Page 64 of Scarred Heir
Did I have a breaking point when it came to Milo? Would I know when enough was enough before it was too late?
“What has you so lost in thought, Irish lassie?” Antonella finished washing the last of the dinner dishes. “Although, a little birdie told me you are half-Italian.”
“Milo was surprised to find that out.” I sweptthe floor. “Not that I’ll ever be able to hold a conversation with him in Italian. I only know a few words.”
“You might pick a few more up when Nico comes home. He and his sons often hold conversations in their native tongue.” She nodded toward the broom. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind.” I bent down and brushed the crumbs left over from dinner into the dustpan. “I like being helpful.”
Milo and some of the guys ate with us before hurrying out to deal with business. I had a feeling it wasn’t car business. I tried to put what Milo did when he left here out of my mind. The less I knew, the better. Maybe that was naive of me, but whatever he did to run his family’s empire was probably more than I could handle.
“I was thinking maybe I should teach you how to make a proper sauce for Milo.” Antonella interrupted my thoughts again. “Would you be interested in that?”
“I think I would.” I dumped the crumbs into the trashcan, then I put the broom in the closet in the small hall just off the kitchen. “This kitchen is bigger than my apartment. I might be intimidated learning here.”
“Nonsense.” She dried her hands on a towel. “This is the perfect place to learn. You’ll feel like you’re in Italy.”
“It does have a Tuscan vibe.”
I gazed around at all the elaborate stone and wood that accentuated the terracotta tiles beneath my feet. The entire house gave off notes of Italian architecture with the eloquent marble running through the halls and staircase to the intricate archways and columns that set off different sections of the house.
From the time the car had pulled into the driveway, it was easy to forget we were in New Jersey. The estate wasfitting for mafia royalty, and the Accettis definitely fit the bill.
“Everything is authentic,” Antonella said. “Julia made sure of that. She drove Nico crazy when she designed it, but he spared no expense and gave her whatever she wanted.”
“It’s beautiful. I feel like I’m in Italy.” I ran my hand along the rustic countertop. “Not that I know what it would be like since I’ve never been there.”
“It’s unforgettable.” She reached up on her toes and placed the pasta bowl on the shelf in a cabinet. “My mother still lives there. I visit as often as I can.”
“That’s nice.”
“Do you see your mother often?”
“Not at all. She left when Chance and I were young. She and my father didn’t get along, and she thought it was best to go.”
“Oh.” When she turned, I couldn’t avoid the pity in her expression. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s no big deal.” I shrugged. “Chance and I got over it.”
We didn’t really, but there was no sense dwelling on the past. We made it through, and when the time was right, we left home. No looking back.
“Hmm…” Antonella pushed the chairs in at the center island, making sure they were spaced perfectly apart. “Well, you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a family.”
“Oh, I’m not… Well, I’m not really looking for one.” At least, not the Accettis. I didn’t think. “Milo seems a little lost without Nico and Marchello.”
“He is,” she said. “I can’t wait to see them all back under this roof where they belong.”
Would I belong once they came back? Would Milo need me then?
“Are you excited about your new job?” she asked. “Milo seems eager to have you work at the dealership.”
Milo is eager to have sex with me whenever he wants.“I’m looking forward to it.”
“But?” She looked at me over the rim of her stylish, black glasses.
“When I suggested I get a job, I didn’t think Milo would offer me one right on the spot. I was trying to gain some independence.”
“You might be in the wrong relationship for that.” She laughed. “The Accetti men are in the wrong decade when it comes to women. Don’t get me wrong, I love them all, but they can be challenging.”
