Sweet Italian Christmas: Three Christmas Romances

by Helen Scott Taylor

  They signed their names in a register and were handed a certificate. Then the strange ordeal was over. Gina felt like she'd taken part in a play or historical reenactment. She gazed at the gold ring studded with tiny diamonds and couldn't believe she was legally married.

  Her phone chimed, dragging her back to reality. When she checked the screen, she had a text from Savino. Signore Dè Fiore has requested a meeting with us on Christmas Eve. Come straight home.

  She passed the phone to Seth, and he nodded. "Well, Mrs. Trevathan, looks like we're going to Italy for Christmas."

  "Do you think this is a good thing?"

  "It's good that we'll find out where we stand with Dè Fiore."

  Gina sighed. This was what she'd wanted, to spend Christmas in Italy with her family and have Seth there as well. So why did she feel like everything had gone wrong?

  • • •

  Seth was worried about Gina. He hadn't expected her to be overjoyed by the sudden unplanned wedding, even though she claimed to love him. He'd married her so she could return to Italy and see her family. That was what she said she wanted to do, so surely she shouldn't be this miserable.

  During the ten-hour overnight drive from Scotland to Cornwall, Gina had slept. They arrived at Home Farm in the early hours of the morning. Seth had asked Scott to drop Tiff off at home so she'd be there when they got back. As he opened the back door, the dog burst out, excited to see them.

  Blinking sleepily, Gina crouched and wrapped her arms around Tiff, pressing her face to the dog's neck and kissing her. It was ironic that on his wedding day Tiff was getting more kisses than he had.

  "Go on up, love. Take Tiff with you." Seth watched Gina drag her feet wearily up the stairs, the dog on her heels. Then he went back out to the pickup to fetch their bags. He dumped his in his room and knocked on Gina's door. When she opened up, he passed her bag over and she pecked his cheek in a quick kiss.

  "Thanks."

  Then she shut the door in his face.

  Seth gripped the back of his neck, frowning. Had he done something to upset her? Apart from dragging her up to Scotland in the snow and marrying her in an old blacksmith's shop? It was obvious she hadn't been impressed with the place. But then if he'd hoped to get married under the warm Italian sun, he might be disappointed as well.

  Although he didn't expect a passionate wedding night as they were both exhausted, he did want to hold her. When she was upset he liked to take care of her, but he wouldn't insist she share his bed if she didn't want to. At least she had Tiff to keep her company.

  Seth went down to switch off the downstairs lights and trailed upstairs, his eyes gritty with tiredness. If not for his military training, he probably wouldn't have stayed alert on the long drive home.

  He changed, used the bathroom, and sat on the edge of his bed, a tight nauseated feeling in his gut as he considered the possibility he'd made a terrible mistake. Gina had said she loved him and he adored her, but had he been crazy to push her into a quick wedding she was likely to regret?

  His first marriage had been a disaster but it hadn't bothered him. This time was different. He loved Gina. If things went wrong, it was going to hurt like crazy.

  As he pulled back the covers and climbed in bed, Tiff whined and nudged his bedroom door open with her nose. Behind her, Gina stood in the hall in her cream satin pajamas. "You didn't ask me to come in with you." The misery on her face tore at his heart.

  "Gina, you silly thing. Of course I want you in bed with me. I thought you'd decided to be on your own." He held out his hand and she rushed in, burrowing under the covers and snuggling against his chest.

  Seth was so relieved he could barely breathe. "I love you, darling," he whispered against her hair. This beautiful, fragile woman had become so important to him in such a short time.

  "Love you too," she said, her breath tickling his chest.

  "You've not been feeling good today, honey, have you? Was that your depression?"

  She nodded, and he was both sad for her and relieved for himself. Now that he knew the signs, he wouldn't take her withdrawal personally next time. Their relationship was still so new, it would take him a while to learn how to handle things.

  As his eyes closed, a heavy weight settled across his legs. Squinting at Tiff in the low light, he had a feeling he'd have to get used to three in the bed.

  • • •

  Gina clutched Seth's arm as he pushed the luggage cart out of the sliding doors at Naples Airport. She breathed in the unique fragrance of Italy and released a sigh. How she'd longed to come home. What she hadn't bargained on was having to meet Nico and his father.

  Savino and Leo were adamant this was the best thing to do. It sounded as though Signore Dè Fiore wanted to sort out this problem with Nico. The good thing was, if he agreed to keep his son away from her, he would honor his word.

  They stopped and scanned the frantic activity outside the terminal building with taxis coming and going, horns sounding, and men shouting. Then Gina spotted Leo's SUV stopping. She pulled away from Seth and ran between the people, her pulse racing, tears in her eyes.

  Leo climbed out and smiled as Gina threw herself into his arms. She buried her face under her big brother's chin and closed her eyes as his arms tightened around her. Leo had always looked after her and kept her safe. He knew better than anyone what she'd been through because Leo had suffered his own problems.

  "Are you all right, bella mia?" he said softly. "You were happy to marry Seth?"

  Seth… Gina hadn't given him a thought when she ran to Leo. She turned and watched as her gorgeous blond god made his way through the pushing crowd, patiently waiting when his route was blocked.

  "Hi, Leo." When Seth reached them, he held out a hand and Leo shook it.

  Gina had always felt safe with her family, and especially with Leo. He was the one she went to when she had a problem. Yet as she stood there in her brother's arms, for the first time in her life it felt off, as if something had changed.

  Stepping away from her brother, she leaned into Seth. He wrapped an arm around her and everything felt right again. She had never before trusted a man as much as her family. She'd never imagined there was a guy who would tolerate her highs and lows and really love her. Yet Seth knew who she really was, and he still wanted to be with her.

  "Come on, love. You climb in." Seth opened the back door for her, and then returned the luggage cart while Leo stowed the suitcases.

  Instead of sitting in the front, Seth joined her in the back and took her hand. Leo drove into the traffic and put his hand on the horn as he shot through a gap in the line of cars.

  "I've spoken to Signore Dè Fiore," he said, glancing in the rearview mirror at them. "We're meeting him at Ristorante Vesuvio at four p.m."

  Gina hung on to Seth's hand like a lifeline, her heart pounding. The thought of seeing Nico spiked anxiety along her nerves, but if they could sort this matter out for good, she would face him again as long as she had Seth at her side.

  Chapter Ten

  The electric gates swung open at Leo's house, and the SUV went down the drive at the side of the huge block-shaped modern building and turned into the basement garage. Seth had visited here before when he was staying with Emily. He didn't especially like the house. It was all white-and-gray marble with high ceilings and modern furniture. Not snug and cozy like Home Farm.

  "All right, love?" When the car stopped, Seth leaned across Gina to push open the door for them to get out. They followed Leo to the elevator. When they stepped out at the top, Gina's family was there waiting.

  "Ciao, Gina. Ciao."

  Seth could just about understand the Italian greetings, then he was lost. He stepped aside as Gina's parents and brothers closed around her like a human shield, shepherding her towards the sitting room while Violet skipped behind, babbling in Italian and waving a doll.

  He had the impression that Gina's parents weren't impressed with him, and he wasn't surprised. Their world was very differen
t from his, with their expensive cars and luxury houses. They probably didn't see him as much of a catch.

  Emily came to greet him with Giorgio. The little boy charged up and down the hallway with a plastic car in his hand, making engine noises.

  "Hey, you. How are you?" Emily wrapped her arms around Seth's ribs and squeezed. He hugged her back, kissing her forehead.

  "Tired. I've driven a long way in the last couple of days."

  Emily glanced over her shoulder, obviously checking if anyone was listening. Then she lowered her voice. "You married Gina. I thought you said she wasn't your type?"

  "I was wrong. She's exactly my type." Beautiful, adorable, and she needed him.

  Claire waddled out of the kitchen and cut short their conversation. "Hi, Seth. I'm glad you and Gina are back for Christmas. We have a mountain of food to eat."

  He kissed Claire's cheek as Violet dashed through from the sitting room and wrapped her arms around Claire's expanded waistline, kissing her baby bump. "Uncle Seth, my baby sister is inside Mamma."

  Claire stroked her hair. "Remember, it might be a baby brother. We'll find out in a few weeks when he pops out to say hello."

  "I want it to be a sister." Violet bounced around on her toes singing, then dashed towards the sitting room again, shouting Gina's name and something about a new dress.

  Savino and Leo returned to the hall, and Savino shook Seth's hand.

  "Thank you for taking care of Gina. We have an hour until the meeting with Dè Fiore. We should change. I'll tell Gina."

  "I'll show you your room, Seth." Leo picked up Gina's suitcase while Seth carried his own and followed Leo up the stairs.

  Leo pushed open the door to a room decorated in cream and blue with modern furniture that had drawers and cupboards with no apparent handles and a cold marble floor. Seth would never get used to having no carpets.

  Leo set Gina's suitcase on the bed and nodded to Seth. "See you downstairs in thirty minutes."

  "Okay. Thank you."

  The room was large and spacious. Seth felt as though he was cluttering up the clean lines with his battered old bag and suit carrier. He pulled out his jacket and trousers but he couldn't find anywhere to hang them, so he laid them on the bed.

  Before Gina came up, he used the adjoining bathroom, marveling at how clean and bright the gleaming chrome and ceramic was. Not a water spot or fleck of soap scum anywhere. No wonder Gina had been less than impressed with his bathroom.

  He heard the door to the bedroom close and quickly finished up. When he went through the door, he found Gina sitting on the side of the bed with her head in her hands.

  "Darling, it's going to be fine." He sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.

  "I hope so. I'm sorry. I'm having a really bad day today. It's all getting on top of me."

  "Maybe you'll feel better once this meeting is over. At least then the Dè Fiores will know we're married."

  Seth stroked Gina's back to soothe her. All he wanted was for Gina to be happy. His instinct was to try to cheer her up when she felt bad, but he now understood that all he could do was be there for her and be patient and kind.

  "You'd better get ready, love." Seth checked his watch. "We need to meet your brothers downstairs at half past three."

  With a heaving sigh, Gina stood up and wandered into the bathroom, her shoulders slumped.

  Seth rubbed a hand over his face as he rose to put on his suit. He was giving her a pep talk, but he was uncertain about this meeting as well. He hoped Gina's brothers knew what they were doing.

  • • •

  As Leo drove his SUV through the narrow streets into the old part of Naples, Seth noticed Gina was wearing a diamond ring with her wedding band.

  "Mamma loaned it to me."

  "Good idea." They didn't want to do anything to cast doubt on the fact they were married. He should have thought of that himself. Although in the frantic activity of the last twenty-four hours, Seth wouldn't have had time to buy an engagement ring.

  "I'm nervous," Gina whispered.

  "It'll be fine." Seth smiled to reassure her, hoping he was telling the truth. He trusted her brothers' judgment in this. He had no experience in dealing with the Mafia.

  Leo bumped the vehicle up the edge of the road and parked outside an elegant old building with the classy-looking Ristorante Vesuvio taking up most of the ground floor.

  Savino opened the door for Gina, and Seth slid out of the vehicle behind her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

  Leo led them to a double door beside the restaurant guarded by a hard-faced man in a black suit. Wordlessly, the guy opened the door for them and stepped aside to let them through.

  Inside, a grand marble staircase rose from a black-and-white tile floor, a huge chandelier lighting the spacious foyer. Seth rested his hand on Gina's back and mounted the stairs at her side, Savino and Leo ahead of them, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

  Leo glanced back, his gaze flicking from Seth to Gina. "All right?" he asked. Seth nodded.

  Gina's brothers were both dressed in expensive dark suits with silk ties, and gold cufflinks glinting at their wrists. She wore high heels, a tight red dress with a faux fur coat and matching hat, and huge gold earrings. Seth felt out of place in his off-the-rack gray suit and cheap shirt and tie. It would be immediately obvious to Signore Dè Fiore that Seth didn't belong in this world. He hoped this didn't jeopardize the meeting.

  At the top of the stairs, another man in a dark suit stood in front of more tall double doors. As they approached, he knocked and then opened them.

  Seth's pulse kicked up as he stepped into the room behind Gina's brothers, his wife's hand tightly clasped in his.

  The room was grand, with a high ceiling covered in swirling plaster moldings and two chandeliers. In the middle, a huge table was set for dinner with elaborate gold and silver Christmas centerpieces, shining silverware, and glittering crystal glasses. This must be a private function room.

  Three men sat at the far end of the table. The eldest man in the middle was obviously the boss. Seth's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then narrowed on the two younger men, curious to know which was the jerk who'd put Gina through hell.

  He returned his attention to the boss man. He was not what Seth had expected. When he thought Mafia, an image of Marlon Brando from the Godfather popped into his head, but this guy was a lot less impressive. Skinny with graying hair, he looked like any businessman you might see on the street.

  Signore Dè Fiore rose to his feet as they approached.

  "Leo, Savino." He held out his arm, and they exchanged greetings in Italian and shook hands.

  The guy seemed friendly enough, but experience had taught Seth you could not take people at face value. This man hadn't gained his status by being nice.

  "Gina." Signore Dè Fiore stepped forward and held her shoulders while he kissed her on each cheek. "And this must be Signore Trevathan." The Italian mangled Seth's surname, but apart from that his English was okay.

  It didn't escape Seth's notice that the guy did not offer to shake his hand. Instead he lifted Gina's left hand and stared at her rings.

  "So, you are now Signora Trevathan," he said.

  "Yes." Gina's voice was barely above a whisper, her gaze darting to the young guy on the left. The man stared daggers at her, but more in a spurned lover sort of way than with aggression. Seth had imagined Nico to be tall, dark, and handsome, but if you ignored the Rolex, diamond tie stud, and expensive clothes, he was very ordinary.

  "How do you enjoy England? Is it not too cold and wet for you?" Signore Dè Fiore asked Gina.

  "I'm getting used to it."

  "You, Signore Trevathan, how do you like Italy? Do you plan to move here?"

  "I don't know yet."

  "You were a Royal Marine commando. That is right?"

  Seth nodded, his gut clenched, wondering how much this Mafia boss knew about him and his life. Of course he'd have researched him. He must know ab
out Natalie. It hadn't occurred to Seth that by marrying Gina, he might put his daughter at risk.

  "If you move here, I will give you a job. They say it costs many thousands of British pounds to train a Royal Marine. Why waste such an investment?"

  Seth hadn't expected this. The last thing he wanted to do was get involved in the Mafia, but he didn't want to offend the guy either.

  "Thank you for the offer, I—"

  "Seth already has a job," Savino interrupted smoothly. "He's going to take over as head of security at Marin Innovations now that I've had to fire my security staff."

  Signore Dè Fiore laughed as if they had shared a private joke, and wandered back to the chair where he'd been sitting.

  "I have some good news. My Nico, he is going to the US to work for my cousin. There are more opportunities for him there to make a name for himself." He glanced at the sullen man at his side.

  Relief washed through Seth. This was what Dè Fiore had invited them here for. This was all about him saving face.

  "Congratulations," Savino said, shaking Nico's hand. "I travel to the US often on business. There are lots of opportunities there."

  Leo shook Nico's hand as well, and they all made a show of congratulating the young man as if he'd won a promotion.

  It really went against the grain, but Seth smiled at the jerk who'd half destroyed Gina's life, and wished him luck.

  "It was good to see you again," Signore Dè Fiore said to Leo and Savino.

  They went through the ritual of saying good-bye, then Seth pulled Gina's hand through the crook of his arm. He felt eyes boring into his back as he walked away. The click of the door shutting behind him was a relief.

  After going down the stairs and out into the street, they all climbed in the car, and Leo threaded his way along the narrow streets and out of the city center towards his house.

  Only when they had put a few miles between them and the Dè Fiores did Seth breathe easier.

  Savino looked back between the seats and grinned. "That was about as close to an apology as it's possible to get from old Dè Fiore. Nico is out of your life forever, bella mia," he said to Gina.