A Facade to Shatter

EPILOGUE

LIA WOKE IN the middle of the night. She sat up with a start, certain she’d heard a cry. It was raining outside, a typical summer storm. A jagged bolt of lightning shot across the sky, followed by a crack of thunder.

The bed beside her was empty, the sheets tossed back. She grappled on the nightstand for the baby monitor, but it was gone. Sighing, she climbed from bed and put on her robe. Then she padded out the door and down the hallway to the nursery.

Zach looked up as she entered. He was sitting in the rocking chair, cradling their son in his arms while the baby cooed and yawned. Zach smiled, and her heart lurched with all the love she felt for the two men in her life.

“I believe it was my turn,” she said tiredly.

“I was awake,” he said, shrugging.

“A dream?” she asked, thinking of the storm and worrying for him.

“I was dreaming, yes,” he said. “But not about the war.”

“You weren’t?”

He looked down at their baby, his sexy mouth curling in a smile. “No. I dreamed I was flying. And then I dreamed I was on a beach with you.”

“What happened then?”

“I could tell you,” he said, slanting a look up at her. “But I’d far rather show you.”

Heat prickled her skin, flooded her core. “I’ll look forward to it,” she said softly.

“Give me a few minutes.” His gaze was on his son again.

Lia pulled a chair next to the rocker and sat down beside him. Zach reached out and took her hand in his, and they sat there with their baby until his little eyes drifted shut. Gently, Zach placed him in his crib—and then he took Lia by the hand and led her back to their bedroom.

Later, as she lay in his arms and drifted off to sleep, she knew she’d gotten everything she ever wanted.

Love. Family. Belonging.

Read on for an exclusive

interview with Lynn Raye Harris!

BEHIND THE SCENES OF

SICILY’S CORRETTI DYNASTY

with Lynn Raye Harris

It’s such a huge world to create—an entire Sicilian dynasty. Did you discuss parts of it with the other writers?

Oh, yes! We started an email loop and discussed where to set the Corretti estates and whether the wedding, which kicks off the whole thing, would be in a chapel or a cathedral, etc. We also discussed character interactions and how they felt about their histories.

How does being part of the continuity differ from when you are writing your own stories?

Well, one of the hardest parts of writing a continuity is finding connection with the characters. When they are your own creation it’s much easier to find that connection than when you are given a brief about them. But it eventually happens, and then you have fun!

What was the biggest challenge? And what did you most enjoy about it?

This time, for me, the biggest challenge was writing an American hero. That’s probably an odd thing to say, since I am an American, but I found Zach far more difficult because of it. Add in his military service, and I really had a difficult time. Not because I don’t know anything about the military—but because I know too much! My husband was in the air force, though he didn’t fly planes, and I’m pretty familiar with military life. It was a challenge to balance that element in the story, probably because I was too concerned with making it correct.

As you wrote your hero and heroine was there anything about them that surprised you?

Zach told me something that surprised me. He tells Lia, too, so you’ll get to see what it is. It’s a very dark thing, and we both ached for him that he’s been living with this guilt and self-loathing.

What was your favorite part of creating the world of Sicily’s most famous dynasty?

The research! Who doesn’t like looking at pictures of Sicily and reading about the culture? Regrettably, my characters don’t spend a lot of time there, but it was still fun!

If you could have given your heroine one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what would it be?

Chin up, babe.

What was your hero’s biggest secret?

I can’t tell! It’s in the book.

What does your hero love most about your heroine?

Her sweetness and strength. She believes in him and that means a lot.

What does your heroine love most about your hero?

He’s honorable and he cares a great deal about doing the right thing.

Which of the Correttis would you most like to meet and why?

Oddly enough, I think I’d like to meet Teresa Corretti! She’s the matriarch who kept the whole thing together when it should have failed long before. She’s a strong woman used to dealing with lots of arrogant men. I imagine she’s the strength behind the family throne, really, though they don’t quite know it.