I think about my grandfather, and his funeral. I then remember the family cemetery behind our castle.
I make a mental note to visit it and have a few words with him.
Meanwhile, I have to get to the villa, and I have a bottle of Campari in the back. Campari is one of the many things I still love about Italy.
They are spectacular iced with a sunset.
As I pull onto the small coastal road to drive to the villa, my eyes pop. A red sports car is in front of me, and it’s on the wrong side of the darned road!
I slam the breaks, but it’s too late.
5
RAVEN
My universe shakes, and I’m thrown around in the small car. After the violent shock ends, I breathe and open my eyes. Steam spews from the car engine, and I reach for my stinging forehead.
I wince; a lump is forming on it already. As I look down, I notice my side door is dented, and my leg has been hit. It aches, and I inhale to try to work things out. It’s hard.
A man climbs from a Range Rover in front of me, and he runs around the side. My ears are ringing, and the handsome guy pulls my door open.
As he stares down at me, he crouches and talks, his face serious. His eyes are a vivid green and they are almost mesmerizing. I’m slow to understand, then he lifts my chin delicately. He then speaks in English.
“Madam, are you hurt?”
“What?”
“Are you hurt?”
“What happened?”
“It appears you were… Anyway…” he says, looking up the road to make sure we’re safe. A light rain has started, and the energy has shifted.
“I’m staying at the villa over there,” he says. “We should get you off the road. May I help you?”
I nod, confused. As I go to take off my seat belt, I realize I’m not wearing one.
“Oops.”
I go to stand as the stranger rises to check no other cars are coming. I slip in the dirt as my leg fails, and I fall fast. The stranger helps me up, but I stagger in the mud, some now covering me.
“May I lift you?”
I nod, and the stranger easily takes me in his arms. I double blink, and I see him closeup.
“Wow, I mean, hi.”
I try not to look at the Italian, but it’s hard. He has to be around six two. He has broad shoulders, and his emerald-green eyes and jawline are gorgeous. He also has an aristocratic face and a Roman nose. It’s just a shame he’s so angry and pissed.
As he carries me towards a hotel villa on the water, I see horses and vineyards in the distance. The place really is spectacular.
“I’m staying here, at least you’ll be off the road. I’ll take you inside for safety.” He walks us towards the villa on the water, and I try not to stare into his eyes.
“My name is Dante. We should call the police and report the accident.”
“Please, no,” I say before realizing. “No medical insurance.”
The arrogant Italian scowls even more as we head through the villa gardens and past roses. I see a grand castle above the bay, and it’s stylish and gorgeous like him.
