften his angular features, the short beard helps too. But it’s those stunning sea-green eyes that will forever make him memorable. Which is how I know I’ve never met this guy before.

He clears his throat and stands taller, as if that’s even necessary. “I’m Maximo Pontrelli. Son of your father’s cousin. I’m in charge of ensuring Elena’s safety.”

Ah, so he’s family. Or at least, he’s Elena’s relative, since I’m not really a Pontrelli.

I glance at her. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a jailor?”

“Because I’ve barely been anywhere. I’ve seen him like once a year when he visits Aunt Antonia for Christmas.”

He clears his throat again. “I visit more often than that.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Oh, I like a snarky Elena. She doesn’t come out nearly often enough.

I turn my attention back to him. “Fine. You can come with us as our security detail.”

“I think not. I have more important responsibilities to attend to here.”

“Sure you do, which is why you’re here trying to stop two women from traveling around the country on vacation. Super important work.” I hold up a palm to stop him from interrupting me. “Before you launch into more crap about Elena’s safety, she won’t be traveling as herself. Duh , how stupid would that be. Haven’t you seen her fake identity? Passport and all. It’s not like she wasn’t just in Paris and London for my wedding.”

Maximo eyes me, then glances at Elena. “Do you want to go?”

She nods.

“Okay. But you will take this and check in every morning.” He hands her a cell phone. “That is secure. And it has a tracker. Keep it on you always.”

Overprotective men . I swallow down a snarky comment. Elena takes it from him and tucks it in her bag.

“You will also give me a full itinerary of where you’re going. I expect it to be on my phone by tonight.”

“Fine.” I grab my suitcase. “Can we go now? Our taxi’s waiting.”

He steps aside, then surprises me by taking both my and Elena’s suitcases to the cab. Maybe there’s a gentleman hidden beneath that rough exterior after all.

“Thank you.”

“Stay out of trouble,” he warns. “I know which daughter you are, the trouble-maker one.”

“Well, it seems my reputation precedes me.”

“I’m very serious.”

I sigh. “I’ll take care of Elena. I promise. We’re going to have lots of fun—very carefully.”

He rolls his eyes. “Go. Stay out of trouble. Anything goes wrong, then you call me.”

“You got it. Bye.”

He murmurs something under his breath, but I don’t catch it because I’m already sliding into the taxi’s backseat.

W e spend the next two weeks sight-seeing during the days and partying in clubs and on private yachts at night, slowly working our way south along the eastern side of Italy. We stay in Venice, Bologna, and Bari, before getting to Messina and working our way up the western side.

Getting away from our lives, staying in luxury hotels, and just being in the world has done us both good. Elena’s less gloomy. And I… I’m still mad at Blake. Three weeks and still no word from him. Maybe he thinks he’s doing the right thing by giving me space or some other ridiculous male rationale. Whatever. I don’t care.

Except sometimes at night when I miss him so much it’s physically painful. On those nights, I cry myself to sleep, but by morning I’m okay. I need to be more than okay, for Elena. My issues are nothing compared to hers, I’m sure of it, and this trip is just as much for her as it is for me.

We’re taking the long route to Naples, driving along the coastal road, when I spot a sign that says For Sale in Italian. I veer off the road so suddenly that Elena shrieks.

“Sorry! But look!” I park in front of a sprawling mansion set right into the hillside overlooking the sea. “This is gorgeous. Let’s take a look.”

“Um, okay. At a house? Why?” Elena gets out of the car.

“I don’t know yet. Just for fun?” I’m not sure what’s caught my attention about this place, it’s just a whim, an adventure.

After poking around the exterior of the vacant property and taking in the amazing views, I call the number on the for sale sign. The realtor shows up ten minutes later and tours the interior with us. As soon as I step into the stone floored living room with an entire wall of windows overlooking turquoise waters, my heart sings.

For the first time in weeks, I feel light and bubbly–happy. This is a state of being I yearn to capture forever.

“How much is it?” I ask the realtor.

She brings up the specifications on her tablet. “It’s listed at twelve point five. But the sellers are quite motivated as they’ve already moved into their new home.”

“Twelve point five..?” I’m not familiar with housing costs.

“Million.”

Twelve and a half million euros for this place? That’s a lot of money. A huge chunk. Like lightning, an idea sparks to life.

“If the buyers can sign the paperwork today, I’ll take it.”

“That’s…very fast, Mrs. Baron. These things take time, there’s inspections and?—”

“I’ll make it an even thirteen million euros, if they’ll sell today. Waive all of that other stuff, I don’t need it.”

“Oh. Okay.” She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I don’t care. Then she’s on her phone, speaking rapid-fire Italian.

Elena comes up to me. “Are you seriously buying this place?”

“Yep. I love it. It’s gorgeous.” I gesture at the modern, updated kitchen, and all the other amenities. “Besides, we need to move you out of Aunt Antonia’s place. This is perfect. We can live here together.”

Elena side-eyes me. “You’re doing this for us?”

“Yes. And… maybe Blake will finally notice when his account drops by about thirteen and a half million dollars.”

She snorts. “I’m guessing he’ll notice all right. You’re crazy.”

I grin. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… or ignored by her husband.