Page 211 of Mine Again
Mia is at the table, pushing food around her plate, restlessness radiating from her.
“Wow,” I say before I can stop myself. “You’re all grown up.”
Of course, I’ve seen Isa’s sister on camera footage over the years, but in person she’s sharper. The same bone structure, the same dark eyes, but polished into something more dangerous, more certain of herself. Beautiful, though Isa will always eclipse her in my eyes.
Her fork clatters down onto the plate as she jumps up and rushes over, throwing her arms around me.
“Oh my God, Luca. Mamma told me this morning you were here. I can’t believe it.”
She steps back and gives me a once-over, head to toe. “Look at you. You’re so much older…”
I roll my eyes. Same brat she always was.
“…and even more handsome than before,” she adds quickly, with a grin.
“Nice save.”
The banter lands like a Band-Aid over raw skin. For a second, it lets me forget the fury, guilt, and gnawing worry.
“It’s been so long,” she says, hugging me a second time, tighter.
“Five years.”
“Don’t I know it.” Her smile falters, something more fragile breaking through. “Isa pined for you for most of them.”
Her voice tightens when she adds, “Mamma told me what happened.”
I raise an eyebrow. I expected Caterina to shield her other daughters from more drama. They’ve had their fair share over the past few months.
“She cried,” Mia explains. “I’ve never seen her like that. So she had to tell me.”
She fixes me with a stare that’s pure steel, every bit her father’s daughter, not that I would ever tell her that.
“Get Isa back,” she says. Not a plea. A command.
“I will.” It’s a promise I intend to keep, even if it’s the last thing I do.
Mia studies me, ready to call out a lie if she spots it.
Whatever she sees, it’s enough, and some of her tension drains fromher shoulders.
“Are you and Isa really married?” she asks, incredulous, then leans in to whisper. “What happened to Sebastian?”
So she knew about the bastard. Not surprising. Isa and Mia are close.
My tone ices over. I don’t need reminding she nearly became his.
“He’s no longer in the picture.” Or on this earth.
“What did you do to him?” she presses, curiosity plain.
I’m spared from answering when Caterina arrives for coffee, immaculate as always, though the faint red rims of her eyes betray her. She did cry.
She kisses Mia’s temple, then mine, a touch light as breath. Her smile is brave, but thin.
Aldo appears in the doorway.
“Maximo is here,” he says without greeting. His gaze shifts to Mia. “Go greet Don Marcos and bring him to my office.”
