Alexandra watched her sister as they entered the room where Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper was displayed in the Santa Maria delle Grazie. She looked around the church and then at Dareios and mouthed, ‘Thank you.’

“I can’t believe you were able to pull this off,” Eva whispered to Dareios. The church had a hushed air, with others here talking in quiet voices. “Look at the layering da Vinci did—all tempera paint,” Eva muttered. “That’s what allowed him to be so creative, but it’s made for such problems in maintaining the fresco. And we’re so lucky this wall survived the war—it was bombed in forty-three, but this wall…this beautiful wall survived. It’s just finished an extensive restoration process and only twenty-five visitors are allowed to view it at any one time.” She grinned and walked ahead of them.

Alexandra smiled. She had watched Dareios use both his charm—and a very generous donation to the church—to secure a special showing for them. Eva was practically vibrating with excitement, Alexandra thought.

They had already visited the Milan Cathedral, also known as the Duomo di Milano. It was the largest cathedral in Italy, and Eva had chattered on about the Gothic architecture and how it was a masterpiece revered the world over.

They had taken a short cruise around the structure in Dareios’ car, and then eaten lunch at a small bistro along the main street, dining on risotto alla Milanese, a tender rice dish, tortelli di zucca or pasta stuffed with pumpkin, and piccata Milanese, a tenderized chicken served with mushrooms and ham. Alexandra had picked at her food, but Eva had demolished everything with the same gusto she applied to most things.

Dareios simply smiled back at Alexandra and stepped closer to her. “She truly loves art.”

“Yes, and she’s a good artist in her own right. She’s going to be so excited when Antonio tells her about the school in Paris.”

“I hope so,” Dareios said. “Although I think Antonio wants to keep her at home.”

“Well, he can’t keep either of us from growing up. What are we doing after this? More tours? Shopping perhaps?”

“I thought I would take you lovely ladies to dinner and then back to the hotel so you could get packed for the morning. I would like to leave for Taranto no later than seven.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Why so early?”

“Because I want to get on the Kairos and out to sea while the water is still calm.”

Alexandra sighed. “Very well. I have to tell you I am not a morning person. At all.”

“As if I don’t know that already. How many times have I come to the Rosso estate for an early morning outing with Antonio only to find you and Eva still asleep?” He winced—and Alexandra wondered if he was picturing her in bed.

She leaned closer. “If I was in your bed all day, I wouldn’t be grumpy.”

He shot her a disapproving sideways look that told her to behave. She almost laughed—he’d never looked so stuffy. Shaking his head, he headed over to Eva. “So? Is it as awesome as you thought it would be?”

Eva’s eyes shone. She nodded. “It’s absolutely fantastic. The restoration work is amazing, and I see now why it took so many years to accomplish it.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed seeing it. I’m going to escort Alexandra out to the front. Join us whenever you’ve finished.” Eva nodded, already engrossed in studying the masterpiece in front of her.

Dareios took Alexandra’s elbow and together they headed toward the front of the church to wait for Eva. Dareios didn’t say anything, but Alexandra was positive he felt the shiver that ran through her body when he took her arm.

The butterflies were swarming in her stomach again, and her heart skipped to an unsteady race. Looking around, she realized there was nothing she could do about any of that right now. Not only were they in a church, but other tourists and priests roamed the hallways.

She swallowed, and breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the entrance and he let go of her arm. She took a few steps away from him and then turned to look at the skyline of the city. She needed some space to get her emotions and libido back under control—at least in public.

But once she got Dareios alone, then she would see if she could convince him that a fling between them wasn’t just smart—it was inevitable.