Men of Power
Yet if Massimo were honest with himself, he had to admit the help wouldn’t curl up with Nicky and play with him the same way she did. Every child deserved that kind of love and attention.
Unfortunately, Julie would be leaving at some point—her relationship with Walton clearly wasn’t as over as she’d made it out. He hadn’t consciously thought about it, but now the prospect of that eventuality alarmed him. For the baby to lose her at any given time would be like losing a second mother.
It had only been ten days, yet already Massimo had grown used to her being there to help him with Nicky, who appeared to adore her. He groaned, haunted by the possibility he’d made a mistake in letting her come to Italy.
In retrospect he shouldn’t have allowed his compassion for her pain to get to him. Those drenched blue eyes half despising him for being named guardian had caught him off guard in the hotel room. That, and her obvious love for the baby.
Normally he didn’t make errors in judgment like this. Being unencumbered by marriage, he’d had the freedom to immerse himself in his archaeological pursuits. That was the way he’d planned it long ago. Even if he was back in Italy, he had every intention of working on the book he’d started in his spare time.
He punched his pillow, but no amount of rearranging made him more comfortable. There wasn’t any way around the fact that Nicky wasn’t the only one who’d developed a bond with Julie. Something had to be done before things went too far.
According to Julie’s watch it was four in the afternoon Bellagio time. She and Nicky had been asleep for hours. Both their clocks were off, but it didn’t matter. He was being the best boy on earth right now!
She’d taken a shower before getting in bed; however, he still needed a bath. “Let’s try the sink, shall we?”
Julie set out a towel and clean diaper, then filled the marble basin halfway.
“Here we go.” She lowered his wiggly body into the warm water. He immediately began kicking. “You love that, don’t you?”
She couldn’t help but wonder if any baby had ever had a bath in surroundings that looked as though a princess lived here. Except for loving parents, Pietra and Massimo had lacked for none of the monetary things of life. History had repeated itself with Nicky.
Julie fought back tears. “As soon as we’ve finished and I’ve given you a bottle, we’ll go exploring.” The sight of the town from the helicopter had been so glorious, she couldn’t wait any longer. After they came back she’d unpack everything and get settled.
Ten minutes later he’d drunk most of his formula and they were both ready to go. She’d dressed in a pair of pleated tan pants and a short-sleeved white top. After arranging her hair in a loose knot, she put on a coat of frosted-pink lipstick, then dressed Nicky. He looked adorable in a little blue play suit with a superhero motif on the bib.
“Now for this new hip sling.”
It was a padded pouch affair in khaki twill to cushion his legs while she walked around with him. After buying some things before leaving Sonoma, the clerk had convinced her to get one.
“They’re the latest rage for tourists with a baby. Easy to pack and don’t take up much room.” Julie figured that until Massimo bought Nicky a stroller, it was perfect.
She left the room and made her way downstairs to the elegant foyer, where she saw one of the maids she’d met earlier.
“Gina? I’m going out for a walk. Please let Lia know.”
“Have you told the signore?”
“No. I haven’t seen him. Is there a problem?”
The last thing she wanted was for Massimo to think she was waiting for him at every turn. Julie had been the one to beg for this job. Though he’d hired her to be Nicky’s nanny, she was never at ease with him.
For her own peace of mind, the less she saw of him the better. It would be disastrous if on top of her secret fear of him, he knew how attracted she was to him.
Gina looked concerned. “He left instructions I should bring Niccolo to him.”
“I’ll do it then. Where is he?”
“No … no …” She spread her hands. “The signore is sleeping.”
Julie wasn’t surprised. She was sure he hadn’t gotten any sleep on the plane. “Then he shouldn’t be disturbed. I’ll be back in an hour. He won’t even know we’ve been gone.”
Gina didn’t seem pleased about the idea, but Julie wasn’t about to sit around until he got up. Waiting made you think. She’d already done too much thinking and looking at Massimo on the plane.
Now that she was in Italy, she planned to keep herself and Nicky so busy Massimo’s anger with her would pass. Since that terrible moment in his hotel room, she didn’t think she’d done anything else to arouse his wrath, but she couldn’t be sure. Nicky had to be her first priority now.
CHAPTER FOUR
ONCE Julie slipped out the door of the villa, she stopped to breathe in the scent of flowers filling the balmy air.
Paradise found. She wondered if Milton had come here.
The villa faced out on the terraced stone stairway leading down to gardens filled with camellias and orange trees. Cypress trees delineating the property stood tall against the vista of Lake Como and the colorful town below.
Massimo had pointed out several famous eighteenth-and nineteenth-century villas to her before they’d landed in the grounds of his villa. It might be smaller, but as far as she was concerned his home stood out on the lower hillside like a jewel in a gem-studded crown.
Where to go first? The delights of the grounds called to her, but she could enjoy them anytime while she lived here. After the long flight, she was anxious to get her bearings along with some much needed exercise.
Opting for the side stairs off the deep porch, she made her way to the courtyard that led to the main road. Almost at the gate, she noticed an open top sports car turn in, the kind Brent would have killed to own. She quickly moved out of its way.
The light-brown-haired man at the wheel pulled over and got out wearing shorts and a tight-fitting body shirt. He was her brother’s height and looked to be about her own age. His hooded brown eyes reminded her of Lazio’s. They swept over her in male admiration.
“Good afternoon, signorina. You have to be Pietra’s sister-in-law, Julie,” he said in excellent English. “I had no idea you were so bellissima.”
“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.” His flirtatious manner reminded her of Brent, not necessarily a good thing. It depended on one’s character.
“Since I couldn’t make it to the funeral, I determined to offer my condolences as soon as possible. How fortunate for me to find you out here with Niccolo. My name is Vigo.”
“Vigo who?”
His mouth turned down in a mock frown. “I can see Massimo didn’t tell you about me.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t tell him I said this, but I’m the nicest Di Rocche in the family.”
Something clicked in her memory. “You must be Sansone’s son.”
His expression brightened. “Si.”
“I haven’t met him yet.”
“I never met your brother. Now that I’ve seen you, I can understand why Pietra ran away with him.”
She could do without his flattery, especially when the mention of Shawn triggered the usual reaction. This time however she was able to prevent her tears from falling. “They were very much in love.”
“Believe it or not, I envied them.” With that comment she couldn’t help but warm to him.
His gaze dropped to the baby sling. By his expression he hadn’t seen anything like it before.
“It does look odd, but Nicky likes it,” Julie explained. “This way he stays right against me.”
He moved to her side to get a better view of the baby, who was still awake. “I would say Niccolo was your bambino except for the eyes. They’re dark like Pietra’s.”
“She was a beauty.”
“Agreed.”
For that remark Julie gave him extra points. “I was just about to take him for a walk into town.”
“Permit me to accompany you.”
She shook her head. “That’s all right.”
“You prefer to be alone? I suffered the heavy traffic all the way from Milano to pay my respects.”
That, plus his crestfallen look, made up her mind for her.
“If you want to.” Massimo had told her to come to him if she felt uncomfortable, but she didn’t. Not with Vigo. “I’m going to play tourist for a while. I’ve never been to Europe. Everything is a new experience.”
He smiled. “I’ve been at university and rarely come to Bellagio. It’s been at least three years. We’ll explore together.”
Vigo turned out to be an entertaining companion. She saw none of the dour traits his uncles exhibited. He bought them ice cream called gelato. After one taste she fell in love with it.
They walked the crowded cobblestone streets and arcaded buildings that gave the town its charm. Used to the hills in San Francisco, she was ready for the steep steps in between the shops. They convinced her a stroller would have been an encumbrance.
Nicky loved being outside. Though not as hot as Sonoma, it was plenty warm. At one point she stopped at a stone bench along the lakeside promenade to give him some water from a bottle she’d packed. He tried to hold the bottle himself and drank thirstily.
Her companion smiled. “Niccolo’s got the right idea. Why don’t we eat dinner at the restaurant we just passed.”
Before she could tell him she had to get Nicky back to the villa, a forbidding male voice said, “Haven’t you got studies, Vigo?”
Julie’s head flew back to confront Massimo’s black look eyeing the three of them intently. Vigo looked startled.
“Buonasera, Massimo. It’s been a long time.” After a tense pause, “I’m sorry about Pietra. I was just telling Julie.”
“Were you indeed,” came the withering comment.
Vigo cleared his throat nervously. “I came to see you, too, but as she was going for a walk, I invited myself along to get better acquainted with Niccolo.” Vigo was putting on a good act, but Julie could tell he was uncomfortable. “I guess I’d better get going.”
The encounter had turned ugly. Julie felt she had to say something. “It was very nice meeting you, Vigo. Thank you for the gelato.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Better call your father on the way to your car,” Massimo rapped out. “He phoned a while ago, no doubt looking for you.”
Vigo looked less than thrilled. He gave him a nod before walking off.
Julie lowered her head because she hadn’t seen this side of Massimo since she’d confronted him at the hotel. This was the side she’d been fearing would resurface.
His tone, his whole demeanor bordered on ice. Nicky must have sensed the tension because he’d stopped drinking.
“I’ll burp him,” Massimo declared. In a lightning move he took the baby from her and put him against his broad shoulder. The next thing she knew he threw up his water and part of his earlier formula.
“Oh, no!” she cried.
It ran all over the open-necked blue sport shirt that complemented Massimo’s burnished complexion. Maybe Nicky’s tummy upset frightened him because he started crying so hard, people were looking at them as if they’d done something terrible to him.
“Here.” Julie pulled out a cloth and would have wiped off his shoulder, but he told her to put it back. “We need to get him to the villa fast. He looks flushed.”
She put her hand on the baby’s forehead. He definitely felt feverish. Massimo was right. This wasn’t like Nicky.
Riddled with guilt, she gathered the sling, then had to run to keep up with him. “I must have kept him out too long, but it doesn’t feel that hot.”
“Maybe it’s the change in climate.” He pulled the cell phone from his rear pocket without missing a stride. “I’ll call Lia to send for Pietra’s physician. She’ll have Dr. Brazzi’s number.”
Following his brief conversation spoken in rapid Italian, they accomplished the walk in record time with Nicky crying all the way. When she noticed Vigo’s car was gone, she shivered in relief.
Massimo took the stairs two at a time to the nursery. After changing the baby’s diaper, he walked the floor with him whispering endearments like any anxious, devoted father. She saw no hesitation in his movements. No second-guessing. He did what came instinctively.
Minutes later Nicky laid his golden head against Massimo’s neck. His cries had become whimpers. In front of her eyes Julie watched them bond.
A lump swelled in her throat to see his little body nestle closer to his uncle, whose wavy black hair provided such a contrast. Nicky had just discovered security in a pair of masculine arms other than his father’s.
Soon Julie heard sounds behind her. When she turned, she discovered Lia had come in the room with a short, middle-aged woman carrying a doctor’s bag. She greeted Massimo warmly, then turned to Julie. After introductions were made, she took the baby from him. Immediately he started crying again.
Julie moved to the end of the crib to watch her take his vital signs. Her heart pounded in fear that something serious might be wrong. Massimo stood next to the doctor, his striking features taut with concern.
While the doctor listened to his lungs, Massimo flashed Julie a glance she didn’t dare examine too closely. He’d been angry earlier. Now this crisis.
“Several things could be responsible for his spike in temperature,” the doctor said, breaking in on Julie’s torturous thoughts. “He could be teething early or he could be coming down with a summer cold. There’s a third possibility.
“Because his fever came on so fast, he could be developing a condition called rosiola, which is very common with infants. They’re grumpy and off their food for a day or two. Watch for a rash.”
“He has one already,” Massimo said before Julie could.
“No, no. This one will cover his trunk and face. But whatever is wrong, it’s not serious.”
“Thank heaven,” Julie cried. Again Massimo eyed her; however, this time relief dominated his expression.
“In all three instances, the treatment is the same. Give him the liquid baby ibuprofen.”
“I brought what Pietra used for him.”
“Good. Follow the directions. Keep him hydrated. If he doesn’t want his formula, coax him first with a little sugar water. It’s an old trick, but it works better than a lot of the products on the market.”
She closed her bag. “Call me if you have any questions.”
“We will,” Massimo asserted.
Julie shook her hand. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“My pleasure. Pietra was a lovely woman. He’s a lovely baby. What a tragedy his parents are gone. He’s going to need all the love you can give him. That’ll get him better in a hurry.”
Tears glazed Julie’s eyes. “We know.”
While Massimo walked her out of the room, Julie reached for Nicky. “I’m going to give you some medicine, then warm you another bottle of formula. We’ll take it slowly until you’re all better.”
Three days later the rash came, signifying that the worst of the rosiola was over. Massimo had taken turns with her getting up with him in the night. During the daylight hours they’d continued to spell each other off.
She’d thought he might leave for Milan to start working, but he stayed home with her. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought he was the father.
Thankfully Nicky was taking his formula again. On the fifth day she walked in just as he was making noises to get attention.
“Good morning, you cute little thing.” Julie pulled the baby from his crib to give him a bath.
In a minute she’d filled the sink with warm water and had removed his sleeper and wet diaper. “You don’t have any idea how adorable you are. Your auntie loves you so much.” Before she picked him up, she couldn’t resist kissing his little cheek and neck.
“This looks fun. Can anyone join in?” sounded a familiar male voice full of life.
Massimo—His vital presence behind her set her pulse tripping. He must have just come from the shower. She could smell the soap he’d used. At a glance she saw he was casually dressed in shorts and a T-shirt like she was wearing.
“Wh-why don’t you bathe him,” she said on impulse. “He’d love it, wouldn’t you, Nicky?”
“If you trust me. This will be another of many firsts,” sounded the deep-timbred voice.
Their eyes met briefly before she looked away.
“Through trial and error I’ve discovered you really can’t do it wrong. This is his favorite part of the day. Just lower him gently into the water.”
With painstaking care Massimo followed her advice. Soon the bathroom rang with his rich laughter as Nicky kicked and splashed, soaking them both. He got so worked up, every inch of his body shook with excitement. The little noises he made sounded like he was trying to talk.
Julie poured a drop of baby shampoo on his head. Massimo rubbed it in, making a lather before carefully rinsing off the bubbles. They worked in harmony. After she dried Nicky off, he applied the baby powder and fastened a clean diaper. Then she put him in a little stretchy suit.
“That’s our big boy,” she said without thinking. Hopefully Massimo understood what she meant. “I-if you’ll hold him, I’ll clean his ears.” She reached for a cotton swab. “This is the only part he doesn’t like.”
While the baby fought her, she felt Massimo’s low chuckle to the marrow of her bones. “There!” She kissed the top of his head. “We’re all done.”
Massimo lifted him in the air. All the way to the bedroom he kissed his tummy the way Shawn used to do. The baby was all smiles. Julie could tell he loved his uncle’s attention.
She had to clear her throat to remove the lump. “I’ll get his bottle.”
“I already asked Gina to bring it along with our breakfast,” he explained.
He thought of everything, yet any more togetherness and it was going to feel as if they were a family, which they were in a sense. But they really weren’t!
This was borne out when the maid, who was probably in her early twenties, came in with a tray and a bottle. Julie noticed right away how the other woman’s curious gaze darted back and forth between her and Massimo before she left the nursery.
If you didn’t know better, you could misconstrue what was going on. A younger nanny in residence with a husband and wife was one thing, but this was a bachelor’s domicile.
Ages ago Pietra had made it clear that her brother would never marry. She hadn’t explained why, and Julie hadn’t pried because at that point in time she hadn’t met Massimo and wasn’t consumed by curiosity the way she was now.
A man like him would never marry a woman unless it was his choice, so whatever had put him off the institution, the reason went much deeper than his desire to thwart his uncle. And she mustn’t forget that getting involved with Massimo would be a mistake.
Not wanting to break up the happy twosome, Julie reached for the bottle. “You’d better be the one to feed him. Nicky’s so engrossed with you, I think I’m jealous again.” She’d said it with a smile.
But when she handed it to him, his startling black gaze pinned hers. “If this were a competition, I would have been dead in the water long before now. For someone who isn’t a mother, you could fool me.”
Coming from Massimo, it was the supreme compliment. “Nicky’s easy to love. Do you see a lot of Pietra in him?”
“Some. Oddly enough I see more of you.”
Her heart did a kick. “It’s the blond hair.”
“It’s something more. An expression he gets when he wants something. I’ve seen that same look on your face.”
“Hunger pains you mean?”
He burst into laughter, transforming him into the most handsome man she’d ever seen or known. Terrified of her feelings, which were growing more and more intense, she reached for the thermometer to take Nicky’s temperature.
“It’s still normal.”
“Better yet, his rash is gone. Mine took considerably longer to go away.”
Her head swung around in his direction. “I don’t understand.”
“At the time Nicky was born, I was bitten by a mosquito that gave me dengue fever.”
The breath froze in her lungs. It sounded hideous whatever it was. “Wh-what did it do to you?”
“Laid me up for months, gave me a rash. Luckily it wasn’t the hemorrhagic type.”
She moaned. “Were you in a hospital all that time?”
“Not all, no.”
When she recalled all the terrible things she’d said to him, she was mortified. Her fingers curled so tightly around the crib railing, it cut off the blood supply.
“How come you didn’t tell Pietra?” she whispered.
“Because she was so happy with their new baby. I knew my news would worry them unnecessarily. After explaining that the group needed me, I promised to spend the entire month of September with them so I could get to know my nephew.”
A promise he would end up keeping for a lifetime.
Moistening her lips nervously she said, “Is dengue fever like malaria?”
“You mean does it keep coming back?”
She nodded.
“Not in my case.”
Thank God.
“Happily Nicky has recovered from his rosiola much faster, and is all better now. That’s one crisis averted.”
One?
Though his words revealed satisfaction, his eyes held a disturbing glint. She noticed he rubbed the back of his neck in what seemed like a weary gesture. But the action indicated there was something else on his mind.
“Now that he’s asleep, we need to talk.”
Julie knew what was coming. It had only been a matter of time. “I-if you’re upset with me for taking him out the other day without checking with you first, I promise it won’t happen again.”
“I had no problem with your leaving the villa,” he replied calmly. “You told Gina. That was the important thing.”
“Yes, but she wanted to wake you and I told her not to. You looked so exhausted before you went to bed, I didn’t want anything to disturb you.”
“I appreciate your concern.”
His gaze wandered over her upturned features, but she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. It made her nervous, causing her mind to jump to the other possibility that might have upset him.
“In case you were wondering, Vigo invited himself along.”
“It would be shocking if he hadn’t,” came the mocking aside.
Not knowing how to take that remark, she looked away, rubbing her damp palms against the sides of her jeans.
“I know you told me to come to you if anyone in your family made me nervous, but he seemed harmless. I was afraid saying no to him would come off sounding rude.”
After a pause he asked something totally unexpected. “Did you enjoy his company?”
“He was entertaining.”
“What did you discuss?”
She eyed him warily. “He told me about his life at university. Massimo—what’s wrong?”
“Seeing the two of you together reminded me that your decision to help take care of Nicky is depriving you of a full life.”
“Nicky is my life—” she blurted out.
He shifted his weight, making her aware of his compelling masculinity. “I agree he’s the focus right now, but in another week he’ll be used to his home here. You’ll be able to leave.”
Leave?
So he had told Dante she was only here for a visit.
Heat swarmed her cheeks. She was too angry for tears. Was this how he’d planned to exact his revenge?
“I realize we didn’t have a definite time in mind when you no longer needed my help, but I was thinking a year at least—”
“That’s out of the question.” He was sounding like her mother.
“Two or three weeks with him is no time at all!”
“It’s enough to get him over this first hump. Any more time will only make the separation harder for … everyone.”
Julie had an idea the beautiful woman who’d met Massimo at the airport was the reason for this ultimatum. Seraphina must have told him he didn’t need a nanny for Nicky, not when she was there for him in any capacity he wanted.