Page 18 of Corrupt Crown

Don Rafael?

“Don…” My voice is scratchy from disuse, so I clear my throat. “You mean…Rafe?”

The woman—Maria—bobs her head with a friendly smile. “Si. Though you must refer to him by his title.”

My response is to stare stupidly as my brain whirs to life, filled with questions I desperately need answers to, but unable to focus on any.

“Are you feeling hungry?”

Maria steps closer into the room, walking straight out onto the terrace on the other side to deposit the tray on the table before she pivots to face me.

“Come. Eat. You’ll feel better.”

Just as my face scrunches up in distrust even, my stomach clenches with hunger pains, and I can’t help but wonder how long I’ve been out of it.

Suddenly, I sit up straight and glance frantically around for my cell. “I need to call my friend. I need to call my?—"

Maria glides over and places her palm on my shoulder to squeeze reassuringly. “It’s all been taken care of, I assure you.” Her smile is genuine and eases some of the trepidation that’s swirling in my stomach. “All will be explained in time.”

Her kind doe eyes are filled with understanding, and I can’t help but feel a sudden kinship with this small Italian woman.

“Now, come.” She pats my shoulder, urging me to rise. “Your breakfast is waiting.”

I amble after her carefully, and my eyebrows practically hit my hairline as I step outside, noting it’s a balcony, not a terrace as I’d initially assumed.

And the view is breathtaking.

Bright Fuschia flowers tumble all around the balcony, flowing down onto the landscaped gardens below. A labyrinth of green leaves and bright red roses sits in the middle of a huge courtyard filled with sprays of white and yellow flowers as several gardeners amble about their business.

But my eyes are drawn to what lies beyond all this, because where the garden ends, the earth drops off into the pristine sea beyond. Several boats bob on the water, and the place is altogether too much like Heaven for me to comprehend.

“Where are we?”

My question releases on a low breath as I gaze out over the beauty before me in awe.

“Sicily.” Maria places her hand on my forearm, and I glance at her as she murmurs, “Somewhere safe.”

Then she gestures back inside, her eyes swirling with quiet reverence.

“This suite belonged to Don Rafael’s mother,possa riposare in pace.”

Maria blesses herself before lifting the cloche from the plate on the waiting tray. “Mangia,SenorinaElodie.”

After sending me a shy smile, Maria departs, leaving me with a bowl of granita and some form of brioche.

I frown as I pick up my spoon and dig in. When my stomach proceeds to complain loudly, I can’t help but mumble around a mouthful of brioche, “Would some good ol’ bacon and eggs be too much to ask for?”

Despite that, I demolish the lot, feeling fuller than I would have anticipated and ready to tackle whatever the day is about to throw at me.

After taking in the view before me for a long beat, I stand and venture back inside the bedroom, finding my bed dressed and fresh clothes laid out for me.

I narrow my eyes, seeing there are several choices, recalling the words Rafe spoke to me in the restaurant, only to break them within the hour.

Your choice is yours alone,Stellina. I would never take that from you.

“Men are such fucking liars.” At the reminder, I’m filled with renewed resolve so I grab the clothes nearest to me and spin toward the adjoined ensuite with a scowl.

“All they do is take, take, take.”