CHAPTER TWELVE

Liliana

I nervously paced the kitchen. What took Aria so long? I didn’t even want to know what she was saying to Romero. What if she convinced him to break things off with me? She’d promised not to do something like that but I wasn’t sure. If she thought she had to protect me from harm, she’d play dirty if she had to.

The door opened and Romero stepped in. He looked almost relaxed. I hurried toward him. “What did she say?”

“That we should be careful.”

“That’s all? She’s not going to tell Luca about it?”

“No, not right now.”

“What does that mean?”

A slow smile curled his lips. “There might be a way for us to be together.”

“You mean officially?” I asked excitedly.

“Yes, but first Aria needs to figure out a way to talk to Luca, and then we’ll go from there.”

I tried to hold back my joy, but it was difficult. I wanted nothing more than a real future with Romero.

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, but after only a few seconds Romero pulled back with a pained look. “We need to be more careful. Aria will rip my head off if she catches us kissing out in the open like that again.”

“Probably not only your head,” I said with a wicked grin, cupping him through his pants.

Romero groaned, gripped my wrist and pulled my hand away. “Lily, stop torturing me.”

“I thought you like it when I torture you.”

Romero leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. “I do, when we are alone.”

“Then how about we head to my room?”

“There’s nothing I’d rather do, but we shouldn’t risk it during the day,” Romero said regretfully. “And I really need to call Luca and ask about the problem with the Russian underboss.”

I pouted playfully. “I hate it when you’re being reasonable. Tonight is too far away. I want you now.”

“Fuck,” Romero muttered. Then he gave me a dangerous grin. “Go ahead. I’ll come after you in a few minutes.”

I dashed off toward my room, already feeling my core tighten with anticipation.

***

The next day, Luca returned from New York. He was on edge, so our confession would have to wait. During dinner that evening, Aria, Romero and I acted as if nothing had ever happened. I really hoped Aria would figure out a way to talk to Luca soon so we could all find a way to make a future for Romero and me possible.

Gianna kept chancing look at Aria and me as if she could smell that something was going on. Gianna had always been drawn to trouble so it was really no surprise.

Halfway through the main course, Luca’s phone started buzzing. “What now?” he growled as he dropped his fork. Today definitely wasn’t the day to tell him about Romero and me. I hadn’t seen him in such a bad mood in a while. He got up, pulled the phone out of his pants pocket and answered it.

“Rocco, I didn’t expect your call,” he said.

We all turned toward the conversation.

Luca glanced in my direction. “Liliana is doing well.”

My Father had only called once the entire summer to ask how I was. For some reason I worried about the true reasons for his check-in.

“Tomorrow? That’s short-notice. Has something happened?”

I put my fork down, my stomach tightening with anxiety.

“Of course. She’ll be there,” Luca said with a frown. He hung up and returned to the table, lowering his large frame into the chair.

“What’s going on?” Aria asked before I could even utter a word. She looked as worried as I felt. Did she think Father had found out something about Romero and me? If that were the case, the call wouldn’t have gone over so peacefully, that much was sure. And who should have told them? Nobody in this house would.

“Your father wants Liliana to come home tomorrow,” Luca said thoughtfully.

“What?” I said, shocked. Romero didn’t quite manage to hide his surprise either. I had to force myself to tear my gaze away from him quickly before Luca got suspicious. “That soon?”

Matteo laughed. “You’ve been here for three months.”

Gianna rammed her elbow into his side and he rubbed the spot with a smirk.

“I was joking, damn it. Why do you have to be so violent?” he asked.

I wasn’t in the mood for jokes. I felt like the rug had been pulled out under my feet. I’d always known I’d have to return eventually but now that I was being faced with my Father’s order, I felt heartbroken.

“He wants you on the earliest flight. He booked the ticket already,” Luca continued as if his brother and Gianna weren’t still bickering.

“Did he say why?” I asked.

“He said something about social responsibilities. Apparently there are a few parties he wants you to attend, but he wasn’t very forthcoming with information.”

My eyes darted to Romero again, but then I focused on Luca. “Did he say how long I had to stay in Chicago?”

Luca narrowed his eyes. “No. Chicago is your home, so I had no right to ask.”

“Lily is of age, she could simply refuse to return,” Gianna said matter-of-factly. Matteo had his arm wrapped around her shoulder. As usual their fighting hadn’t lasted very long. They’d probably soon go to their room to make up.

“Then I’d drag her into that plane if necessary. If her father wants her to come home, she’ll go. I won’t risk a conflict over something as ridiculous as this.”

I bit my lip. “It’s okay. I’ll go. I’ll survive a few parties, and I’m excited about seeing Fabi again. I missed him. I’ll plead Father to let me return to New York as soon as possible.”

I didn’t talk for the rest of dinner and was glad when I could finally get up. It was ridiculous of me to be so nervous about going home; because despite everything Chicago was still supposed to be my home. I headed out toward the terrace and wrapped my arms around myself, feeling inexplicably cold even though it was still warm.

The door slid open behind me again and Aria walked up beside me, giving me an understanding smile. “I’ll call Father and ask him to send you back for another visit soon. It’s not like he needs you in Chicago. You’ll be back before you know it.”

“You’re probably glad I’ll be gone because that means I can’t see Romero for a while,” I snapped. I felt instantly bad for lashing out at my sister. Closing my eyes, I said, “Sorry.”

Aria touched my shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry. And I really don’t want you to leave, please believe me.”

I nodded. “I’ve gotten used to life here. I’ve been happy. I don’t even remember the last time I was happy in Chicago.”

“This is only a temporary thing. You’ll be back here in no time, and while you’re in Chicago I’ll talk to Luca about Romero. Maybe when you’re back we’ve made a plan on how to convince Father to accept Romero as your husband.”

Hope flared up in me. I looked at my sister. “You’re right. I should see it as a short vacation. Maybe soon I’ll be able to call New York my home for good.”