Page 147 of Empire of Seduction

I withdrew the papers and began reading. The words formed sentences, but I couldn’t believe it. My shocked gaze met my brother’s nervous expression. “What?” Mikey asked. “What is it?”

I couldn’t answer. I handed over the stack instead.

“Why?” I wheezed, studying Paloma.

“He’s giving us the winery back?” Mikey’s voice rose dramatically as he read. “And paying us for damages? Holy shit!”

I should be happy at this news. So, why did I feel numb? “Why?” I asked her again.

“Michael, bello.” Paloma reached over and touched my brother’s arm. “Come with me. My brother wishes to chat with your sister.”

Mikey looked unsure, his head swiveling between the D’Agostinos and me. “Sure. Mags, is that okay?

I couldn’t speak. My head was spinning and my heart squeezed like it was trying to collapse in on itself.

Vito was done with me. For good.

I thought this was what I wanted. But this felt so final. So cold and unemotional. I hadn’t expected to be cut loose, to never see or hear from him again. And he hadn’t even told me himself. He sent his siblings to break the news. A fresh wave of agony ripped my insides apart. I cleared my throat as I fought tears.

“Maggie,” my brother said. “Tell me why you look like someone died.”

“Because,” Paloma answered softly, her gaze studying my face carefully. “She has just realized what this means.”

“It means we’re free,” Mikey said, then leaned over to see me better. “Right?”

“Of course.” I shook myself. I could feel sad later. “Right. This is very generous of him.”

Paloma stood and squeezed my brother’s shoulder. “Michael, come along.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ll, uh, just be in the office, Mags.”

I nodded, but my eyes never left Enzo’s piercing stare as Mikey left the tasting room with Paloma. I didn’t know what tosay. I should be jumping for joy. Vito was out of my life for good, we owned the winery again . . . So, why wasn’t I celebrating?

Enzo folded his hands on the table. “Has he told you about me?”

Taking a deep breath, I shrugged. “A bit, yes. Massimo said I would hate you.”

That caused the older man to throw his head back and laugh. I exhaled in relief. Okay, a human emotion. And he didn’t look so scary when he was laughing. “Maz would say something like this. I will give him shit in a minute. First, I wish to ask you a very important question.”

The silence stretched and I waited. When he didn’t speak, I blurted, “Which is?”

“Do you have any idea of what you’ve thrown away?”

My upper lip curled. “Let me guess. This is about money again. Well, I don’t want his penthouse or his jet or his stupid diamonds.”

Enzo exhaled heavily. “The two of you, you are both very stupid.”

More insults. Of course. This family really knew how to treat people. “Well, thanks for that. And now that your errand is done, you can go back to wherever it is you came from.”

He cocked his head. “You are not scared of me.”

“Is there a reason I should be?”

“Most people are.”

“I’m not most people. And I’d really love it if you finished whatever it is you need to say, then get off my property.”

He tapped his fingers on the wooden table. I noticed one finger was missing the tip, like it had been chopped off at the first knuckle. Yikes.

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