The girl said nothing, her silence deliberate as she held his gaze without flinching. His jaw tensed. Then, without warning, he seized her finger in a harsh grip. She braced herself for the sting of pain but it never came. He stopped abruptly, his head snapping toward the path behind them.

A flicker of light danced in his eyes. His scowl transformed into a bright grin.

"Giuditta!" he called out loudly.

Azzurra’s gaze followed his line of sight until it landed on a stunning woman in a ...