The Italian's Unexpected Heir Read online

  She wasn’t sure how Enzo would feel about her interfering, but lately she had the feeling he wasn’t thinking clearly. He was being driven by ghosts of the past. Maybe it was time he was surrounded by the people who loved him here and now—his sisters...and her—even if he didn’t love her in return.

  She pulled her phone from her pocket. She had Bianca’s number but not Gia’s. She was certain once Bianca heard the news that she’d call her sister.

  Sylvie hurriedly pressed Dial before she had a chance to talk herself out of it. The phone rang once, twice, three times. Her heart started to sink. Bianca was very busy these days, between planning her Christmas wedding and assuming her new royal duties.

  But then the call was picked up and Bianca’s voice came on the line. “Sylvie, hi. What’s going on?”

  “Bianca, thank goodness. Have you talked to your brother recently?”

  “No, why?” Concern rang out in Bianca’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s the estate. There’s a wildfire...its headed for the villa.”

  * * *

  Everything had changed.

  And now it was about to change once more.

  The speed at which Enzo’s life was evolving was dizzying. He paused and leaned upon the shovel he’d been using to help widen the cleared property line between his estate and the neighbors’, where the wildfire was wreaking utter devastation. He grabbed a rag from his back pocket to run across his sweaty brow.

  He gazed out over the vineyard as a light layer of smoke mingled with the sun’s rays. The sunlight bounced off the droplets of dew, making them sparkle as though the long lines of grapevines were in fact strung with glittering jewels.

  It wasn’t so long ago that this place had been his dream. He’d gone off to make a name for himself so that when he returned, his father would take him on as a full partner—respecting his input. But that day had never come. It was snatched away from both of them when a delivery truck ran a stop sign.

  In the end Enzo had won the vineyard by default. It certainly didn’t feel like a win. It definitely felt more like a tremendous loss—the loss of his parents, the loss of his idyllic vision of them, the loss of his love for these rolling hills and lush vines where he and his sisters used to go exploring.

  A sound caught his attention. He glanced over his shoulder. Caught up in his memories, for the briefest second he expected to see his sisters, Bianca and Gia, trekking their way toward him, laughing about something. When he’d ask what was so amusing, they’d shake their heads and say he wouldn’t get it. But in reality, there was no one there. It was just a gust of hot, smoky wind rustling the leaves on the nearby vines.

  Bianca had moved on. In just a few short months she would become the Princess of Patazonia. He hadn’t been so sure about this love affair with a prince. In fact, he’d tried to keep them apart after Bianca returned from planning a royal wedding in Patazonia with a broken heart. But in the end, he saw that they truly belonged together.

  And then there was his youngest sister, Gia. Her path to true love was not so simple. Not simple at all. To know that she’d been lied to all of her life by the people she was supposed to trust the most, their parents—it was unimaginable. And yet, through the darkest time in her life, she’d found love. Now both of his sisters were in committed relationships.

  But not him—

  “Enzo?”

  He turned to find Vito standing there. He wasn’t sure what to say to his manager, who was also the closest thing he had to a parent these days. He’d done what Vito had implored him not to do—sold the estate. Well, almost; pen had not been put to paper because of the wildfire.

  Worry showed in Vito’s eyes. “I wanted to let you know that the fire has really kicked up over the next hillside. They’ve thrown everything they’ve got at it. Perhaps it’s time we pulled back.”

  “Did the firefighters tell us to move?” Enzo asked.

  “Not yet. They said to be alert. They’re trying to contain it before it gets this far.”

  “Good. Let’s hope they succeed,” Enzo said. “Tell our men, as always, it’s totally their choice if they stay or go. I will understand if they need to go. But I’m staying until we’re instructed otherwise.” He paused and looked at his friend, dirt and sweat smeared on his aging face. “You should go, too.”

  Vito shook his head. “If you’re staying, I am, too.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He pointed to the dark cloud in the distance. “You can see the fire isn’t far off.”

  “I’m not leaving you out here alone.”

  “Have I told you lately how stubborn you are?” Then Enzo’s gaze met Vito’s. His voice softened. “Thank you for always being there.”

  “I’m not the only one who cares about you. I’ve seen the way Sylvie looks at you. It’s the way my Anna looks at me.”

  He shook his head. “It’s never going to work out.” Not the romantic way. Even if the thought tempted him, he knew he’d ruined his chances with her. “She’s gone.”

  “But it doesn’t mean she can’t come back. If you were to talk to her—tell her how you feel.”

  “Vito, now isn’t the time.”

  His old friend nodded. “Just don’t give up, on the estate or on Sylvie.”

  “I can’t think about any of that now.” Enzo turned back to the nightmare unfolding before him.

  “I hope they’re able to stop the fire before it reaches us.”

  “Me, too.” Enzo didn’t know why it should mean anything to him. After all, he was about to walk away from it. But he couldn’t dismiss all the memories lurking all over the grounds. From birthday dinners that his mother had planned to his father teaching Enzo when he wasn’t much more than a toddler about the soil and grapes.

  For so long he hadn’t wanted to relive those moments—the real moments that weren’t tainted by lies. But Sylvie had slowly pulled back his blinders, seeing what had always been there in front of him. Family, happiness, anger, love and history. Theirs hadn’t been a perfect family like he’d wanted to believe, but through it all, he’d felt loved.

  “You know, for a man who doesn’t care about the vineyard, you are fighting awfully hard to save it.” And with that said, Vito walked off to check on the other men.

  Enzo wanted to dismiss Vito’s words, but as he got back to work, Vito’s words haunted him. Why was he out here giving it his all? Why hadn’t he paused for just two seconds to sign the sales agreement instead of springing out of the chair and rushing out the door as though the flames were licking at his heels?

  How did Vito see through Enzo? It was like the older man was telling him what he was afraid to admit to himself. In that moment Enzo finally acknowledged what his heart had known all along—he loved this estate with all its happy and sad memories because when they came together, it made for a life of loving and caring. And he loved Sylvie—even if he’d fought it for months because he was scared of letting himself become vulnerable once more and being hurt by someone else he cared about. And he loved the baby—even though he knew he was going to make mistakes along the way and not always have the answers.

  Still, he wanted a second chance to make the estate a loving home for their baby—a second chance to show Sylvie just how much she meant to him. But was it too late for all of that?

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  WHERE WAS ENZO?

  Was he safe from the fire?

  Sylvie sent up a prayer for his safety, as well as all the others out on the front lines. She’d just finished cleaning up after the midday food rush. In just a few minutes it’d be time to start preparing dinner.

  She couldn’t help but feel she wasn’t doing enough. Her hand moved to her midsection; she had precious cargo on board that she had to make her priority. No one knew about the baby yet but Enzo. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell people—she
did. She was so excited about the baby, but there was a part of her waiting until she’d worked out things with Enzo before she spread the joyous news.

  As she stood on the veranda, her favorite spot in the villa, she noticed the smoke in the distance was practically gone. She squinted. Was that right? Was the fire diminishing? Hope swelled in her chest. For the past three days that was what she and everyone else at the Bartolini estate had been praying for. Had their prayers finally been answered?

  But they weren’t the only ones praying. Bianca and Gia were, too. Both sisters had dropped everything and flown in immediately following Sylvie’s call. All three of them, along with Vito’s wife, had been working side by side in the kitchen, making sure everyone was fed and as comfortable as was possible under the circumstances.

  “Did you hear the news?” Bianca rushed out onto the veranda, all smiles.

  “News?” Sylvie hadn’t heard anything. As soon as the kitchen was squared away, she’d slipped out here for a little quiet time.

  “The best news.” Gia stepped up beside her sister.

  They may only be half-sisters according to biology, but their facial features were similar, from the set of their eyes to their pert noses and full lips. And their relationship was so close that they could finish each other’s sentences.

  The news of Gia’s conception had undoubtedly been devastating, but it appeared the sisters had recovered and were closer than ever. Now, if only Enzo would come around, maybe he wouldn’t be in such a rush to put all of this behind him.

  Anxious to know the news, Sylvie said, “Well, don’t just smile at me, tell me what’s happening. Is it the fire? Is it out?”

  “Not out,” Bianca said, the smile slipping from her face.

  “But contained,” Gia added.

  “And the vineyard, was it spared?”

  The sisters’ expressions creased with worry lines.

  “We haven’t heard from any of the men,” Bianca said. “But they should be back soon.”

  “And the evacuation order has been lifted so everyone is packing to head back home,” Gia said. “Except for us. We’ve talked it over and we’re sticking around for a while.”

  “I’m sure Enzo will appreciate it.” Sylvie’s thoughts turned to Enzo, wondering if she should leave before he returned. “I know he’s missed both of you.”

  Bianca glanced down at her clasped hands. “Yeah, we really messed up forgetting his birthday.”

  “It won’t happen again,” Gia said emphatically. “We added it to our calendars on our phones.”

  “No matter where we are, we’ll always remember,” Bianca said.

  Sylvie nodded in understanding. “Well, now that everything is under control and you two are sticking around, I should go pack.”

  “You’re leaving?” both sisters asked in unison.

  Sylvie lowered her gaze and nodded. “I need to get back to Florence.”

  “Stay,” the sisters said at once.

  To be a part of this family would be like a dream come true, and it had nothing to do with their vast wealth or Bianca’s becoming a real-life princess or Gia’s living on a romantic island in the Mediterranean or the way Enzo cared for his sisters like some mother hen. No, it had everything to do with the love that abounded among the three siblings, keeping them together through their parents’ deaths, through a strange codicil to their will and through the discovery of an earthshattering secret. To be a part of a love that strong is something most people could only dream of.

  Gia moved to Sylvie’s side and put her arm around her. “What’s wrong?”

  “What?” Sylvie had been so deep in her thoughts that she hadn’t realized her distress had shown on her face.

  “You’re crying.” Bianca’s eyes displayed concern.

  Sylvie pressed her fingertips to her cheeks, feeling the dampness. She swiped away the tears. These pregnancy hormones had her crying at the drop of a hat. “It’s nothing.”

  “Enzo might believe that line, but we don’t.” Bianca crossed her arms as though letting her know she meant business. “Talk to us. Is it our brother? Has he upset you?”

  Maybe she should tell them. After all, they were the baby’s aunts. The urge to confess swelled within her until it was a loud roar in her ears.

  “I’m pregnant with Enzo’s baby.” The words just came tumbling out.

  Both women’s mouths opened and for a moment no words came. They looked at each other. And then their attention returned to Sylvie.

  After a moment Bianca pressed her lips together as though she was gathering her thoughts. “Does Enzo know?”

  Sylvie nodded. “It was a shock for both of us.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “Not a lot at first. Then he said he was calling off the sale of the estate. I told him not to. The baby wasn’t reason enough to change his mind—to remain someplace he doesn’t want to be. I don’t want him blaming me or the baby for his having to stay here.”

  “He wouldn’t do that,” Bianca said.

  “I never believed that he wanted to leave here,” Gia said. “When we were kids all he talked about was one day running the vineyard just like Papá.”

  “Do you love our brother?” Bianca asked.

  Without hesitation, Sylvie said, “Yes.”

  They talked for a little more about the baby and Enzo. Both Bianca and Gia encouraged her to give Enzo some more time. They were certain once he got over the shock that things would look different for both of them.

  “I can’t stay here and hope he’ll fall in love with me.” Sylvie took a step toward the doorway. “I have to go make a life for the baby and myself.”

  Concern filled Bianca’s gaze. “Isn’t there anything we can say to get you to stay? I’m sure Enzo will want to see you and thank you for all you did.”

  Sylvie shook her head. “It’s best I go.”

  And with that, she walked away, feeling as though she were leaving a part of her behind—her heart. But Enzo had made his decision. When Vito had called to let her know the wildfire was threatening the estate, he’d told her that Enzo was meeting with the buyer to sign the sales agreement. Nothing had changed Enzo’s mind about staying here—not her and not the baby.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  LEAVING THIS TIME was harder than the first time.

  Sylvie packed her few things in her bag. She couldn’t help feeling things with Enzo were going to get more complicated before they figured out a way to peacefully co-parent. She didn’t even know what that would be like if he were to move to France, but for their child’s sake, they’d figure it out.

  It was then that she realized she was folding and refolding the same shirt because there was a part of her that was hoping to see Enzo before she left. Though another part insisted it would be easier on everyone if she quietly slipped away. His sisters would be here for him. With that thought in mind, she hurriedly placed the rest of her clothes in the bag and zipped it.

  Knock-knock.

  Sylvie figured it was Bianca or Gia, who were once more going to try and convince her to stay. “Come in.” At that point she realized she’d forgot her sunglasses on top of the chest of drawers. She turned to retrieve them, confident that at last she had gathered all of her things. She turned back around, surprised to find Enzo standing just inside the doorway. “Enzo, you’re back.”

  He nodded. It was then she noticed the dark streaks of soot on his face, his scattered hair and his disheveled clothes. “My sisters told me you were getting ready to leave. Weren’t you even going to stick around and say hello before you left?”

  Her gaze searched his. What was he trying to say? Was he disappointed she was trying to avoid him? Or was that just wishful thinking on her part?

  “I... I didn’t want to get in the way.” She glanced down at her bag, opening the side pocket to place her
sunglasses inside. “I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do with your sisters.”

  “Do you even want to know how the estate faired?”

  Immediately, her gaze rose to meet his. “Of course. Were you able to save it all?”

  He shook his head. There was a torrent of emotions in his eyes but she wasn’t able to distinguish one from the other. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “We lost some vines.”

  “I’m sorry.” She truly was sorry. “Hopefully, they can be replanted.”

  He nodded. “It’ll take time but it’s doable.”

  “I’m sure the new owner will be relieved.” She lifted her bag and swung the strap over her shoulder. It was time to make a quick exit while she still had her emotions in check.

  “Sylvie, there isn’t going to be a new owner.”

  “There isn’t? But I thought the papers had been signed.”

  “I got called away before we signed the papers. You might say the whole deal went up in flames.” A half smile pulled at his lips.

  Her heart was pounding. What did this mean? She refused to jump to conclusions. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up just to have them dashed. After all, there was a baby counting on her to get this right.

  “You could stay on, here at the estate,” he said.

  She shook her head. “I need to return to Florence and continue searching for a new job.”

  “And the baby?”

  “I would never keep you away from him or her. Florence isn’t that far away. I’m sure we can work out a visitation schedule.”

  “You won’t reconsider staying here?”

  She gave a firm shake of her head. “I have to start a new life for myself and the baby. It’s better this way.”

  If she were to stay here, she didn’t think she’d ever be able to get over Enzo. He’d always be around. They’d be bumping into each other at every turn. And a one-way love—it just wasn’t enough for her.

  Even though her parents’ love had burned bright and quickly, it was something genuine—something so strong that her mother held on to the memories of that love until her last breath. If Sylvie was going to risk her heart to another, she wanted a strong, passionate love like theirs had been.