Page 39 of Rome for the Holidays
He nodded, “I have never been more certain of anything.”
She leaned in and kissed him again, and a knock sounded on the door.
She pulled back, trying to get out of his lap, but he held her tightly, “Not going anywhere.”
“Come in,” he called out and the door opened, and four people walked in.
His mom, brother, sister, and Giovanni walked in, and Harper swallowed hard.
He could tell she was getting nervous, but he whispered, “Cara mia, they will not harm you. They only wish to meet the woman who has stolen my heart.”
Harper smiled at him, “Ciao. I’m Harper.”
His mom smiled, “CiaoBella. You are a beauty. Vincenzo told me as much.”
Harper blushed, and he could tell she was fighting to not look down at her hands.
“This is Elio, and Elena. Vincenzo’s brother and sister. And this scoundrel is Giovanni. Vincenzo’s best friend.”
Elio stepped forward, healed now from the bullet that almost took his life.
“I’m Elio.”
“You look just like your brother.”
Elio scoffed, “I’m much better looking than him.”
Harper coughed a little and Vincenzo knew she was trying not to laugh.
Gio stepped forward, “Neither of them is as good looking as I am.”
He could tell Harper was fighting not to smile.
Gio smiled, “So good to finally meet you. I helped Vin keep you a secret for so long.”
Harper looked over at him and he shrugged. “It’s true.”
Harper smiled, “Thank you Giovanni.”
He smirked, “Call me Gio. We are practically family now.”
“Gio.”
She looked at Elio, who winked, then Elena stepped forward, “I have known about you for a long time. Vincenzo keeps any information about you pretty close to his chest.”
Harper looked over at him and he shrugged again, “The less they knew I had a weakness, the better.”
Harper smiled, “Well that’s good.”
She looked back at Elena, “I have heard a lot about all of you. I feel as if I know you all. I am sorry for the loss of your husband and father.”
His mother met his eyes and she nodded slightly, and Vincenzo knew she gave her consent.
“Thank you, Bella. That is sweet of you to say.”
Harper nodded, “I mean it. I know what a good man he was.”
His mother clasped her hands in front of her, “He was. I appreciate your words sweetBella. You are one of a kind.”
