I have made myself try to appear normal since I last saw him. Thankfully, it’s been incredibly busy with end of school activities. I am a mom, of course; that’s what we do. I also have my family and friends watching over me.

Mel assures me there are eyes on him, and that he is safe. When I ask questions, she tells me that she doesn’t get the details. I don’t ask her husband.

My girls—mine—are being sweeter than usual, which is appreciated but unnecessary. It saddens me that they are carrying an unnecessary burden. However, we are all born of pasts, of choices, mistakes, and yes, triumphs and blessings.

Tomorrow morning, we will wake early and board a plane to visit Dominic, Laney, and my niece and nephew. After we spend a month with them there, they will come here to spend a month with us. All of us.

I stand in the middle of my office amidst my boxes when Vincent taps on the door.

I turn and look at him.

“The bags are in the SUV. Are there anymore?”

I shake my head. “I plan to do some shopping.”

He nods, and then I see a slight eye roll, which has lessened over the years.

“I realize you think my shopping is overly indulgent.”

“I’m not here to judge,” he comments, leaning against the doorjamb.

“We all judge,” I whisper, looking down at the pile.

“Have you changed your mind about bring your”—he pauses, and I look back at him—“work?”

I can’t help laughing.

“It’s good to hear that again.”

“Well, I think this may be the first time I’ve ever seen a sliver of a smile on your face, Vincent.”

“I think that’s untrue.” He now rolls his eyes openly.

“I’ve seen that look; usually masked.”

“What look?” he asks, revealing another smile.

“The eye roll.” I exaggerate my own.

“I’m sure I learned that from our little signorinas.”

Ours. How is it he considers them ours, yet Franco …? I stop myself from letting my mind go there and nod. “I bet you did.”

When the gate buzzer chimes, he looks at me. “Are you expecting anyone?” He looks at his phone. “Your friend Paige is here.”

“Paige?” I ask, walking toward the front door. When I get there, I find her pulling a suitcase out of her trunk.

“Hey,” I say as Vincent walks past me and toward her.

He reaches to take her bag. “I can get—”

“What do I look like? A fucking project? Do you think I can’t carry my own bag?” She turns her back to him and begins storming toward me, dragging along a suitcase as big as her.

“Paige, is everything okay?” I ask as her bag flips, jerking her back.

“I quit!” she says, trying to right her bag.

When Vincent attempts to fix it, she literally growls at him, clear amusement dancing in her eyes.

“Assholes! All of you, penis toting morons!” she yells at him.

I walk to meet her and take her hands. “Vincent, get her bag please.”

“Me, or my penis?” he mutters, shocking me.

“You don’t want to push me,” Paige again growls at him.

“Okay, come with me.” I quickly usher her into the house. “Tell me what the problem is.”

“Douche is the problem. DOUCHE!”

“Okay, well, I don’t understand what—”

She walks to the sofa and drops onto it. “My first solo campaign, and they give me a douche, so I quit. I quit, and I’m going to Italy. I quit my job, I quit life, and I quit America!”

“I see,” I say as I sit next to her.

“Melyssa and Sabato are in Italy, Laney is in Italy, you’re going to Italy, and I’m going to rot here alone.”

“Nikki is here,” I remind her.

“Tied to a damn bed, I bet,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest as she looks at me. “I’m going for real this time. No men will stop me, and no damn douche campaign will either.” She sighs. “I’m going to support you, of course.”

I smile. “Of course.”

After a few glasses of wine, Paige retires to the guest room, and I retire to mine.

* * *

We have been in Livorno for three days. Three days of eating, drinking, catching up, and relaxing. We have also watched the kids play. Alessia and Gabriel are amazing, simply amazing. Today, Laney and Sabato are coming with Torrance and Marcelo to spend a few days.

I have been okay, even Dominic told me he was proud of who I have become. He didn’t mention Franco, not once. I only cried … a little.

Paige has been pretty drunk most evenings. Tonight, she’s even more so. When Dominic and Laney suggest we all go out and leave the kids with the nannies and their security team, she’s the first to agree.

I look to Vincent for approval. I trust him. And more and more each day, I feel that I trust him as much, if not more, than I once did Franco.

When Dominic suggests coming with us, I feel a little unease. However, Dominic would never put any of us in danger, and Vincent deserves a night out, as well.

When we pull up in front of what looks like an old castle, I see no sign but several luxury cars.

“What is this place?” Paige asks, opening the door and nearly falling out.

Vincent catches her arm. “My guess is a restaurant, since we’re here for dinner.”

I comment that I have never been here.

“Of course you haven’t.” Sabato chuckles. “It’s new and private. Welcome to Queens House.”

Inside, it looks like a medieval castle. It’s stunning. We are seated in a private room on the upper level looking down over the main dining area. The wait staff are all men, dressed in black. In the back of the room are three empty thrones.

“Is that where the queens sit?” Paige points down. “If so, I’m in the wrong section.”

We all chuckle as we have for days now while she has been on her anti-male campaign.

Mel stands up and asks me to join her in the bathroom. I stand and look around, realizing Sabato hasn’t been back since we were seated.

“I need the ladies, as well,” Paige announces as she follows us.

Mel acts odd as we wait on Paige to finish. She even chews on her fingernails, which isn’t like her at all.

I gently grab her hand and pull it away from her mouth. “Are you okay?”

“Um, not exactly,” she whispers.

My immediate thought goes to Franco.

“Is he …? Is he …?” I stop and grab my stomach, fearing I will get sick.

“He’s here,” she whispers.

My heart feels like it soars from my chest.

“He’s not happy.” She giggles nervously. “Not happy at all.”

“Melyssa, take me to him.”

“I don’t think I can.”

“I think you better,” I say in quiet demand.

She sighs. “All right then.”