Reunited with Her Italian Billionaire

by Nina Singh

  Brianna moved away from him and paced the small hallway. She didn’t say a word for several moments, just moved up and down from the door to her room back to where Marco stood.

  He had known she wouldn’t like what Nonna suggested. It was, after all, the very thing Brianna wanted to be done with; their life together in Italy. But right now, he couldn’t read her at all. All she did was pace.

  Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer.

  “Bree, I’m sorry. But I’m tired and will be travelling most of the day tomorrow. I should at least pretend to sleep.”

  She halted and turned to him. “You can’t be apart from Enzo now. It would only upset him all the more after having you for only a few days.”

  That set him back a step. “But you said you wanted me to leave, vehemently. Several times.”

  She bit her lip. “I do. You can’t stay here.”

  “Brianna, what exactly is it that you do want?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not sure I know anymore.”

  Marco waited.

  “Nonna’s right,” she finally said.

  “What exactly do you think she’s right about?”

  “About all of it.”

  “All of it?”

  She looked over to Enzo’s door. “I can’t risk damaging my son. I just can’t risk it. I don’t know what we should do in the long run. I just know I never want to see him that upset again.”

  Marco blinked. “Let me make sure I understand. You’re willing to return to Italy.”

  She pulled back her hair. “I guess we have to. Between his behavior issues and what he did just now...” Her voice faltered, as if reliving it.

  “For how long?”

  “I don’t know exactly. A week perhaps. Maybe a month. I guess we’ll have to reevaluate everything as Enzo improves.”

  “I see,” Marco said. “What about what you were trying to do here?”

  The lip quiver again. But then she raised her chin. “It can all wait until I’m sure Enzo’s all right. If I have to, I can give up the house. My landlord would love to let me out of the lease. The housing market has gotten tighter since I moved in, he can make much more renting to a new tenant.”

  “I see,” Marco said. “And I suppose it’s as convenient a time as any, given that you’re no longer employed.”

  Something flooded her eyes before she quickly looked away. “Right,” she said. “Can you postpone your return flight a day or two? There are things I need to wrap up here.”

  “Of course. And I’ll let Nonna know to expect all of us. She’ll be thrilled.”

  Brianna looked back up to study him. “Please make sure she understands. This is nothing more than an extended visit. To make sure Enzo’s all right.”

  Marco nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted. “I’ll explain it, cara.”

  “And you understand that too, don’t you?”

  He stared at her. “You mean I shouldn’t entertain any notions that you’re doing this for any other reason than for Enzo.”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Don’t worry. I know you can’t wait to be rid of the husband you no longer want to be with. I won’t forget that.”

  “That’s not what I said. I just feel that you and I should focus on how to move on as individuals, despite this temporary setback.”

  He came close to telling her to forget it, this whole situation was impossible. And now she was essentially telling him not to get his hopes up. With a firm grip on his anger, he forced himself to give her a careless smile.

  “What makes you think I haven’t moved on?” he asked. “And that this isn’t a setback for me to suddenly have my wife back in residence.”

  His wife. She was that in the legal sense certainly. But something had happened to sever the initial connection they’d shared. An undeniable fact. Around the time right before Enzo’s birth. Her health scares during pregnancy were more stressful than he would have cared to admit. Coupled with the frustration of not being able to touch her, the tenuous bond they’d been building had suffered an unrecoverable blow. Tenuous it must have been indeed.

  Brianna seemed to mull over his statement as she chewed her lip.

  “Don’t worry that I’ll misunderstand, Bree,” he said. “You’re returning to our home. I have no expectation that you’ll return to our bed.”

  * * *

  Brianna crossed the note to call Curtis off her to-do list. She’d apologized profusely and made him accept his would-be salary because of all the unexpected changes to the original offer.

  She looked around at the tidy colonial house she’d called home for the past six months. Everything had been packed up hastily and the windows were all sealed. Though they’d been comfortable here, she’d be hard pressed to say she would miss it. For all she knew, it had been the mistake of her life, coming here to New York. Had she in fact caused serious damage to the psyche of her son? Had all of his behavioral issues been the result of her leaving Italy and all that he’d known?

  She shuddered at the thought. If true, it would be something she’d never forgive herself for.

  Going back was the right thing for little Enzo. Oh, but she knew it was the wrong thing for her. The last thing she needed was to be back in Marco’s home. Marco’s romantic villa had been the ultimate location for an impromptu honeymoon. Set amongst the lush, high hills outside of Positano, the Mediterranean-style house had taken Brianna’s breath away when she’d first seen it.

  While she’d been passed from one location to another during childhood, her husband had been born and grown up in a mansion his ancestors had built and maintained. On land his forbearers had cultivated.

  And Marco was the true master of his ancestral home. He’d taken her through every room and given her a detailed history of the structure and the lands on which it had stood for close to a hundred years. He’d kissed her on the veranda overlooking the sea. That was one of the last good memories she had of living there. Before everything had gone sour.

  Dear heavens, how would she cope being back there and the sure damage it would cause to her heart?

  But staying here was definitely not worth the risk. Not when it came to her son. And after all, it wasn’t like she really had much of a life here at this point. She’d lost one job and another one she thought had opened up turned out not to bear out. There hadn’t been much time to make any new friends. All her old ones were busy with their own lives with focuses on career advancement and social activities. They no longer had much in common with the mother of a temperamental toddler.

  It was time to return to Italy. She would have to re-evaluate her life once she got there. All that mattered now was her little boy and his well-being.

  * * *

  Even in a private jet, it was not easy to travel with a small child. Marco pulled Enzo onto his lap for what seemed like the hundredth time. The boy apparently had made a game of it to crawl from his mother’s lap to Marco’s over and over again. Marco wasn’t sure how he’d handle the hours on the flight if Enzo kept it up.

  “Isn’t there anything in there that might keep him occupied?” Marco asked, pointing to the canvas bag full of toys Brianna had carried onto the plane.

  Brianna blew a strand of hair off her face. “He seems not to be interested in playing with toys.”

  He wrestled with Enzo as the child tried to settle himself just right. “Couldn’t you have brought along things he enjoyed?”

  Brianna’s eyes widened. “Why, Marco. I hadn’t thought of that. What an excellent source of child-rearing logic you are.”

  Her sarcasm was so cuttingly sharp he couldn’t help but laugh. He tapped his forehead with mock seriousness. “I’m a very astute thinker.”

  She rolled her eyes playfully and smiled at him. It was nice to see her smiling. She’d been so tense since Enzo’s episode. Clearly worr
ied about the boy. So was Marco. He’d always led a pretty adventurous life. Quite a few moments out at sea on his boat had turned harrowing and challenging when an unexpected storm hit midsail.

  But he could honestly say Enzo’s episode had made him more scared than he’d ever felt.

  Enzo twisted in his lap again and kneed him in the groin.

  “I told you he wasn’t easy in cramped spaces,” Brianna said, in response to his grunt. She rummaged in her large bag. “Here, try this.” She pulled out a picture book.

  Marco opened the book and Enzo seemed mollified for the moment.

  Marco glanced at the laptop bag underneath the seat in front of him. “So much for getting some work done on this flight.”

  “Not unless he falls asleep.”

  “I’ll pray for it.”

  She shifted in her seat to look at him. “It’s quite an adjustment for you, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “What is?”

  “You’re always so structured, so in control of your life and your work. Then Enzo and I come along and disrupt it all.”

  He turned to her. “Is that what you think?”

  “Isn’t that why you were away from the house so often while we were living there?”

  “My work has always taken me away for extended periods. Did you honestly think I was trying to get away from my son?”

  She shrugged. “Not necessarily your son. But maybe you wanted to get away from the chaos a child can inflict. Especially one as high energy as Enzo.”

  “Brianna, I can in all honesty tell you that I never used business as a way to get a reprieve from my child.”

  “Then perhaps it was a reprieve from the wife you ended up unintentionally saddled with.” Brianna bit her lip as soon as the words left her mouth. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  He wasn’t sure how to respond. She looked away out the window. Marco had to acknowledge the truth in her words. He had thrown himself full force into his work after his marriage. Things had been awkward when she’d first moved in. Neither of them had seemed to know what to say to the other.

  Adding to the new dynamic was the reaction of those around them. The whole household, the whole town had seemed infatuated with the newest Dirici. Brianna had found herself the instant subject of unending attention. No doubt some of the buzz had been his own fault. Marco’s reputation as a swinging bachelor had taken quite a hit when he’d suddenly gotten married. Everyone who knew him wanted to learn more about the woman who had finally “snared” Marco Dirici.

  Judging from her expression right now and her words, his absence had bothered her more than he’d noticed.

  “The business was in a major growth spurt,” he told her. “It still is. I couldn’t ignore that.”

  “Is that the only reason you had to be away so often? Or for so long?”

  “What else?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe when you were at work you could pretend none of it had ever happened.”

  There was clear hurt in her voice. How could he have missed it? Things were just so hectic during the months after Brianna had first moved to Italy. She’d been on bed rest for a considerable amount of time. He’d wanted to make sure she got all the rest she needed. And he’d been in the middle of a major expansion with Dirici enterprises.

  “I was simply trying to catch up, cara.”

  “Catch up?”

  How to explain? Brianna’s pregnancy had been a variable he hadn’t foreseen. Hadn’t planned for. It had thrown his whole life plan out of the proverbial window. He rubbed his forehead. “There were things I wanted to have in place before starting a family of my own.”

  “What kinds of things?”

  “For one, I wanted Dirici Foods to have reached a certain standing on the global stage. I’ve always known I wanted to expand into North America. The more growth, the more financial security.”

  “What else?”

  What was the point of getting into all this? Her expression told him she really needed an answer. “I guess I always thought I’d be...older when I started a family.”

  “More mature?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose.”

  She sighed. “Yeah, me too.”

  Marco reached over to tousle his son’s hair. Enzo gave him an adorable smile then started sucking his thumb.

  “So you were racing against time to cover the distance you’d lost?” Brianna said. “That’s why you were gone so often and for so long.”

  He supposed that was an interesting way to put it. Accurate, as well.

  “It wasn’t like you’d been left alone,” he argued, though it sounded weak even to his own ears. “Nonna practically doted on you since the day you arrived. Not to mention, we have a full staff at the mansion who are practically family.”

  A cloud of emotion flooded her eyes. “None of that is the same as having one’s husband around.”

  The words shocked him. He knew she spoke the truth. She was right about him grappling with his new reality when they’d arrived. He’d always had full control of his life and emotions. Then suddenly he found himself a married man with a small child. A wife he could barely contain himself around. It was easier just to stay away and focus on what he was good at. Being a businessman.

  She shrugged. “I just finally decided it was fair to move on with my life since you were so consumed with your own,” Brianna said, looking out the window.

  Marco took a moment to let that sink in. For the past six months he’d come to all sorts of conclusions about why his wife may have left. All his theories had revolved around her. Not once had he considered how his own actions may have led to her decision. Until now.

  He had not, by any means, been purposely avoiding her. Had he?

  She tightened her seat belt and turned in her seat, reclining back as she did so. “Read the book to Enzo, Marco.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  IT WAS LIKE stepping back in time. After a long, exhausting flight during which Enzo grew more and more restless, Brianna found herself finally stepping into the large Mediterranean-style mansion that had been the Dirici home for close to a century. Up until six months ago, it had been her home as well. It certainly didn’t feel that way now. Actually, she thought, as she followed Marco through the front door, it had never really felt like home for her. Despite all her attempts to fit in here, and despite all the kindness Marco’s staff and grandmother had shown her, she’d always felt out of place. Everything from not being fluent in Italian to the unfamiliarity of the countryside served as a barrier to feeling as if she belonged.

  Enzo was clearly a different story.

  His baby squeals of joy echoed through the foyer as they entered the house. How could a toddler so small even know? But he seemed completely familiar as he looked over the pillars at the base of the stairs, the high ceilings and the shiny marble tiles on the floor.

  A horde of people descended on them at once. The Diricis’ housekeeper, doormen, even the cook who’d always treated Brianna like an imposter looking to take over the kitchen.

  “Ms. Brianna, so glad to have you back.”

  “We’ve missed you both, Ms. Brianna.”

  So many words of welcome echoed around her, Brianna wasn’t even sure who said what. A strange emotion swelled in her chest and she felt a slight sting in her eyes. Enzo was getting even more attention. And he clearly enjoyed it. In his father’s arms, he pumped his legs furiously, laughing and gurgling at everyone.

  “Where is he? Where is my precious, precious little boy?”

  Nonna rushed toward them with her heavy waddle and trademark neck scarf. Today it was a pretty red one with a paisley pattern. She seemed every bit as matronly as Brianna remembered. It was an act. Marie Dirici was as far from a matron as a bull. She was closer to a force of nature. Made all the more effective by her demure disguise
.

  Nonna wasted no time in pulling Enzo out of Marco’s arms and into hers. For a moment, Enzo seemed to disappear in his great-grandmother’s ample bosom. When he reemerged, he appeared a little disoriented. His smile returned even wider when Nonna handed him a chocolate biscotti.

  Then she turned her attention to Brianna. “Dearest Brianna, how are you, my child?” Brianna found herself in the same tight bear hug.

  The greeting both surprised and warmed her. Brianna had, after all, been the reason Nonna and Enzo had been separated for all these months.

  “I’m fine, Nonna. You’re looking well.” The woman was absolutely beaming.

  “I’m more than well. Now that you and Enzo are back.”

  Nonna turned to Marco and placed a large hand on his cheek. “Thank you for bringing them back home.”

  Brianna waited for Marco to say something, to state the truth behind their return. Nonna had to know this was just a temporary arrangement.

  He simply nodded. “Why don’t you hold on to Enzo while I help Brianna get settled,” Marco said, taking Brianna by the elbow and leading her up the stairs. Carlo, the Diricis’ valet, followed behind with the rest of her luggage.

  Brianna took a deep breath. She would make sure to set things straight with Nonna as soon as she could. Right now, she could use some time to freshen up a bit and be alone. All those hours in such close proximity to Marco had taken their toll on her emotions. Everything could wait while she took a breather and adjusted to the time and climate change.

  She also had to adjust to the return to a life she thought she’d abandoned for good. Even if it was only temporary.

  * * *

  Brianna found them on the veranda. Marco, Enzo and Nonna sat on the plush wicker patio furniture with a pitcher of iced coffee. Marco’s face was hidden behind a newspaper, his foot resting casually on the chair opposite him.

  Nonna had Enzo perched on her knee. They were looking at a photo album. Enzo dropped it and ran to Brianna when he noticed her.

  She felt a silly sense of relief, that even with all the excitement and attention, he still reacted to the sight of his mother.