Page 56 of The Betas: Rene
The act of inviting Don Ferone to dine at his table conveyed respect. Don Ferone was not a hanger-on to be dismissed to an upstairs, out of the way, office. This was a delicate waltz that Armand spent years perfecting. The Don sat down. Mr. Salvaggi and Mr. Amato stood behind him. “If you permit, Don Ferone, your associates are also invited to come to the table.” Here, if Don Ferone agreed, and permitted his lieutenants to take a seat, Armand could bring Martin, René, and Frankie to the bargaining table. The Don nodded his assent.
“Call me Dante, please, we are now, after all, family, Mr. La Marche.”
“Armand, if you will.”Point met.
“If you don’t mind, you, of course, have been introduced to my husband, Sean, and Martin.” Don Ferone nodded.
“You are the artist…” Don Ferone shook Sean’s hand.
“Potter,” he said. Sean glared at Armand. “I am throwing a pot. I have to get back to my studio. I wanted to come out and welcome you to our home.”
Don Ferone preened. “Thank you, Sean. It was nice of you to interrupt your morning to greet me.”
Sean shot Armand aSo thereand didn’t leave. Armand sighed, as much as he loved his husband, there were disadvantages in taking an Omega as Mate. One of which being they didn’t know enough to stay away from places they didn’t belong in. He’d bet Rémy didn’t have this problem with Ian.
“And Martin, the brother-in-law to my son.” Don Ferone returned Martin’s handshake.
“May Frankie and René also join us at table?”
“Of course, let me introduce my lieutenants, Alberto Salvaggi and Giuseppe Amato. Alberto, Giuseppe, you, of course, know Armand and Frankie. You met Martin and René yesterday at the wedding.” Dante’s men nodded and followed behind him.
“Sean, don’t you have something to do in the studio?” Armand’s well of patience had run dry. When all else failed, the direct approach was best. Sean went off in a huff. Over the Mate Link, Armand told him,“You behaved badly. We’ll talk later.”
Armand seated his guests. He sat at the head of the table with Don Ferone at the foot. Martin, René, then Frankie, sat on his right side, Don Ferone’s two associates at his left.
Pierre served coffee and passed around the cake. “These look delicious, Armand. Has your housekeeper also gone to the Culinary Institute?”
“No, Meg had a teacher, Antonin Carême, a French chef, many years ago. My father paid for her to go to class. Pierre and Meg were my father’s housekeeper and factotum before they were mine.”
“Carême, wasn’t that one of the famous French pastry chefs?” Dante finished his Napoleon greedily and plucked a crème puff from the tray.
“A man of the same name and family, some thirty years ago,” Armand answered mildly.
“A family that stayed in the business.” Dante’s eyes turned feral.
“Yes, many families have businesses they are loath to give up.” Armand regarded Dante with a deliberate glance.
“So true, I had hoped to pass mine to my oldest son.” Dante looked pointedly at Frankie.
“Perhaps this one was ill-suited, you are blessed with another. I have only a daughter.” Armand feinted.
“Yes, I met her yesterday, a delightful child. My wife was enchanted.” Dante’s eyes softened at the mention of Frankie’s mother.
Armand thanked the gods. Here was an opening.There may not be carnage here after all.“If your wife takes lunch with René and Frankie, I’ll make sure that Elena and Miss Beaumont are available to say hello.”
Dante smiled softly and showed the first genuine emotion he had since he arrived. “That would be good of you, Armand. She would enjoy that. She doesn’t get out much nowadays. Arthritis has really affected her mobility.”
Armand would have Dante’s cooperation. He saw the small smile Frankie surreptitiously sent up the table.
Armand relaxed his shoulders a bit. “I would gladly have Martin bring Elena when René and Frankie visit Brigit for coffee in Brooklyn if you think Frankie’s mother would want to see her. That way Brigit can enjoy Elena’s company without having to leave the comfort of her home. Of course, Elena couldn’t travel without Miss Beaumont and a few of my men, there is always the danger of kidnapping when you are the child of a wealthy man.”
“My wife would welcome her. It would be a great favor to me if she could visit Brigit. My wife means the world to me. I, of course, understand the danger of kidnapping. I explained that many times to Frankie when he was growing up.”
“Now we should get to business.” Armand could see in Dante’s softened features that he realized a huge favor had been asked and granted.
“What can I do for you, Armand?”
“Frankie tells me…”
