Alessandra’s eyes darted to him. “You’ve made her night.”
He cocked his head. “But it appears yours isn’t over yet, so I’ll leave you to your guest and see you tomorrow. Dormi bene.”
After wishing her good-night he headed for the stairs, which he took two at a time to his room on the third floor. Full of adrenaline because she’d finally agreed to be with him tomorrow, he pulled out his phone and returned Guido’s call. Though it was late, his friend would probably still be awake. On the third ring he answered.
“Rini? I’d given up and was headed for bed.”
“Sorry. I just got back to my room.”
“Where are you?”
“In a castle on the island of Posso.”
Guido chuckled. “Sure you are. So what’s happening? Are we still on for Saturday?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Don’t tell me it’s work again.”
“Not this time.”
“That sounds serious.”
“I am. Have you got a minute?”
“Since when do you have to ask me a question like that? Go ahead. I’m all ears.”
For the next little while he unloaded on his friend, leaving nothing out. When he’d finished, Guido whistled in response.
“In my gut I know Alessandra likes me, but she’s keeping me at a distance. I asked her to go scuba diving tomorrow and she finally gave in, but she’s not easy to understand. She doesn’t wear a ring, but tonight a man was waiting for her when we got back from dinner.”
“Then the first thing you need to find out is if she’s committed.”
Rini’s brows furrowed. “I don’t think she is. The housekeeper referred to the man as a visitor.”
“All’s fair then. Are you thinking she’s being hesitant because you met her sister first? You know, that kind of unwritten law thing.”
“Maybe.”
“The only way to find out is go after her and learn the truth for yourself.”
“I’ll do it. Thanks for the advice.”
After a long silence, his friend said, “I’ve been wondering when this day would come.”
Guido wasn’t the only one...
“I’ll call you later in the week to make final plans for Saturday. Ciao.”
He rang off, but he was feeling restless and decided to go for a walk before trying to get some sleep.
* * *
Alessandra waited outside the castle entrance while Bruno drove to the dock to get his scuba gear. When he came back, she approached the driver’s side of his van. “Did you find everything?”
He nodded. “I’m sorry to have bothered you so late. I have to leave on the diving trip for the institute in the morning. I wish you’d join us. We’ll be out there for another three days at least.”
“What spot this time?”
“The same one. We haven’t begun to explore that area thoroughly.”
“I agree.”
“Will you come? I know you’re busy on your book, but we need your expertise.” His gray eyes urged her to say yes. “I’d rather buddy with you than anyone else.”
I know. But she didn’t feel the same. “Bruno? Please don’t take this wrong, but I want to keep our friendship on a professional basis and won’t be buddying with you again.”
He looked surprised. “Does this mean there’s someone else?”
Exasperated, she said, “It means I’d prefer to keep my work separate from my personal life. I hope you understand.”
Tight-lipped, he accelerated faster than necessary and took off.
“Someone didn’t seem very happy,” a deep male voice said behind her.
She whirled around in shock. “Rini, I—I thought you’d gone to bed.”
“It’s a beautiful night. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to sleep, so I decided to go for a walk around the castle. Did the fact that my kidnapping you to Lecce upset certain plans you had with your visitor?”
“If I’d had plans, I wouldn’t have gone with you. That man was Dr. Tozzi from the archaeological institute. He came to get his scuba gear out of the cruiser. Tomorrow he’s going on another exploratory dive with the others for a few days.”
“You two dive together a lot?”
“There’s a whole group of us. Last week we went out on our boats from Metaponto. He happened to be my buddy that trip, so that’s why his scuba gear ended up in the cruiser. Tonight I told him he’d have to find another buddy because I would like our relationship to stay completely professional. “
“He doesn’t have his own boat?”
“Yes, but he forgot to transfer his equipment after we’d finished. The institute has a state-of-the-art oceanography boat, but he won’t bring it out until we’ve made a positive find.”
“I see. Are you supposed to go out with them again?”
“Yes, but I have to divide up my time.”
His dark brows lifted. “You’re a very important person, besieged on every side, so I have an idea for tomorrow. While you work on your book for part of the day, I’ll run in to Metaponto to get me some gear. Then we’ll join your group. En route you and I can talk over your father’s business. That way you can please everyone, including me. What do you say?”
She let out a sigh. Already he was reducing her to mush. “I’ll get up early and work until lunch, then we’ll leave for Metaponto. The dive shop will have the gear you need. From there we can head for the dive site and meet up with the others.”
“I’d like to stay out overnight and camp.”
“I would, too. It’s one of my favorite things to do.”
“Good.” His eyes blazed. “I shall look forward to it. I’ll see you at lunch.”
He took off for another run around the tiny island without giving her a chance to say anything else. Alessandra hurried inside the castle, secretly excited to go diving with him. Thoughts of buddying with him left her breathless. The idea that they would protect each other was so appealing she couldn’t wait.
At six the next morning she showered and dressed quickly before heading to the library to work on
