Page 58 of Unrelenting
“I can’t guarantee my business will never touch you, Lucia. With the best will in the world, I can’t control everything.”
He has a point. I find myself shifting the goalposts for this man yet again. “Just promise you’ll do your best.”
He smiles, the hardness in his eyes disappearing. “Okay, that I can do.”
”Good.” I don’t want to dwell on this any longer. “Now let’s just enjoy our breakfast and this wonderful view.”
SEVENTEEN
Lorenzo
I’ve donemany things in my life I wish I hadn’t and others I’m immensely proud of. Resurrecting the fortunes of Casa di Lupo falls into the latter category.
When I bought the place from Sergio Alvize two years ago, Damiano thought I’d lost my mind. Though the vines were still producing the highest quality grapes, everything else had gone to shit. The production facilities were outdated, the warehouses had leaking roofs, and the owner’s house was almost uninhabitable.
Add to that the fact I knew little about wine, and it seemed like I was making a huge mistake.
None of the issues put me off. Though I own a stake in my family’s business and earn a shitload of money through my involvement with a consortium of Mafia and Bratva organizations, I dreamed of building something for myself.
When this place came up for sale, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to fulfil that ambition. I wanted to create a destination where people could come to sample wine and to eat,either in the relaxed setting of a coffee shop or a table service restaurant.
The numbers, both in terms of visitors and income, are already exceeding my most optimistic expectations. I know it’s partly my notoriety that brings people here, but it’s the incredible experience they have at the winery that persuades them to come back.
If I can get my hands on Ricci’s land, I’ll look at options for providing accommodation, glamping pods, perhaps. I’ll also plant new vines and set up a kitchen garden to supply fruit and vegetables to the existing restaurant and the new fine dining venue I plan to open.
As I show Lucia around, my chest puffs up with pride. She’s impressed with what I’ve done here. She loves the restaurant space with the panoramic windows overlooking the countryside below and the coffee shop with its cozy corners where people can enjoy time with friends.
Predictably, it’s when I lead her into the state-of-the-art kitchen she shows the biggest response.
Gasping, she raises a hand to her chest. She walks around, running her fingertips over the countertops, opening the enormous ovens to peek inside, inspecting the pantry.
This kitchen is four times the size of the one at Gianetta’s, which I believe has changed little since her grandmother opened the place.
“This is incredible,” Lucia says. “I’d love to work in a kitchen like this.”
“So why don’t you?” I ask as an idea occurs to me. “Run my new restaurant.”
Lucia shakes her head. “I have Gianetta’s.”
“Yes, but this could be a second location. We could call it Gianetta’s at the Vineyard, or something like that.”
Lucia screws up her nose.
“But you mentioned fine dining. Gianetta’s is about high quality, well-cooked food, but it isn’t as fancy as what you’re planning.”
“So create an elevated version of the menu for here.”
I can tell she’s thinking about it when a tiny crease appears on her forehead and her eyes scan the room as if she’s imagining herself working here.
“I don’t know, Lorenzo. I mean, it sounds like a lot of work and I don’t want to leave my grandmother’s restaurant.”
“Then don’t. Be my executive chef. Design the menu, train the staff. I don’t expect you to be in the kitchen twenty-four-seven. You can just be the name behind it.”
Lucia bites her bottom lip. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” I don’t want to rush her into anything, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of her working by my side to fulfil my vision for this place. “But I think we’d make a good team.”
Though she nods, Lucia still appears uncertain. She looks anywhere but at me. Eventually, her eyes land on the door at the far side of the room, the one with a padlock on the outside.
