Page 5 of Secret Admirer
Their now-married brother Gio seemed like he’d argue the point, his shoulders tense, but he kept quiet.
Nadia's leaving in a pout this morning didn’t matter. He’d find another woman soon enough, in between his business meetings. He always did. He ordered a full breakfast and more coffee from the waiter, as did his brothers. Once the waiter left, Bart said, “The lady I met in Italy, and flew here on our plane? We had a wonderful time and then she just up and left. It's been a while since a woman has stormed out on me.”
The waiter brought their coffees. Gio asked, “Did you do something?”
Now that Gio was married, it seemed his brother wanted to defend all women. He shrugged. “I was getting dressed to bring her to her work party, as I promised, but I was too slow for her.”
Lorenzo laughed. "I can just see the door slamming in your face."
That wasn't quite the way it had happened, but Bart kept his mouth shut. To explain would just open himself up to more teasing.
The waiter delivered their breakfasts and left after ensuring the brothers had everything they needed. Gio said, “Speaking of work parties, I’m happy both of you can come to the American debut later. It’s the first time everyone has been together, and I'm afraid we've given a bad impression regarding the Italian part of the family.”
Bart understood that this was important to Gio--he'd thought they were all getting along. He’d flown to Miami to show his support and now his skin prickled, as if he needed to protect Gio, like he’d done when their father had called Gio useless. “How?”
Gio sat back and said, “Anthony…”
Bart also leaned back, meeting Lorenzo’s gaze. They’d all sworn to their mother that somehow they’d keep Anthony from turning into their father. But they couldn’t let Anthony ruin Gio’s opportunities, either. Lorenzo said, “None of us are Anthony. We’re here to be on your team, Gio. We all swore to Mother, before she died, that we'd remain a family. And we will.”
“Good.” Gio nodded. "Thank you."
Bart refused to let anyone hurt his family. The Italian branch was very tight--nobody else needed to know about their past.
“Working with the American women and combining our styles with my menswear has been interesting, but tonight’s debut with Victoria can make or break our venture,” Gio said.
Which was why he'd come all this way. While he’d met the rest of the Miami and French family on his father’s side, he’d never been interested in getting to know them. Until his brother joined ranks with Victoria, combining their House of Morgan labels. Gio's wife designed shoes for them. So, he’d shake hands and be polite.
He changed the topic to keep things light. “I’ll be there to help you, but these American women are confusing. One minute it’s "let’s go" and the next is "go away." I’ll happily stick to my offices in Rome and the local Italian girls." He'd considered opening an investment office to pursue clean energy in Miami due to the ease of international banking but it wasn't necessary.
Lorenzo added salt and pepper to his eggs. “Miami is starting to grow on me, with its sunshine and technology. From what I’ve seen of the local women, they are beautiful.”
Bart laughed. “Beauty is always welcome in my life, but for now, let’s hope the clean fuel inventors are more stable than the last American woman.”
Gio sipped his coffee. “Well, at least we’re building bridges with Father’s family now.”
Lorenzo picked up his cup as well though he gave a sarcastic laugh as he said, “You mean we’re finding other post-traumatic survivors and forming our own self-help group.”
Bart almost choked on his coffee. Lorenzo hadn’t joked in years--maybe Miami was good for him.
Gio said, “Bart.”
That sounded like a scold. He gathered himself and countered, “Are you saying you loved our father’s opinions and decrees? They only stopped after Aurelia died.”
"No." Gio folded his hands on the table and reached for his coffee, “Do you think the Americans might be right and she’s alive? Father apparently had a habit of taking the daughters away from their mothers.”
“That would be nice to have Aurelia back,” Lorenzo said, blinking quickly. "Our family was never the same with her gone."
Bart finished his dark roast. If Aurelia were to come back from the dead, he'd gladly move to Miami, or wherever she was--but he didn’t put stock in gossip or dreams. He preferred evidence and science. “Miami has a large selection of yachts for sale so I’m going to check them out tomorrow. If I find the right inventors, I will get them set up and then as a reward, I plan on sailing around the world where no one can reach me."
Gio shook his head. “I still think you’ll be bored in a week. You haven’t been without female companionship for longer than a day.”
“I’ll find a local beauty at each port.”
Lorenzo shrugged and said, “Just as I’m sure you’ll find one to bring to the fashion show tonight.”
His brothers didn't enjoy sailing as he did but he gained peace on the water. Lorenzo also didn’t seem to mind staying at Gio’s house with Kiwi, though Bart didn’t need that much family around, which was why he was here at the hotel. If he found one yacht that would work with his specialty fuel so he could test it, he’d work on board as they transported it back to Italy.
Gio left after breakfast to finish setting up, and hours later, Bart and Lorenzo arrived at the fashion show.
