Dani goes quiet, too quiet.
‘Whatever you’re thinking...’ I flick her look. ‘Just say it.’
‘I’m worried.’ She raises her free hand, palm out. ‘I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, fratellone, but don’t mess her around, okay?’
‘Says the woman who wanted to throw her to the wolves.’
She laughs, her eyes dancing now. ‘I wanted to throw her at Dante.’
‘And you think he’s a better man than me?’
Why am I even encouraging this conversation?
She’s quiet again and her eyes turn sombre. ‘It’s different.’
‘Why? Because he’s not your brother?’
‘No.’ She’s resolute as she pins me with a hard stare. ‘Because he is Dante. He’s young, he’s all about the fun, he can show her a good time.’
‘And I can’t?’
‘You, my dear brother, will chew her up and spit her out.’
‘I’m so glad you have such a high opinion of me,’ I say, not bothering to hide how much it stings.
‘I do have a high opinion of you, and I’m scared. With Dante there can be no confusion, Raf. She knows what she’s getting, there’s no risk...no risk of her falling in love.’
‘In love?’ I shake my head and refuse to accept how her words chime with the warning bells that are ringing ever louder. ‘Sorellina, you are deluded.’
‘Don’t mock me, Raf. I know Faye, and I know you.’
‘Is that right?’
‘I see the way she looks at you, and I know this can only ever be a bit of fun for you. But for her... She wants it all. She’ll fall for you and then what? You’ll pass her up, like you have done every woman before, and I’ll be left with the guilt of her heartbreak and all at the hands of my brother. Don’t shake your head at me.’
I don’t even realise I’m still doing it, but I don’t want to listen to her opinion any more. Or the way it resonates with what Faye has told me. Her dreams of a future, of children and settling down, all things I could never offer her. All things that her ex promised and took away.
But I haven’t promised her more. I haven’t promised her anything.
‘She’s a grown woman, Dani, more than capable of looking out for herself. You don’t need to fight her corner.’
‘I do if it means protecting her from you.’ She places a hand on my arm to soften the blow of her words. ‘Ti voglio bene, fratellone. But Faye...leave her alone. You are the stuff of dreams, the Italian billionaire from the romance novels she adores. Handsome, honourable, lovable, though you try hard not to be...’
I swallow down the wedge forming in my throat. The wedge of guilt, realisation and a need to refute it all.
‘You will break her heart. You won’t mean to, but...’ She wets her lips and attempts a smile. ‘There are just a few more days left. Surely you can resist her for a little longer?’
Resist.
She’s right to ask it of me. Diavolo, I should be telling myself to resist with all that I’ve learned. But to never kiss Faye again, to avoid...
‘Please, fratellone.’
I focus on Dani’s imploring gaze and feel myself nod. ‘You have no need to worry.’
Because ultimately, Faye knows this is temporary. Just a hot fling. That’s been clear between us, hasn’t it?
And though I believe it—I do—it still leaves a bitter taste on my tongue.