Page 22 of Unrelenting
It takesevery ounce of strength I possess to walk away and leave Lucia alone and naked in bed. I’ve never been the type to snuggle, but having her in my arms as she slept last night was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
There’s something about being with Lucia that feels right to me. She’s making me act in ways I normally wouldn’t. For her, I’m willing to smooth out my rough edges.
When I get down to the street, I find Benito waiting for me by the curbside.
I told him to meet me here, but thanks to that unexpected interlude with Lucia, I’m ten minutes late.
He doesn’t bitch about it as I get into the passenger seat of his BMW.
My cousin on my mother’s side of the family, Benito dresses like a banker in three-piece pinstripe suits and polished leather shoes, but his job description would technically be enforcer.
The man loves to beat the shit out of people. If they get blood on his suit, he hits them twice as hard.
“Where to?” he asks as he drives away from the apartment building.
“Head out to the vineyard.”
I have business out there today, and I can grab a shower and fresh clothes in the house I bought along with the winery. It sits in the perfect spot on the hill, close to the new visitor complex I had built, but separated by a high wall.
The view of the valley from the back of the house is incredible. I can imagine bringing my family out here someday.
A smile touches my lips as I picture Lucia running about after a couple of toddlers, trying to keep them out of my hair while I work.
I’ll welcome the interruptions, though. Despite what people might think of me, I’m a family man at heart.
Putting that dream aside for a more appropriate time, I turn to Benito. “Any movement on the Ricci property?”
Alberto Ricci owns the land next to the vineyard. There are several large barns on it that I can use for storage. He also owns a large villa that could easily be remodeled to provide accommodation for staff or maybe as a bed and breakfast.
“The old man won’t budge,” Benito says. “He insists it’s not a question of money.”
“Which means there’s something else he wants.”
“That’d be my guess.” Benito blasts the horn at a cyclist who weaves into our path. “You could just wait for him to croak and try dealing with the son. He hasn’t been around for years now. He won’t be interested in the place.”
“He could live another twenty years. I need the property sooner.”
Benito nods. “You want me to take you there now?”
I shake my head. “No, I need to shower first.”
“Why? He doesn’t care if you smell of pussy.”
Anger flares inside me. “Watch what you’re saying.”
Benito throws his head back and laughs. “So it’s true. You’re serious about this woman?”
I narrow my eyes. “What have you heard?”
“Nothing much. Theprincipessasaid you were in love.”
“When did you speak to Olivia?”
“I had breakfast with Damiano. He wants me to train a couple of new recruits.”
“What did you tell him?”
Benito checks his mirror and merges into traffic. “What does anyone tell Damiano? Yes, of course.”
