My phone alerted me to a text, and I quickly pulled it free, hoping that someone had come to my aid.
Mariano: I need to make a house call. I’ll call you later with the details.
Damn, the stars were not in my favor tonight.
Elio: Understood.
“Oh, yeah.” Niccola came up behind me and leaned in to read my text. “He’s wide open for dinner.” He walked behind Anna and gave me a shit-eating grin.
“Really?” She beamed, and when she looked away, I whipped a lime at his head.
“Looks that way.” I ducked as he sent it back, and she didn’t even react to the fact that a lime was being tossed around the kitchen.
Dinner was in full swing with all of the kitchen staff and Francesco laughing and enjoying Mama’s food.Arrivederci Romaby Jack Jezzro played in the background as dessert was handed down the line, and the wine never stopped flowing.
Thanks to my papa chatting with Anna, I was able to slip out, but not before I gave Mama a kiss thanking her for a lovely meal.
“Are you sure you want to go? The night’s still young.”
“That’s my fear.” I shifted my gaze over to Anna. She would no doubt be expecting something from me at some point through the evening.
“She’s really quite lovely, dear.” As she said the words, I noted her shoulders slumped slightly.
“She is, Mama, but lovely doesn’t mean she’s for me.”
“Thank you for staying.” She kissed my cheek, and I gave her a hug then threw my father a wave as I left.
I twirled my car keys in relief as I headed outside. I thanked the doorman for opening the door to my matte black Maserati Ghibli. The cool leather hugged me as I ran my hand over the wheel. I tried hard to push back the memory that instantly swept through my mind. I must have been more tired than I thought because I closed my eyes and gave in to the pain that flooded my senses for a moment. It was all I had left.
“You good, sir?” The doorman tapped on my window.
I gave a curt nod, shook my head clear, then started the engine. The smooth sound of it calmed me as it moved down the long driveway and traveled the short distance to my villa. It was only minutes away and on the same land as my parents’. When we moved here, we made sure to all stay close. Until we had total control of our product and people, we were still at risk.
The lights turned on automatically when I opened the door. I made my way inside and headed down the hallway to the kitchen, shrugging off my jacket as I went. I draped it over the back of the chair then removed my watch and placed it on the island. The warm glow from beneath the cabinets gave me just enough light to move about to fix a stronger than normal nightcap.
I sent a quick text off to Mariano.
Elio: How was your visit?
The doorbell rang, and I glanced at the time, wondering who it could be. Skipping the usual camera check, I rubbed my tired neck and opened the door to find Anna looking nervous and unsure.
“I didn’t get to say goodbye earlier, and I wanted to.” She fiddled with her hands. “Well, good night.”
“Night.” I smiled to be polite and went to close the door when she spoke again.
“Elio?”
“Yeah.”
“Is there any chance I could come in?”
I pressed my lips together as I chose my words carefully.
“Anna, you’re a sweet woman who I know will find someone great someday. But I’m not the one.”
“I’m not always sweet.” She tried again.
Ugh, desperate women were never my thing. I knew her father was important to mine, so I tried my hardest to be kind.