“I was hoping you could stay home today, Stefano. I feel like we haven’t been able to talk or spend time together, and this wedding . . .” She trailed off, and his heart jumped.

“I want to stay home with you, bambina,” Stefano said, “more than anything. I’d like a day for us as well. Just the two of us.” He stood up and pulled her to her feet, leaving the dishes for the maids. She would have to get used to that; if he wasn’t mistaken, she’d probably gather them up the moment he was gone.

She smiled at him, that smile that always took his breath. The one he’d always wait for. “Me, too. But I can tell from your tone it isn’t going to be today.”

He shook his head, walking them into the great room. “No. Unfortunately. Lucia called and needs me to get over there. Nicoletta is having a difficult time believing we aren’t some human trafficking ring, or worse, that Lucia and Amo are the real thing, wonderful good people, and she’s going to get them killed by staying with them.”

“Oh no. I know what that feels like. It’s the worst feeling ever. Of course you have to go.” She licked at her lower lip for a moment and then lifted her chin. “I could go with you. I want to meet her. Don’t you think feeling as if she had a friend would help settle her?”

He detested disappointing her. And was she getting cold feet? Was that what this was about? He sank into the wide armchair and beckoned her with his finger. “Come here, dolce cuore.”

She hesitated, just for a second, but it was there. He was very good at seeing every detail. He’d been trained from the time he was two. All those years of having to describe everything he saw in rooms or outside. All those years of looking at people and having to describe them and every emotion that crossed their face. There was no way he would ever miss hesitation on his woman’s part.

He pulled her onto his lap and locked his arms around her. “Relax, Francesca. You’re upset about something and you need to tell me.”

“I’m not upset. I’m really not.”

It was a denial, but her eyes didn’t meet his. She did settle into him, relaxing enough that he slid one hand up her back to the nape of her neck. He loved holding her like this. Close. Feeling her body melting into his as if they shared one skin.

“Tell me, Francesca.” That was a command, and if she didn’t comply, he wasn’t going to be responsible for any words slipping out of his mouth she didn’t like. He’d been making an effort for her, although, he had to admit, he didn’t always succeed.

“I’m just nervous, that’s all. We haven’t known each other for very long, and this life you lead is very overwhelming.”

He sighed. He knew once she thought about it, the idea of living outside the law was going to get to her. “Being a shadow rider is a responsibility I can’t . . .” He broke off when she shook her head.

“It’s not that, Stefano. It’s the money.” She made the confession in a little rush. “All that money. Living in a hotel. Having bodyguards. The clothes. I don’t know how to act the way you and Emme act. I’m not sophisticated and I can’t handle the paparazzi on every street corner waiting to snap pictures of me. It makes me sick to my stomach to think I’m going to embarrass you or your family.”

“Fucking Eloisa.” He burst out with it, fury moving through him. “You overheard the shit she was throwing at me and it got to you.” So much for his resolve to not use foul language, but really, what the fuck? Why the hell would his own mother undermine his woman’s confidence? He wanted to strangle Eloisa.

“Stefano. Really.”

That was her little prim-and-proper-schoolmarm voice and he fucking loved it. He thought it best to keep that knowledge to himself.

“Not really, bella. You know damn well she put that shit in your head. You could never embarrass my family or me. I’m marrying you because for me you’re as perfect as a woman could possibly get. I don’t give a flying fuck if the rest of the world doesn’t see you the way I do. And neither does my family. You don’t seem to get this, Francesca, but you’re nearly as important to my siblings as you are to me.”

She raised her face and pressed it into his throat. “See? Right there is why it’s important to spend time with you. You have a way of making me feel beautiful and confident.”

“Let me take care of this thing with Nicoletta. I want you to become her friend. Hell, amore mio, you’re more her age than mine, but not right now. She’s overwhelmed and needs to settle with just Lucia and Amo for now. I’ve called Taviano—he stayed with her on the jet. I think she’s feeling shame for all that happened to her. Apparently Benito Valdez actually raped her on more than one occasion. He was very brutal and he made certain she knew he would have her permanently. His obsession with her was worse than we first thought. She’s terrified he’ll find her and that Lucia and Amo will be hurt or killed. I’ve got a counselor and a doctor who will be looking in on her daily.”