Page 29 of Empire of Seduction

“No. They’re short-staffed and need everyone there.” Michael dropped his head into his hands. “Fuck my life.”

I stared out the large glass windows out at the vineyards beyond, knowing what I had to do. I didn’t like it. Enzo would hate it. But what choice did I have?

Madre di dio.

Lifting my mobile, I found the correct encrypted message thread and typed:

Get your ass on a plane. I need you

A second later my brother replied.

CHE CAZZO?

I need a chef

TODAY

Dots appeared as he typed his reply. Then they disappeared. My mobile buzzed a second later. “Pronto.”

I could hear waves in the background, wind in the phone speaker. Was he at the beach? Massimo’s voice filled my ear. “I don’t need some bullshit pity job, Vito. If I wanted that, I’d go work for Enzo again.”

“It’s not bullshit and it’s not pity. I own a winery. They need a chef.”

“You own a winery? Why did no one tell me?”

“Maybe if you didn’t hang up on me, I would have told you earlier.”

The silence stretched. “Where is this winery?”

“New York.” When he didn’t immediately reply, I said, “Maz, you wanted a restaurant. I’m giving you a restaurant.”

“In a winery.”

“I know it isn’t ideal. But it would be yours for however long you like.”

“What happened to the old chef?”

“I fired him ten minutes ago. Found him trying to score pills off a biker behind the kitchen.”

“Fuck me. I hope you beat the shit out of that biker.”

I stared down at my torn and bruised knuckles. “Of course I did.”

He chuckled softly. “I fucking miss you, fratello.”

“Then come here. I need you, and it would be nice to spend time together again.” When he hesitated, I added, “Maz, please do me this favor.”

“Okay. Will you send your jet?”

“That will take too long. Fly commercial, stronzo.”

“Only if you buy my ticket—first class.”

I’d expected as much. I checked my watch. “How quickly can you leave Roma?”

“I’m at the beach, so I’m not far from the airport.”

“Good. I’ll have one of the boys call you with flight details. See you in a bit.” I disconnected, texted Gaetano to handle the flight, and put my mobile down. “My brother will be here tonight.”

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