TWENTY-ONE.

When the SUV comes to a standstill outside the large iron gates, I don't wait for Riccardo to open my door, and I rush straight towards the Villa.

My body tingles with annoyance as I sense Don Valentino watching me from behind.

As I draw closer to the front entrance, it swings wide open and Savannah comes rushing out the door. She wraps her small arms around my waist, clinging to me and naturally, I tenderly run my fingers through her hair.

“You're back,” she smiles as she pulls away from me, and looks up.

“Of course, I am. Where else would I go?” I smile, pinching her cheek as her uncle walks up the stairs behind me, staring at us intently as Savannah and I talk.

“The room,” she replies as she takes a step back and looks up with sad puppy eyes. “I watched Uncle carry you from the small guest room into his big one when you were sleeping during the storm. He had no shoes or shirt on. Just his pants. He was shouting, really, really loudly, and he sounded really, really mad while he wa