Le Logge del Vignola restaurant was insanely busy. Mariano explained he knew the owner, and whenever he dined there, he got the best table. Perks of the oil business, I guessed.
“I noticed you were packing this morning.” Mariano leaned back as the waiter poured his wine. I couldn’t help but notice the waiter seemed a little nervous. “What’s with the bags?”
“Well, um,” I fumbled on my words, “I figured since I’m not writing your story, I should get back to my life and my job.”
“Oh.” He checked his phone that was glued to his hand then rubbed his chin. “But can’t you do your job from anywhere?”
“Yes, but I don’t have a story that keeps me here, and you’ve been kind enough letting me stay with you, but—”
“What if I gave you one?” he interrupted.
“Mariano, I don’t want to step—”
“Not my story, but a different one?”
I tapped my fingers on the tablecloth as I thought.
“Look.” He quickly pulled my attention back to him. “I’m sorry the first idea didn’t work out. I really think Piero got the wrong impression of what I wanted to share with you.” He paused then glanced at the server who was talking with the kitchen staff. “Have you ever heard of the Santoro Brothers?”
“I believe they were two brothers who executed a family in the south.”
“That’s correct, but do you know any more about them?”
“Not really. My projects are not often crime related.”
“What if I agreed to set up an exclusive interview?”
“Impossible.” I lowered my voice as the plate of Il Gran Fritto Toscano was placed delicately in the center of the table. I waited until I knew no one could hear. “From what I do remember about them, after they massacred that family, they were never heard from again.”
“Huh.” He leaned forward and helped himself. Leaving me to wonder what he really knew.
“I call your bluff.” I waited to see what he’d say while I shifted in my seat.
“Would you be able to stay if I gave you such an opportunity? I know the guy who helps them find their people. He’s nice, friendly, he just knows how to find people.” He lifted an eyebrow as though there was a lot more to say. “Seems to me you also spend a good part of your life looking for missing pieces, so perhaps he can help.”
I stared over his shoulder and studied the wine bottles tucked up along the ceiling in the corner. It was spectacular here, and there was a part of me that wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Elio yet. As uncomfortable as it was staying at Mariano’s house, it wasn’t lost on me that he wanted more from us than I did. They were both so different for being best friends.
I knew this could be something huge. I wasn’t stupid. I knew these guys were tangled up in something dark, but that could also work in my favor. Journalists dreamed of moments like these, and here I was staring at another big break, and since the other story had fizzled out...
“Sienna.” Mariano broke through my thoughts and covered my hand with his. “You have my word there is no danger. This man always kept his identity hidden from the brothers. They simply spoke over the phone, and that was it. I want you to stay.” He paused a moment. “Of course, I’ll go with you to the interview.”
My nerves flickered, telling me to tread carefully. I’d been living with that feeling for so long now perhaps it was time to relax a bit and take a little risk to see what was beyond that.
“Okay.” I nodded, knowing I had been putting off that call to Georgio, but if I could pull this story off for him instead, it would blow his mind.
“Really?”
“Yes, but, Mariano, I need you to understand I’m not looking for a relationship with you. If you want to get to know one another as friends, I’m okay with that.” I held up a hand when I saw his eyes flash with excitement. “But that’s where it ends.” I waved between us. “You should know there is someone else in my life who I apparently still have feelings for.”
“I figured that, and it’s okay, because a little more time with me and you’ll see what a great man I am.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just remember there is someone else.”
“A little competition never stopped me before.” He winked, and we went back to enjoying our evening.
With the air cleared with Mariano and a new story to pursue, I felt all-around better than I did two days ago before my dinner out with him. It took a bit of convincing, but Georgio came around to the new story idea. He was upset over losing the Ricco Oil story, but his disappointment evaporated once he heard me out. He told me to take my time but that he wanted an outline before the end of tomorrow.
I woke early and went for a walk through the sunflower fields with my Mac. Mariano had given me some articles to research on the Santoro brothers, and I hadn’t meant to wander quite as far as I did, but it was a wonderful place to let your mind go.