Return of the Italian Tycoon. Jennifer Faye

There was a weary, pained toned to Angelo’s voice. “I let the past keep me away.”

      Nico turned back to his sibling. “What happened to you was a long time ago. It wasn’t right, but a lot has changed since then. You no longer have an excuse to stay away.”

      “But I still have a company to run. I don’t have time to drop everything and travel halfway around the globe to check up on things. As far as I knew, everything was all right.”

      “Maybe if you didn’t work all the time and bothered to call occasionally, you’d know how things were going around here.”

      Questions crowded into Kayla’s mind—questions that were absolutely none of her business. But that didn’t stop her from wondering what had happened to drive Angelo away from his family. He obviously loved them or he wouldn’t have let his cool composure slide. And what caused him to keep his emotions under lock and key in the first place?

      Angelo raked his fingers through his hair. “Maybe I should have called more.”

      “Yes, you should have.”

      The thud of a door slamming shut punctuated Nico’s words. Kayla hesitantly glanced off in the distance as a young woman marched toward them. Her brown hair was wild and curly as it fluttered in the breeze. Her lips pressed into a firm line and her eyes narrowed in on the two men. This must be Marianna.

      “Enough!” The woman came to a stop between Angelo and Nico. “You two are being ridiculous. Anytime you both want to quit with the overprotective-brother routine, we can talk.”

      Though she was at least a foot shorter than her brothers, Marianna certainly didn’t hesitate to step between them. Something told Kayla that little sister wasn’t a shrinking violet with these two as her brothers. She’d definitely have to be strong-willed. Silently Kayla cheered her on.

      Angelo’s broad chest puffed up before he sighed. When he spoke, his voice was much gentler. “Marianna, if only I’d known—”

      “Stop.” The young woman pressed her hands to her hips and pulled back her slender shoulders. “Neither of you are to blame for my choices.”

      Angelo’s brows drew together in a formidable line. “But—”

      “I’m not done.” Her shoulders remained ramrod straight. “I’m a grown woman, if you hadn’t noticed. But then again, you’ve been off in the States and missed the fact that I’ve grown up. Maybe if you’d spent more time here, you’d have realized this.”

      Kayla’s heart went out to Angelo. He’d obviously made mistakes where his family was concerned, and they weren’t shy about calling him out on it. In his eyes, she could see pain and regret. Beneath his hard, protective shell lurked a vulnerable man.

      Angelo’s stance eased and his head lowered. “I know I should have been here for you—”

      “No. This isn’t what I want.” Marianna shook her head, sending her hair flying. “I don’t need you feeling guilty. I need you to understand that I can make my own decisions.”

      “See, I told you,” Nico piped in. “Trying to deal with her isn’t as easy as it sounds.”

      Angelo turned to his brother. “Maybe if you’d have told me sooner—”

      Nico’s dark brows drew together in a formidable line. “Told you—I tried calling you but I always got your voice mail. And you didn’t call back.”

      “I...I was getting around to it.”

      Nico shook his head in disbelief. “I’m glad to know where I fit on your list of priorities.”

      “You don’t understand.” Angelo rubbed the back of his neck. “You don’t know what it’s like to have a lot of people relying on you to produce cutting-edge promotions and other people looking to you for a paycheck. It’s not as easy as it sounds to run a successful company.”

      Nico expelled a disgusted sigh. “And you think turning this place into a renowned boutique vineyard has been easy? Yet I still found time to call you.”

      “Your message never said it was important.”

      “Stop!” Marianna pushed Angelo back. “You aren’t helping anything by coming here and fighting with Nico.”

      Angelo took a deep breath and blew it out. “I know I wasn’t here when you needed me, but I’m here now. Let me help.”

      Kayla watched all of this in utter amazement. She never would have guessed her boss was capable of such a wide range of emotions. So then why did he strive at the office for such an unflappable persona? What was she missing?

      Kayla was about to introduce herself to Marianna, when the young woman stared up at Angelo and said, “And I wish you weren’t here now. Not like this. Not with all of the fighting.” When Angelo’s brows rose and his mouth opened but nothing came out, Marianna added, “I don’t want to play referee.” Her hand moved protectively to her still-flat stomach. “It isn’t good for the baby.”

      Angelo and Nico looked at each other as though neither had considered how their fighting would stress their sister—their pregnant sister.

      Marianna moved to look at both of her brothers. “I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”

      Nico rolled his eyes. Angelo crossed his arms but refrained from saying anything.

      “I hope you’ll both give me some space.”

      Angelo’s brows rose. “But first, we want to know the name of the father.”

      “That’s none of your business.”

      Nico stepped forward. “It is our business if he thinks he’s going to get our sister pregnant and then just walk away.”

      Marianna’s face filled with color.

      Angelo pressed his hands to his sides. “We deserve the right to speak to this guy. He needs to know that we expect him to step up and do his part—”

      “And I expect you both to mind your own business.” Marianna started for the house.

      Enough was enough. The time had come to make a hasty exit. It was obvious that Marianna was in over her head and that her brothers were only making the situation worse.

      When Angelo turned to follow his sister, Kayla moved swiftly in front of him. “I’m not feeling so good.” It wasn’t totally a lie—her stomach was in knots watching the Amatucci siblings squabble. “Could you take me to the hotel?”

      Angelo’s worried gaze moved from her to his sister to her. “Sure.” He turned to Nico. “We need to talk more.”

      “I figured as much.”

      “I’ll be back after we get settled.”

      Nico shrugged. “I’ll be here. I can’t speak for Marianna.”

      “I don’t think she needs anyone to speak for her. She certainly does have a mind of her own. Even if it gets her in trouble.”

      “She always was strong-willed. I think she’s a lot like Mama.”

      “Agreed.”

      At last the two had something they agreed on—their little sister’s character. And now that things were on a good note, it was definitely time to say goodbye.

      Kayla cleared her throat, hoping to gain Angelo’s attention. When he didn’t turn her way, she proceeded to say, “Angelo, are you ready to go?”

      She’d have rather had a tour of the vineyard and stretched her legs, but not under these strained circumstances. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was the situation with their sister that had them at odds or if they had a history of not getting along.

      Angelo glanced her way. “It was a long trip. I suppose you would like to lie down for a bit.”