Chapter 29
GAbrIELA
I spend the first part of my day playing around with some of the new tools in my workspace and working on my muslin.
It’s a huge relief to know I don’t have to worry about anyone messing with my materials or projects anymore. Having my own space where I can work without the sensory overload of the studio will make a huge difference in my focus and productivity.
This really is a dream come true, and after I graduate, these tools will give me a solid starting point as I develop and launch my collections.
For the first time in years, I’m confident about my future.
I have a clear trajectory, and once I’ve officially called off the engagement to Riccardo, I’ll be able to breathe again.
I know it won’t be easy, particularly when Michael finds out, but I can’t allow that fear to control me anymore.
He’ll be angry, but I’ll have the protection of the Vitale family, so as much as he may want to, he can’t punish me.
By the time I pack my bags and all of Beppe’s things to set off for the island, I’m feeling lighter than I have in months. I’m looking forward to a weekend with the girls, despite the changes Sunday will bring.
When I arrive at the Vitale estate, Julian informs me he’ll spend the weekend in the guards’ quarters, in case I need anything. He tells me he’ll deliver my bags to my room, and I thank him before we part ways.
I find Nonna in the kitchen as usual, baking to her heart’s content.
“Gabriela,” she calls out when she sees me, gesturing me over. “I made your favorite. Try one.”
I can’t resist her Amarena cherry thumbprint cookies. They really are my favorite. I take one from the tray before Nonna thinks better of it and grabs a plate, loading it up.
“You can share with the girls.”
“Thank you, Nonna.”
“I’m making you a special birthday dinner tonight. All of your favorites.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.” I smile at her. “Do you need any help?”
“Nonsense.” She waves it off. “This is what I like.”
Beppe pokes his head out of his tote to say hello, and Nonna gives him a pat on the head.
“The girls are in the theater room,” she tells me. “Go and enjoy.”
I thank her again and make my way to the marble staircase that leads to the second floor.
While the lower level of the home has the primary shared living spaces like the lounge, the dining room, the ballroom, and the gentleman’s den, the upper level of the central gathering space is taken up by the spa, a library, and a theater room.
The Vitale home is massive, with room for each sibling to grow their own families in their respective wings. And if that weren’t enough, there are also cottages and additional living spaces on the property for guests.
Tonight, I’ll be staying in Mariella’s wing. Now that Abella and Valentina’s father is gone, Val has taken up residence there, too.
When I reach the theater room, I can hear laughter inside, and I open the door to find the girls sprawled out on various theater seats.
“Hey.” Abella waves me in. “Come get cozy. We’re watching cheesy Christmas movies.”
“Already?” I raise my brows.
“Well, it’s November,” Val points out. “Speaking of, we need to start planning some shopping dates.”
“True,” Abella says, tapping Antonella on the nose. “My list of people to shop for gets longer every year.”
“Anyone want cookies?” I ask, holding out the plate before I sit down.
“Ooh, Nonna made your favorite.” Mariella reaches out, grabs the plate, and takes a cookie before passing it down to the others.
I settle into the empty theater seat next to her and remove Beppe from his tote. Abella tosses me an extra throw blanket, and I get comfy, making sure Beppe is nice and toasty.
“The guys are still busy,” Abella tells me. “So they probably won’t be back for dinner. But I was thinking maybe we could do a spa night.”
“That sounds fun.”
She nods, and we all focus on the movie for a few minutes before Mariella groans.
“I can’t believe you’re making me watch this. It’s so unrealistic.”
“Are you telling me you don’t believe a big city executive could get stranded in a small town and discover the joy of Christmas?” Val teases.
“I prefer to remain a cynic.” Mariella smirks.
We spend the next hour adding our commentary about the movie, until Abella leaves to change Antonella and Val ventures off for snacks.
After they’re gone, Mariella glances over and laughs when she sees Beppe sprawled across my chest, snoring without a care in the world.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dog more devoted to a human.”
“He really is the sweetest boy.” I stroke his fur. “I’m so glad you found him for me.”
A flicker of guilt shadows her face as I praise her.
“I can’t take credit for that,” she confesses. “The only thing I did was set up your referral to the psychologist.”
“What do you mean?” I frown. “You got Beppe for me.”
She worries her lip between her teeth for a second before she sighs. “Can you keep a secret if I tell you?”
“Of course.”
“It was Romeo’s idea.”
My heart feels like it drops out of my chest as I try to make sense of that, but I can’t.
“I don’t understand.”
“He thought an ESA would be good for you,” Mariella explains. “He was the one who found Beppe. He even kept him in his wing for three months so he could train him before I gave him to you.”
“But why would he do that?” I choke out. “He barely even talked to me back then.”
“Just because he wasn’t talking to you doesn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention.” Mariella offers me a gentle smile. “Romeo observes everything and misses nothing.”
I blink rapidly, trying to dispel the surge of emotion behind my eyes.
“Shit, Gabi.” Mariella winces. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’ve just been really emotional lately. Can you give me a few minutes? I just need to go to the bathroom.”
She nods in understanding, not pushing me to explain further.
“I’ll be here when you get back.”
I scoop Beppe up and carry him down the hall to the library. I don’t really need to use the bathroom, but I do need to cry in peace.
As soon as I close the door behind me, I sink into one of the reading chairs and let it all out as Beppe does his best to comfort me.
I don’t know why the thought of Romeo doing something nice for me feels like pure agony, but it does. Maybe because it challenges everything I thought I knew. Or maybe beneath the broody, sarcastic exterior, he’s still the same person he’s always been.
When I think of the way Eros set up my workspace, I can’t help but compare the two. And the longer I sit with it, the more that question lingers.
Realistically, I could just go ask Abella right now and find out the truth. But I don’t want her to witness the emotions on my face when she confirms or denies it.
A different idea takes shape as I study the spiral staircase that leads to the lower level. This one exits near the central courtyard, and it would give me a straight shot to Romeo’s wing.
Abella said they were gone, and now that the thought has entered my mind, I can’t seem to talk myself out of it.
I descend the stairs and move through the house quietly. I haven’t been to Romeo’s wing in years, and I’m not even sure it will be unlocked. But when I reach the door, it opens without resistance.
The space is dark, and my heart races as I slip inside. The motion-activated lights startle me, but when I glance down, I realize they line the base of the walls. As I continue down the hallway, passing the kitchen and living area, they light my path all the way to the primary suite.
I open his door, bracing for him to jump out and scare me, but he doesn’t. The room is quiet and dark, and when I step inside, I have no choice but to turn on the light. I don’t know how much time I have to look around, or what I’m even looking for exactly, but I feel like I have to do this.
I set Beppe down and let him explore the space on his own while I glance around.
The first thing I notice is a black hoodie draped across the end of the bed, so I grab it and bring it to my nose to inhale, feeling slightly unhinged.
It smells clean, with no discernible notes, so I think it’s just been washed.
I return the hoodie to the bed and wander over to his desk. The computer isn’t currently turned on, and I don’t bother since I know I wouldn’t have a chance of getting into it. But I try to open each of the desk drawers, only to find they’re all locked.
Annoying.
With nothing else to check, I venture into his walk-in closet and start rifling through his drawers and cupboards. When I see his black briefs, and I pause to stare at them, I question my sanity.
His clothes are all more of the same—black jeans, pants, T-shirts, dress shirts, trousers, and a few suits. There are also a few pairs of boots, and I lean down to inspect them, comparing them to the ones Eros wears. I can’t say for certain, but I don’t think these are a match.
As I walk back into the bedroom, I glance at the bed, briefly wondering if he’s ever brought a woman in here. The thought makes me nauseous, and I try to delete it from my brain, because this is absolutely neurotic.
“Looking for anything in particular?”
The low, lazy drawl startles me, and I yelp as I turn around to find Romeo watching me.
He leans against the doorframe, all ink and muscle in a plain black T-shirt that should be illegal. My eyes burn a path over his body, staring at him for far too long before I snap myself out of it.
I have no idea how long he’s been there, but knowing he caught me staring at his bed makes my face burn with embarrassment.
“Beppe ran off,” I say, my voice pitching higher. “I had to come find him.”
I’m a terrible liar, and it’s obvious when Romeo scrapes a hand over his jaw, hiding his amusement. “Mmm hmm. I’m sure you did.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t mention that the door to his wing was closed. That argument would fire a shotgun-sized hole through my defense.
When Beppe casually strolls out of the bathroom, I scoop him up as if that will prove my point.
“Found him.”
Romeo smirks as I walk toward him, but he doesn’t move. I stop a foot away, eyeing the gap between him and the doorframe. It’s not big enough to squeeze through, but I’m still tempted to try.
“You know there’s a fine for trespassing,” he says.
“I’m not kissing you again,” I blurt. “You have a girlfriend, so you never should have kissed me to begin with.”
“First of all, you kissed me—”
“No, I didn’t,” I protest.
He ignores that and continues. “And second of all, my girlfriend doesn’t care that you kissed me.”
I don’t know why, but hearing the words my girlfriend come out of his mouth grates at me. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, whoever she is, but it just feels…wrong. So I choose to focus on the more annoying thing he said, knowing full well he’s trying to provoke a reaction from me.
“I didn’t kiss you.”
“You definitely did. In fact, you were pretty into it, if I remember correctly.”
The blush on my face deepens. “If that’s what you have to tell yourself, sure.”
His gaze drops to my lips, and warmth blooms in my belly. I try to ignore it.
“Can you let me pass?”
“Sure. Once you pay the fine.”
“What is the fine?”
“Tell me what you were really doing in here.”
“I told you, I was looking for Beppe,” I huff.
“You’re a terrible liar, Gabriela. It’s not in your nature.”
We stare at each other for an uncomfortably long period of time. If it were anyone else, I would have looked away by now. But the weird truth is…I don’t want to look away. I’m not about to admit that, though.
“I just wanted to see what it looked like.” Another fib. “Abella said you guys were gone, and I was bored, so I decided to explore. I haven’t been to this part of the house in years.”
He doesn’t look like he believes that for a second, but he plays along.
“Find anything interesting?”
“No.” I frown. “There’s barely anything in here.”
“I have everything I need.”
“Well, that’s nice. Can I go now?”
A hint of a smile teases his lips. “I’m not stopping you.”
“Are you really going to make me go through that?” I gesture at the narrow gap.
He glances at the space and shrugs. “I don’t see a problem.”
“Of course you don’t.”
I let out an annoyed sigh as I set Beppe down. He’ll have no problem fitting through.
I approach Romeo and wedge myself between him and the doorframe. He doesn’t budge an inch, so the entirety of my body smashes up against his as I try to squeeze through. To my utter humiliation, I get stuck, and the warm, solid press of his frame disorients me.
He turns to face me, offering me a temporary opening to leave. But before I can scurry off, he cages me in with his arms, and my heart picks up speed.
“Hey, Gabi?” His gaze rakes over me, something dark and hungry lurking behind those amber eyes.
“Yes?” I swallow.
“If I catch you in here again—” His voice dips. “I’ll incarcerate you.”