Page 73 of Unrelenting
“Sit here.”
He pushes me onto the sofa facing the living room door. Standing behind me, he rests his hands on the back of the couch. He has his gun out now. Although he isn’t pointing it at me, I’m terrified of what might happen.
Lorenzo comes into the room along with a man who must be his cousin Gio and two women. One is tall and thin with caramel-colored hair and dark brown eyes. Her pale complexion suggests northern Europe. The other is a little shorter with darker hair and olive skin.
I hold my breath as Lorenzo and the other man pull out their guns. I’ve never seen Lorenzo wielding a weapon before. There’s an intense, scary look in his eye. Knowing it’s because he wants to protect me is oddly arousing.
“Let’s put the weapons away,” Adan says. “I mean you no harm.”
“Who are you?” Gio demands.
“Adan Barevsky.”
Gio stiffens and so does Lorenzo. They may not know this man, but they’ve heard of him.
“What do you want?” Lorenzo drops his arm to his side, but he doesn’t put his gun away.
Adan must look at the taller woman because Gio steps in front of her.
“Calm yourself, Mr. Volante,” Adan says. “I merely wish to talk. Perhaps Signorina Lazaro would be good enough to make us some coffee.”
Indignation flows through me. This man has some nerve coming here and holding a gun on me then asking for refreshments. I don’t say what’s on my mind.
Instead, I glance at Lorenzo. He nods so I get up and walk into the kitchen, sending him my fiercest glower on the way.
Though I realize this situation is not of his making, it doesn’t mean I won’t give him hell for it later.
As I boil the water for coffee, I take out the cafetiere I rarely use. I prefer to use a moka but since I’m making coffee for a group of people, this seems a better option. I spoon some coffee into the cafetiere and look up as the darker haired woman comes into the room.
“Hi, I’m Rosalia,” she says.
“Lucia.”
“My sister’s called Lucia. She works for Signore Gabriele in Rome.” The girl speaks quickly and the tremor in her voice confirms she’s nervous. “I work for him too. I look after the country villa.”
“You’ve met him?” It’s really not the time for casual conversation but I’m curious about Gabriele and can’t help asking.
“Years ago. I haven’t seen him since the…” She motions toward her face. “Signore Damiano lets me know what’s required now.”
“Do you know what’s going on through there?”
Rosalia shrugs. “I find it safer not to ask.”
I nod and busy myself making the coffee.
“Could you grab that tray from the counter?” I ask Rosalia. “And get some cups from that cabinet behind you?”
While Rosalia does as I asked, I pour some milk into a jug and place it on the tray along with the pot of coffee. Then I grab a plate and put several pieces of almond biscotti on it. I have no idea why I’m going out of my way to be hospitable to these people.
Leaving Rosalia in the kitchen, I carry the tray into the living room and set it down on the coffee table.
“I must get to the restaurant,” I say, although I’m not sure I’m going to be allowed to leave until whatever this is gets resolved. “I am already behind for tonight’s service.”
“Please don’t let us detain you,” Adan says, smiling pleasantly. “Thank you for the refreshments.”
Is it really that easy? I can just walk out? I glance over at Lorenzo to see if he thinks it’s a trick.
“Va bene, Lucia. We will speak later.”
