He opened the rear door. “But I am involved. I don’t believe I’ve ever helped a genuine princess in distress before and rather like the idea. Come on. You’ve been living dangerously since leaving Paris. Why stop now?”
His sense of humor caught her off guard and she chuckled in spite of the fear gripping her that this freedom couldn’t last. Not wanting to hold things up, she climbed in. He set her suitcase on the bank of seats in front of them and sat next to her, pulling the door shut. His rock-hard limbs brushed against her jeans-clad legs. The contact sent a dart of awareness through her body.
She heard him tell the chauffeur to drive them to the airport. They drove through a breathtaking portion of Mondello to the main route leading out of the city. Tuccia had the sensation of being spirited away where nothing could hurt her.
It was a heavenly feeling she’d never experienced before. She’d sell her soul for it to last, but she knew this wonderful moment could only be enjoyed until they reached the airport.
“Where are we going?” she asked at last, alive to everything about this extraordinary man.
“To Milan.”
“Where you work when you’re not in New York.”
“More importantly, it’s where you’ll be safe. I fear my mother has done far too much talking about me.”
“That’s because she loves you.” Tuccia had heard about the spectacular castello restaurant he owned and ran with his business partners. His other business interests in New York City were legendary. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to know that kind of love from my own parents.”
“That’s a lonely statement.”
“Now I’m doing too much talking and sound so sorry for myself, I’m ashamed. But you have no idea what I’d give to erase the image the country has of me. I’m not the tempestuous, volatile woman everyone believes me to be. I just want to be free like other women to make the kind of life I want for myself.”
“According to my mother, you’ve run away from a fate worse than death.”
“Put that way it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Unfortunately it’s true for me and I’ve dragged three innocent people into my personal disaster. I pray there won’t be any repercussions for you,” she half sobbed the words.
His hand grasped hers, sending a wave of warmth through her. “No one brought my mother and me kicking and screaming,” he teased gently. “If I were in your shoes and betrothed to some odious marchesa twice my age, I can promise you I would flee to the other side of the universe where no one would ever find me.”
Odious was the exact word to describe Jean-Michel.
The analogy was so ludicrous she found herself laughing. But it underlined the fact that Cesare Donati wasn’t married. Tuccia couldn’t help but wonder how many women must have flung themselves at him.
“That’s better,” he said before releasing her hand.
Soon they arrived at the airport and were driven to the area where the private jets sat on the tarmac. The limo wound around and stopped next to one in silver and blue that stood out with a coat of arms depicting the Duc di Lombardi. A thrill of excitement passed through her to know she’d be flying to northern Italy with him. Just the two of them.
Once Cesare helped her out of the limo with her suitcase, the steward welcomed them aboard. He showed her to the elegant club compartment where she sat across from her protector as she thought of him. Pretty soon the Fasten Seat Belt light went on and she heard the scream of the engines as they taxied out to the runway.
After they’d taken off and achieved cruising speed, the light went off and the steward brought them breakfast trays. She found she was starving and ate everything, including a second cup of coffee to drink.
Cesare flashed her a searching glance. “How long has it been since you had a substantial meal?”
“My aunt kept trying to feed me after I arrived in Palermo, but I was so nervous I couldn’t eat very much. Now I’m hungry.”
“How did you manage your escape so perfectly when all of your other attempts have failed?”
“I can see my aunt has told your mother everything about my past.” Tuccia heaved a sigh. “I’ve been planning this latest scheme since my first dress fitting two months ago. Yesterday morning I went to the dressmaker with my mother for the final wedding dress fitting.
“When Madame Dufy went to find the dressmaker and bring out my gown, I told my mother I needed to use the ladies’ room and hurried down the hallway. As soon as no one was in sight, I shot out the back door of the salon. I knew there was a nearby tête de taxi. From there I was driven to the airport where Bertina had chartered a private jet for me ahead of time under a fake name. And here I am.”
His gaze held hers. “That was a daring plan.”
“I’m sure you think me selfish and cruel, but it was the only way to end the nightmare of my life. I’ve written a letter to Jean-Michel to apologize. It’s all ready to be mailed except for a stamp.”
“Where is it?”
“In my purse.”
“May I see it?”
When she pulled it out, he walked over and took it from her. After examining the address, he put it in his pocket. “I’ll make sure he gets it without the police being able to trace it.”
“You must think me heartless and that I’m living up to all the falsehoods spread about me. Actually they’re not all false. I do have a bad temper that erupts at times and I’ve gotten a lot of staff into trouble who were supposed to keep a close watch on me.”
After a silence he said, “What I think doesn’t matter.” The Fasten Seat Belt light went on again. He strapped himself in. “We’re descending to Milan. Very soon I’ll take you to a place where you’ll be hidden from the world and hopefully safe for another twenty-four hours. While you’re figuring out what it is you would like to do with the rest of your life, I’ll have to leave you, but I’ll be back in a couple of days.”
Her spirits plunged at that revelation. “Where are you going?”
“To Palermo.”
“Again? I don’t understand.”
“I’m going to see the man I’d hired to be the castello’s new executive pastry chef.”
Her brows met in a delicate frown. “Why didn’t you visit with him before you brought me all this way first?”
The pilot set the jet down and it taxied to a stop. “Because he was rushed to the hospital during the night and couldn’t come with me to start his new position. He was supposed to meet my partners today and get settled in.”
“Oh, how terrible for him and you!”
“Since you needed to leave Palermo before the authorities caught up to you, I brought you instead.”
The man continued to astound her. She shook her head. “I can’t believe you would do that for me.” Tuccia loved him already for his sacrifice.
His blue eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t put her finger on. “Mamma said it was a matter of life and death. After learning how desperate you are to escape the life your parents and fiancé have orchestrated for you, I’m inclined to believe she was telling the truth.”
His compassion filled her with feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. “Please—you don’t have to send my letter to the comte. It’s too much. I’ll find a way to do it,” she said in a throbbing voice he could probably feel.
“It’s a simple thing that needs to be done so he’ll call off his army. There’s no one like you, and no question he wants you back. Needless to say, you’re