Italian Prince, Wedlocked Wife

HALFWAY on the drive to Milan, Chloe woke up crying for her purple hippo, and Lucy realized to her horror that she’d left it behind.

She’d been so rushed when she left the villa, so desperate to get out before Maximo could follow her and convince her to stay, before he could repeat the lie that he loved her. Love her? He would never love her. It had just been his last, heartless attempt to beat her grandfather.

Leaving her wedding dress and the priceless diamonds on their bed—the bed where they’d been so happy together—she’d packed a few items of clothing for herself and Chloe. And her three Ferrazzi handbags. She no longer wanted the thirty million her husband promised her. Let Maximo and Giuseppe fight over her family company till doomsday; she didn’t want it. She was going back to Chicago where things made sense.

But things were going to be different this time.

Her alligator satchel would be worth thousands of dollars even on the secondhand market. That would be enough to pay her back rent and set up a small nest egg for emergencies.

And she wouldn’t get her job back at the gas station. She would fight for the promotion she’d earned. Once she went to the H.R. department of the gas station chain and explained what had happened with Darryl, she knew she could convince them to still make her the assistant manager of a different store. Then she would start taking night classes. It might take a few years, studying at night while Chloe slept, but she would get her college degree. She’d be a school librarian and teach kids to love books as she’d dreamed.

Lucy had once thought that being a mother meant she had to give up her own dreams. But in the last few weeks, she’d learned that wasn’t true. Fairy tales could happen at any age. It was never too late to dream—never too late to achieve anything she was willing to work for.

Except for one dream. That was lost forever.

The dream of loving Maximo.

Even after she’d realized she’d left the purple hippo behind, she hadn’t been able to go back and face the man who’d lied to her and broken her heart. Pressing on the gas, she’d cried with her baby all the way to the airport in Milan. Then using five different credit cards, she bought a plane ticket to Chicago.

She’d checked their suitcase, passed security and found a dark, deserted waiting area. It was the middle of the night when she tried to settle Chloe down to sleep on a reclining chair. As they waited for their early morning flight, the airport’s hallways became deserted and most of the shops closed. Other than an occasional announcement over the loudspeaker, it was soon quiet.

Except for the crying baby.

Chloe wouldn’t sleep. And she wouldn’t stop crying. Tears shone on her plump cheeks, and her little body was racked with sobs.

“Shh, Chloe, shh.” Lucy snuggled her close, trying to comfort her. But it was all she could do not to wail along with her baby.

She’d tried so hard not to love Maximo. So hard. But he’d made it impossible. She’d thought him so strong, so tender, so powerful. So wonderful. But he’d ruined Lucy’s whole life by taking her from her family as a baby.

Did that really ruin your life? the thought whispered in her mind.

Of course it did! she replied furiously, then stopped.

As a heartbroken, angry boy of twelve, Maximo had saved her from a fire. He’d taken her to be raised by Connie Abbott, a warm, wonderful woman who’d loved her. Read her stories. Baked her cookies. Kissed away her fears. Taught her about integrity and hard work and love.

How different would her life have been if she’d been raised by a cold, vengeful man like Giuseppe Ferrazzi?

It doesn’t matter, she told herself angrily. Maximo had lied to her. He’d lured her into his bed by playing recklessly with her heart. And worst of all: he’d even tried to claim he loved her!

The playboy prince would never love anyone. He’d only said that to try to hold on to his victory against Giuseppe, to beat the old man he hated.

“Monsters,” she whispered aloud. Thank God she’d gotten them away from Maximo before Chloe was too attached. Before they were both too happy. Before…

She burst into tears.

“Principessa.”

Surprised, Chloe abruptly stopped wailing. Lucy looked up and saw Ermanno, her ex-bodyguard, standing next to Maximo’s pilot. Wiping her eyes, she glanced around in fear that their boss might be nearby. “What do you want? How did you find me?”

“A paparazzo followed you to the airport. The prince asked me to offer my assistance.” The Australian pilot bowed his head respectfully. “I am to give you a ride to anywhere you wish to go.”

“And this is for you.” Ermanno held out a manila envelope.

“What is it?”

He gave an expressive Italian shrug.

She opened the envelope. It contained the information for a numbered Swiss bank account.