Page 98 of Empire of Seduction

“Sure, it’s because of the food.” I picked up the cannoli. “Let’s start with dessert.”

Sam’s cell buzzed and she answered it. “Hey, Gram. What’s up?” Her eyes grew bigger as her grandmother spoke. “Oh, boy. Okay. I’ll head back in ten or fifteen.” A pause. “No, I only had one glass.” Gram said something back. “Don’t worry, I’ll switch to water. You and Roberto don’t need to worry about me.”

“What is it?” I asked when Sam disconnected.

“She said a big storm is on the way. We’re supposed to get eight inches of snow tonight. Did you hear anything about it?”

“I didn’t check, to be honest. Today has been nuts.”

“Same. We were so busy that I had to skip lunch.”

“Well, let’s eat. Then we’ll get you on the road so you make it home safely.”

We both glanced outside. Two flakes appeared in the wind, then three more. I frowned. Storms could blow in quickly out here and the roads were narrow back to town. “Maybe you should take your food to go.”

Sam got off her stool and grabbed her clothes. “That’s probably a good idea.”

seventeen

. . .

Maggie

The snow started fallinghard around eight-thirty. Dots of thick white flakes obscured the windows as I stared out into the darkness. Sam left about forty-five minutes ago. Shortly after, she texted to say she was safe at home, snuggled under a blanket and watchingBridgertonreruns with her grandmother and Roberto.

So, where was Vito? Was he out driving in this? Nibbling on my thumbnail, I stared at my phone. He hadn’t texted to check in. Should I text him? Or was that too couple-y?

I already touched base with Mikey and Massimo. They shut down the dining room when the snow started and sent everyone home, and Carlo was safe at the B&B after driving the samples to Cornell. Other than Vito, no one else was out in this storm.

But he wasn’t my responsibility. He was a grown-ass man. If he was stupid enough to get caught in this storm, then that was on him. Right?

So why was I staring out of the window and worrying about him like some 1950s housewife? It felt a little too pathetic for my liking.

I went to the kitchen and found my glass of wine. I had nothing to worry about here. We still had power and a backup generator standing by. Plenty of food, thanks to Vito’s stocked fridge and Massimo’s dinner delivery. And I had water and wine. What else did I need to wait out a storm?

Taking my drink over to the new sofa, I sat and turned on the big screen TV. I pulled up a streaming service and navigated to my favorite anime show, then dragged the fluffy throw blanket over me. Was this blanket new? I didn’t remember it, but it seemed crazy that Vito would bother to accessorize.

The episodes blurred one after the other. I paused a few times for breaks, like for more wine and to use the bathroom. I found bags of microwave popcorn and made one. The snow was accumulating outside in drifts, along the door and around the window panes. I checked my messages.

Still nothing.

Cool, cool. I wasn’t worried about him and he clearly wasn’t worried about me.

Returning to the couch, I munched on popcorn and turned the show back on. It took place in Imperial China and there was an apothecary who used her skills to solve mysteries. I was obsessed.

Two episodes later, I looked at my phone again. No texts.

Hmm. It wouldn’t hurt to see if there were any major traffic accidents in the area, would it? I pulled up the news and scrolled, searching for any information I could find. Nope, nothing.

Maybe Maz had heard from his brother. I could keep the conversation casual and hopefully not come across like a psycho stalker.

Everything ok over there?

Dots immediately appeared as he typed his response.

Tell my brother to calm down

I’M FINE

---