The Playboy of Rome

But how did she explain any of that to him? How would he ever understand when he couldn’t even appreciate what he had? She’d met people like him before—specifically a guy in college. He was an only child—and spoiled. He thought he understood what hardship was when he had to buy a used car to replace the brand-new one his parents had bought him—a car he’d wrecked while out partying with the guys. She stifled the groan of frustration that rose in her throat. Hardship was choosing between paying the rent or buying groceries.

A gentle breeze brushed over her cheeks and whipped her hair into her face. She tucked the loose strands behind her ear. The air felt good. It eased her tense muscles, sweeping up her frustration and carrying it away.

In this particular case, she’d overreacted. Big-time. She had better keep a firmer grip on her emotions or soon Dante would learn about her past. She didn’t want him to look down on her like she was less than everyone else since her mother hadn’t loved her enough to straighten out her life and her father was someone without a name—a face. The breath caught in her throat.

She hated that being around Dante was bringing all of these old feelings of inadequacy to the surface. She’d buried them long ago. Coming here was a mistake. Nursing her dream of finding out what it would be like to have a grandfather—a family—was opening Pandora’s box and her past was spilling out.

* * *

What had set her off?

Dante darted out of the car, but then froze. Lizzie’s back was to him. Her shoulders were rigid. Her head was held high. He didn’t want to do battle with her. Especially not here, where his family could happen upon them at any moment.

But more than that, he didn’t have a clue what he’d done wrong. Did she have that strong an opinion about families? And if so, why?

His questions about her only multiplied. And as much as he’d set out to learn more about his flatmate on the ride here, he truly believed he had gained more questions than answers. Sure, he’d learned that she appeared to be very close with her sister and that she was about to get evicted. Oh, and she was a stickler for following the rules—especially the rules of the road. But there was so much more she was holding back. Things he wanted to know. But that would have to wait.

He could only hope that he could smooth things over with her before his father descended upon them. He didn’t need her giving his family the impression that he didn’t know how to treat a lady. His father already held enough things against him without adding to the list.

He rounded the car and stopped in front of her. “Hey, I don’t know what I said back there, but I’m sorry. You must miss your family.”

Her head lowered and her shoulders drooped. “It’s me that should apologize. I guess it was just hearing Jules’s voice made me realize it’s going to be a long time before I will see her again. We’ve never been apart for an extended period like this.”

So that was it. She was homesick. That was totally understandable. Maybe his family could help fill that gap. They certainly were a chatty, friendly bunch—even if they could be a bit overbearing at times.

“Why don’t we go inside? I’m sure my father and brother are out in the fields. They keep a close eye on the vines and soil. But my grandfather will be around. Not to mention an aunt or two.”

She smiled. “Thanks for including me. I’m really excited to meet your family.”

“They’re looking forward to meeting you, too.”

“They know I’m coming?” When he nodded, she said, “But you made it sound like you’d planned to come without me.”

“I had, but my grandfather had other ideas. He insisted I bring you to meet him. He told the family while I was on the phone.”

“Would you have really left me behind if I hadn’t promised to keep quiet about the contract?”

Dante shrugged. “I guess we’ll never know. Just remember our agreement. Don’t say or do anything to upset my grandfather.”

Her eyes flared with indignation. But before she could say a word, there were footsteps on the gravel.

“Dante, who’s your guest?”

He didn’t even have to turn around to recognize his older brother’s voice. Stefano was the eldest. The son who did no wrong. He’d stayed on at the villa and helped their father run the vineyard as was expected of the DeFiore men. But what no one took into consideration was that Stefano always got along with their father. He wasn’t the one their father held responsible for their mother’s death.

Dante turned on his heels. “Stefano, this is Lizzie.”

Stefano stepped up, and when she extended her hand, he accepted it and kissed the back of it. Dante’s blood pressure spiked. What was his brother doing? Wasn’t he the forlorn widower?

Not that Dante wished for his brother to be miserable the rest of his life. In fact, he wished that Stefano would be able to move past the nightmare and get on with his life, but Stefano seemed certain that

he would remain a bachelor...which seemed to be the destiny of the DeFiore men.

Dante had learned much from his family, especially to keep his guard up around women. He had zero intention of getting caught up in the tangled web of love. It only led to pain. Something he could live without.

While Stefano made idle chitchat with Lizzie, Dante noticed how her face lit up. He swallowed down his agitation. “Is Nonno in the house?”

Stefano turned to him. His whole demeanor changed into something more stoic—more like the brother he knew. “Of course. Where else would you expect him to be?”