“Her sister is here,” Silvio murmurs, looking at me. “She’s less docile than Demeter.SenhorAntonio thought she could use your steady hand. Her name is Hera.”
I smile. He named the horses after Greek goddesses, like I named mine after the gods. Hera is the queen of the gods. The goddess of women, marriage, family, and childbirth. A few tears escape while I say hello to Hera. I brush them away before anyone notices.
I know in my heart, maybe I’ve always known, that Antonio has a good soul. It’s hard not to see all of this as a gesture of love from a man who can’t find the words. But I try not to read too much into it. If I get too far ahead of myself, I’ll be hurt. He has the power to break my heart.That’s the honest truth.
Valentina and I are in no hurry to leave, but Cristiano excuses himself almost immediately, although not before I steal a moment with him.
“He’s a difficult man to get on the phone. Will you thank him for me?”
The edge of his mouth twitches. He’s run interference for Antonio more than once when I’ve called. “I’m happy to, but I’ll bet he’d love to hear it from you.”
Cristiano knows his friend better than anyone. If there is a person alive who knows what makes Antonio tick, it’s him. Whether he’ll share it with me is something else entirely.
“Cristiano, who is he? Is he the man who dragged me off the ship without a kind word, or is he the man who bought my mother’s jewelry after I sold it, and filled this barn for me? Who is he, really? Because those two men aren’t reconcilable.”
Cristiano blinks a few times and swallows hard. “He’s complicated, Daniela. Proud. Infuriating. Loyal. A formidable soldier. A courageous leader.”
“But not an easy man to love.”
“I expect that’s true. Although I’m not sure he’s ever been open to the idea of a woman’s love—or to loving a woman.”
This is hardly a secret, but I’m looking for the motive behind it. “Why?”
“I suspect the reasons are as complex as the man. Love leaves powerful men vulnerable to their enemies. And he has plenty. But even someone like Antonio, with great discipline and a willingness to sacrifice, will eventually succumb when faced with the right woman. The heart wants what the heart wants.” He pauses for a few beats. “Before long, everyone will know you’re his Achilles’ heel.”
His Achilles’ heel.Is that what I am?
I don’t want to be his weakness.Maybe I do.But I certainly don’t want his feelings for me to be weaponized and turned against him.That’s what happened to my parents.“I won’t be used by his enemies to destroy him.”
“None of us wants that.” Cristiano is wistful, as though it’s been predetermined and out of our hands.
It’s so unlike him.
I have news for anyone who plans to use me as a pawn to get to Antonio. I’m a fighter, especially when it comes to my family. I’ll fight to the death, if necessary. And I sure as hell am not surrendering Antonio’s destiny, or mine, to fate.
34
DANIELA
My mouth is bone-dry as we wait for Antonio to call.
I texted with him after we returned from the barn, and explained how excited Valentina is about Demeter, and how she wants to thank him for making her dream of riding come true. It took some prodding, but he eventually agreed to video chat with us this evening.
Now I’m so nervous, I can’t sit still. What if instead of the three of us bonding over his gift and our love of horses, it makes things more awkward?
My stomach turns somersaults when Valentina cries, “It’s him,” and engages the chat.
“I love Demeter,” she gushes before we even say hello. “I’ve always wanted to learn to ride. Thank you so much.”
He grins.Grins.First his features softened, and his eyes glittered, and then came the curl of his full lips.
I grin back at him, like a fool.
“She’s a beauty. I’m happy you like her.”
“I love her. It’s the best present I’ve ever gotten. I won’t even miss my friends now. Well, not too much.”
My heart clenches when she mentions missing her friends.