Grinded (The Invincibles 3)

The man grinned, but not at all in a friendly way. “Not anymore.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m her fiancé, and I make the decisions as to whom she sees and doesn’t see.”

I wondered if that was truly the case. If so, Pia was a very different person than the one I’d met two years ago.

I got in the car and pounded my fist on the steering wheel as I drove out the gates of the estate, wondering how I could’ve been so bloody stupid. Pia hadn’t answered me. Shouldn’t that have been enough for me to realize she didn’t want to see me?

Instead of driving back to Florence, I went in the opposite direction. I had no idea where I was headed, but I hoped it was somewhere I could forget all about Pia Deltetto.

4

Pia

I bit my bottom lip and took another step toward the front door. I’d been standing in front of the address on the letters I received from Mylos for twenty minutes, trying to talk myself into knocking on the door.

This truly had to be the craziest thing I ever did. A week ago, when I decided to travel to London on my own, not knowing if Mylos would be home, and if he was, whether he’d want to see me, it’d seemed romantic and adventurous. Now it seemed stupid and expensive, given I’d soon be taking a taxi back to the airport to exchange my ticket and return to Italy if I couldn’

t muster the courage to just knock on the damn door.

I hadn’t made a move in either direction when the front door opened and a woman walked toward me.

“May I help you?” she asked, eyeing the envelope in my hand. Before I could answer, she gasped. “Are you Pia?”

I bit my bottom lip again. “Sì.”

“Come in, for goodness’ sake,” she said, pulling me with her. “I’m Lily, by the way, Miles’ sister.”

I stopped when we got to the door. “I don’t want to intrude.”

She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. “God, you sound just like him.”

She led me inside, took my bag from my hand, and set it on the floor. “Can I get you a cup of tea?”

“Um, sure. Thank you.” I looked around the small kitchen that reminded me of Mylos’ mother. There were teapots and cups, plates, and towels, all with different floral patterns. If I closed my eyes, I could see her in this space, puttering around, talking to herself all the while. I loved my mamma, but Mylos’ mother made my heart happy.

I looked up at Lily, who was studying me. “I know why Miles likes you so much.”

“You do?” I didn’t.

“Everything you’re thinking is written on your face.”

“Oh, yeah?” I put one hand on my hip. “What was I thinking just now?”

“What a quaint kitchen this is, and how fascinating you find it to be.”

I had to give it to her. “Close.”

“What did I miss?”

“I can see your mother in this kitchen. It looks like her.”

“See? And while another person might think that would be insulting, because of the look on your face, it’s endearing.”

It seemed like a stupid question, but I asked anyway. “Is Mylos home?”

She shook her head. “He isn’t, and you won’t believe it when I tell you where he is.” She set a plate of cookies in front of me and then poured the tea. “Cream or sugar?”