Page 18

“Leave me alone!” shrieks a female voice from inside the villa.

Our heads snap toward the archway leading back into the house. Rafael seems to recognize the voice, because he rushes inside to follow the sound. My curiosity’s too deep not to go with him. I’m half a pace behind as we explore the huge space and come up on the woman who was screaming.

It’s Sofia, tear-streaked and disheveled in the kitchen.

She’s yelling at one of Rafael’s security members who seems to be checking on her.

“I said leave me!” she snaps, sniveling. “It’s none of your business!”

My investigative instinct takes the lead. The girl’s torn dress and tears shining on her cheeks are troubling. I shoot toward her.

“Are you okay? What happened?”

She blinks at me as if I’m speaking a foreign language she’s never heard, then notices Rafael and bursts into another sob.

“Rafael,l’ha fatto di nuovo. Mi ha spezzato il cuore e mi ha lasciato così.”

“Sofia,” he sighs, sticking his hands in his pants pockets. “Quante volte te l’ho detto? Non ti merita.”

I stand back awkwardly as Rafael steps toward her and runs his hand over her untamed dark tresses. She sniffles and hangs her head, more tears leaking down her cheeks.

Unsure what else to do or say, but aware how the young woman is uninterested in any comfort I can offer, I decide to see myself out. I turn to go and walk out of the kitchen, draining the last of my wine glass.

Whoever this Sofia is, she clearly demands a lot of Rafael’s attention.

Attention he’s immediately willing to give her.

I should’ve known there were other women…

“Portia! Portia, where are you going?”

It’s Rafael calling after me.

I stop halfway down the hall, debating if I should bother turning around. He’ll probably offer some half-assed excuse about how he has no interest in Sofia or she’s someone from his past. Whatever he can say to remain in my good graces.

Typical for men.

“What is it, Rafael?” I ask.

He doesn’t wait for me to turn around—he simply strides over and steps in front of me to force my gaze.

“Why did you walk away?”

“She clearly needs you. I understand. Go be with her.”

“Sofia?” He raises a brow.

I chuckle. “Rafael, it’s okay. You’re a man. A rich, successful one at that. I know your type. No hard feelings.”

“You think Sofia and I…?” he trails off and then releases his loudest laugh yet. It’s almost insulting how he laughs in front of me, like I’m so delusional that he can’t take the accusation seriously.

I roll my eyes and then turn to leave. “Good night.”

He seizes hold of my arm and stops me. “Dolcezza, you misunderstand. I laugh not because it’s true. I laugh because of how untrue it is. Sofia is my baby sister.”

“She’s your…oh. Oh!” I cover my face with one of my hands, feeling ridiculous. “I’m so sorry. I had no clue.”

“How would you? I didn’t tell you. But she’s very important to me. You understand, don’t you?”