“I think I’m missing some story holes.”
“Okay, here’s what I know.”
Wyatt stared blankly at me while he digested my family update. It was a lot, which only led to more questions, but at least he spent time trying to figure it all out.
“That’s a lot.”
“Yup.” I shimmied down on the couch with a yawn.
“Then he called me and left with the paper that had the address you wrote on it.”
“Yup.”
“He’s so sexy!” He leaned back and covered his face.
“What?”
“He’s all dark and brooding. Come on, Sienna, isn’t there a part of you that finds it a little hot?” I rolled my eyes and screamed into a pillow. “Oh, my God, you two are having brooding sex, aren’t you?” He ripped the pillow from my hold and saw my flushed face. “You bitch!” He laughed. “I’ve never been more jealous.”
“Jealous? Weren’t you in a sea of army men a bit ago?”
“Oh, yes, every gay man’s wet dream.” He flopped backward with a sigh. “Thank you for reminding me.”
“While you relive your memories, tell me about the case, because I’m going to lose my job and will have to live through you from now on.”
“Lose your job?” He reached for his bag and pulled out his laptop. “As far as Georgio is concerned, you’re still working.” He pointed to my name under his on the last article he submitted.
“Really?” I beamed and felt a little weight leave my shoulders. “You did that for me? Thank you! But if this is how it’s going to be, I want—no,” I stopped myself, “need to do something. I’ll take over writing the articles while you do all the fun stuff.”
“Well, I mean, if you insist!” He leaned over and hugged me, and I wiggled to snuggle in. “I’ve missed you.”
“You have no idea how much I needed this.”
The night was warm as Oscar filled me in about Sienna. He told me one of Elio’s men had come and gathered up her belongings. I only hoped our chat had been enough and that she was going to pull away from him.
“What, exactly, did you gain by telling her about those photos?” Ugo took a seat on the patio railing while I watched a family unload their suitcase from their minivan.
“Everything.” I tapped my lips as I slipped into a memory.
Mama handed me two bags then collected the rest from the store counter. Papa paid the bill, and we headed out to the sidewalk to discuss our weekend plans.
“I’m thinking a barbeque with sweet potatoes and corn smothered in Papa’s special honey sauce,” I said as I rubbed my grumbling stomach at the idea of a homecooked meal.
“I think that can be arranged, but I will need to stop in at the office to make some calls first.”
“Papa, you know when you get to work, you—”
He stopped walking as he remembered something. “Darn it, I forgot my wallet in the store.”
“Of course, you did.” Mama laughed and motioned for me to wait. I turned and walked a few steps as I heard my name called.
“Elenora?” Francesco had rounded the corner and stopped short as he saw my parents, and his eyes widened. It took a hair of a second to understand why.
“Oh.” I nearly jumped as Piero Capri came up behind him. I’d never met him before, but I knew who he was and knew enough to be polite. I glanced over my shoulder to see my parents’ backs were turned as Papa patted his pockets.
“E,” Francesco used my nickname, I was sure to keep a little distance between his personal life and work life, “this is Piero Capri. Piero, this is E, a friend of mine.”
“Nice to meet you.” He extended a hand, and I took it feeling a little ill. He was powerful looking in his expensive black and white suit. Even his cufflinks had an engraved C in the center. He seemed preoccupied and held back a moment as one of his men whispered something in his ear. Then he turned with a smile and made an effort to be nice. “How are you enjoying your day?”