A Dark Sicilian Secret

He smiled again. “Good luck.” And then they were walking once more, closing the distance between them and the waiting cars.

Jillian’s high heels made faint clicking sounds on the tarmac but her gaze was fixed on Vittorio’s mother. She looked youthful, even glamorous in her ice-blue suit trimmed in a blue, aqua and cream braid, and matching high heels the same color. She wore her hair in a loose chignon, a style which highlighted her elegant features.

Jillian stood back as Vitt embraced her warmly and then introduced her to his son. How could this woman be Vitt’s mother?

But Vitt was turning to Jillian now, and extending a hand. “Madre, this is my wife, Jill,” he said, drawing Jillian all the way forward. “Jill, my mother, Theresa d’Severano.”

Up close Jillian could see that Theresa d’Severano wasn’t quite as young as Jillian had first thought, but neither did she look like a woman in her mid-fifties. Jillian didn’t know if it was genetics or technology, but Theresa could have easily passed for Vitt’s sister.

Suddenly Jillian didn’t feel as pulled together as she had just a few minutes ago and wished she’d taken the time to

put on a little makeup before stepping off the plane. But it was too late for lipstick. All she could do was make the best impression possible. Summoning her confidence as well as a warm smile, Jillian extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. d’Severano.”

Theresa gave her a long, level look, the expression in her blue eyes cool. She ignored Jillian’s hand. “You’re the woman that trapped Vittorio.”

So that’s what they think happened. Vittorio, the adored oldest son and the apple of his mother’s eye, had been ensnared by a villainous American gold digger. Jillian only wished she was half as sneaky and manipulative as his family imagined.

She dropped her hand and struggled to keep her smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

His mother’s smile turned positively glacial. “Odd. I never heard a word about you.”

Vittorio gestured toward the car. “Mother, why don’t we continue our conversation on the drive home?” he suggested pleasantly even though his mouth was set hard.

His mother patted his arm. “Why don’t you and the baby take one car, and Jill and I will take another? This way she and I can spend a little bit of time getting to know each other.”

Jillian swallowed, thinking it was one of the worst ideas she’d ever heard but she couldn’t very well say that.

“Jill?” Vitt said, looking at her. “What do you prefer?”

It was good of him to give her a choice. It sounded like the right thing to say, but clearly he didn’t understand that Jillian couldn’t refuse his mother’s suggestion without appearing ungracious. She forced a smile. “I’d love to ride with your mother,” she said. “Sounds like fun.”

“It’s probably a good idea,” he agreed smoothly. “This way you’ll have an ally on your side before you meet the rest of the family.”

Jillian then had no choice but to follow his mother into her black sedan, even as her gaze strayed to her baby in Vitt’s arms. She should be with Vitt and Joe. She should be traveling with them, not Vitt’s mom.

“Have you ever been to Sicily?” Theresa asked as they each took position on opposite ends of the leather seat.

The chauffeur started the car and pulled away from the other sedans. Jillian forced herself to focus on Vitt’s mother. The interior of the car was dark and cool and she needed a moment for her eyes to adjust after the bright morning sunlight. “No. I’m sorry I haven’t.”

Theresa tapped her nails on the door’s metal handle. “Is your family Sicilian?”

“No.”

“Italian?”

Her father was, yes, but she couldn’t tell Theresa that. “German and Scottish, with a dab of Irish and a hint of French.”

His mother regarded her steadily, her focus sharp. “You’ve been to Bellagio.”

“Yes.”

“The villa is beautiful.”

“Extraordinary.”

“Did you drive his Lamborghini?”

“No, the Ferrari.”