“Put your money where your mouth is.” Massimo teases. “I can get us a field in a heartbeat.”
“Mass, behave,” Danny says, rubbing her belly.
“He started it. It could pay for a whole second honeymoon.” Massimo says easily.
“You’re pretty damn confident.” Gunner points at him. “We could make this interesting. We do six shots before we play, and anytime someone scores, the other drinks. Winner takes all.”
Massimo chuckles, and I shake my head. I would love to watch Gunner get schooled, especially since he’d probably laugh about it the whole time. Massimo and Gunner set it up, despite Roman’s disapproving stare.
Sophia’s half asleep on my shoulder. I can understand that. It’s been a big day. An exhausting day, especially considering we haven’t had a real break since coming here. It’s been go, go, go, and I’m not sure how any of us are still on our feet and fully conscious.
When we get back to the villa, I nudge Sophia, and she looks around before wiping the drool from her chin. She blinks quickly. “We’re back?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Massimo says before getting out of the car.
The married couple rushes away after a few whispered words from Danny, and Roman chuckles. All of us know what they’re about to get into. Holden stretches. “Dinner?”
“Of course.”
Roman goes off to see about that, and Holden takes a seat, stretching out his leg. Gunner groans. “I need to take a siesta.”
“Wrong country,” I laugh.
“You understood it, so it’s fine.” He chuckles. “See you guys at dinner.”
Sophia eyes the stairs and nods. “That sounds good. A little nap.”
We go our separate ways and I help get everything for dinner out. I know that Roman’s family won’t let me help much more than that, but it feels wrong to just accept their kindness. Holden looks over the spread and shakes his head.
“I’m going to end up back in the gym with you after this trip.” He pats his still flat stomach.
“Always happy to have you. Maybe you can show off that upper body work.” I pat his back.
He grins. “You know … we haven’t been to the range in a while. Might be a way to get Miles out of work.”
“That’s a great idea.”
I check my phone and see that he’s looked at the photos I sent of Sophie. All he’s asked is that we keep her safe. An easy task considering she stays close. I offer up a trip to the range and he spends a bit typing, saying he’d be more than happy to go for a guys day.
Something that’s long overdue.
I nod to Holden. “He’s in.”
“Great!” He nods. “About time we all have some fun.”
I wonder if Holden will be okay with that much gunfire, but he seems to be coming out of his shell more. I’d love to be able to go to fundraisers with him, to see him talk with clients.
Dinner is easy. We talk about our favorite wines, what we enjoyed most about the day, and all of us happily accept the seconds that Roman’s grandmother offers. He thanks her for us and kisses her wrinkly cheek.
Soon enough, we’re ready for bed. I see Gunner smoking a cigar and join him. He slips me one with a smile. “What did you think about today?”
“Not really my cup of tea.” I say. “Glass of wine.”
“Yeah. We should go to Scotland. Imagine those tours. So much liquor just waiting for us.” He grins. “All that history for you.”
I chuckle and nod. “That would be a trip we wouldn’t remember.”
“That’s what cameras are for.” He nudges me.
We smoke together, looking over the town. It’s past nine o’clock and the streets are still bustling. It reminds me of New York. Less hectic, sure, but open late, plenty of people, a lot going on.
It’s a nicer New York, slower, more at ease. “Do you think we’ll ever go international?”
“I don’t know. That’s a big leap from having two locations.”
“Two locations completely across the U.S.” I remind.
Gunner seems to consider that. “I think we’d have to be a bit more established. A location in Vegas, California, maybe Chicago. It would take a lot of time. I don’t know if we’d see it.”
“Always pragmatic with business?”
“It’s the only way I know how to be.” Gunner shrugs.
He glances up the stairs. “I’m buzzing, totally awake. I’m not quite sure what to do with myself.”
“We could go out.” I shrug. “Maybe get some things to surprise Roman’s grandmother for all she’s done.”
“Sophia’s sweetness is starting to rub off on you.” He chuckles. “But yeah. Let’s do it; we can get some snacks too. I’m starving by the time I get to bed.”
“You’re always hungry.”
“My liver needs some help.” Gunner chuckles.
We walk along the streets fearlessly. The markets are still open, which means Gunner gets no less than three beers, and we also find some sweets and food for him. Once he’s taken care of, I try to figure out what a nice gift would be. If it’s too much, I’m sure she won’t take it.
I see a few things we could do – replace some of the pasta and what not that we’ve eaten up, a nice scarf that I’m more than happy to pay the extravagant price for, and a painting that stirs me. It’s a gorgeous rendition of a vineyard in an impressionist style.
“The more you stare, the more you see,” Gunner says, standing next to me. “At least, that’s what I hear.”
“Do you think she’d like it?” I’m not sure if I’m talking about Sophie or Roman’s grandmother. I feel like Sophie deserves something after this trip, this leap of faith traveling with us, staying longer, joining us on every adventure.
“Yeah. It might bring some color to the house. There’s not a lot of art there.” Gunner leans his head to the side. “Why not. It’s not like she can’t regift it.”
I chuckle and nudge him. We take it and head back to the villa. I’m pleased there’s not a bunch of people stalking the streets. Everyone out here seems to be doing something rather than lying in wait for prey.
Gunner glances around anyway, his eyes sharp. The streetlights help illuminate most of the street, but with all the alleyways, all the shadowy spots, I know he’s looking for trouble just like I am.
When we get back to the villa I help Gunner bring all the bags in. He nods and heads up to bed. “Let’s give her everything in the morning – run it by Roman first. I don’t know if there’s anything she’d object to.”
“Good idea.” I glance at him before heading into my own room. “Get some rest.”
“Pssh. I’m not old enough to need a full eight hours yet. Drunk or not.” He teases. “See you in the morning.”
But there’s an itching under my skin when I pass Sophia’s door and see the light’s off. I’m sure she just needed an early night after all the excitement. That’s all. But the growing worry in my stomach doesn’t agree.