Chapter 28

Mena

The sun had set. I found myself in the bedroom, in the same arrangement as back in the Fanucci mansion.

Alessio lounged on the sofa, while I lay in the bed, and as usual it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"We'll be leaving the day after tomorrow," Alessio broke the silence. His voice was casual, as if he was discussing the weather.

"Okay," I answered.

I wanted to talk more, to somehow end this unspoken thing between us, but the words just wouldn't come out. I even wanted to tell him we could just share the bed, I wouldn't even mind—but the thought of his rejection kept me quiet.

"They are nice people," I tried to keep the conversation going.

Alessio's response caught me off guard. "Are you sure? Because you looked like you needed saving from the daughter."

I thought of Pilar and her endless chatter at dinner. She did talk a lot, but there was something sweet and kind about it. "She talks a lot, but she's nice," I said.

Silence fell over the room again, and I knew I should