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“So did I,” Gerard admitted. “I was afraid she would gush and bury me in praise, but she was surprisingly objective, and she loved your statue.”
“Hearing her talk about your father and how his death motivated you to become a physician and researcher was particularly moving,” Giovanni added. “It’s a terribly sad story, but your dad would’ve been proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
“You mean everythingwe’veaccomplished,” Gerard amended. “I’ve said this before, but I want to thank you again for investing in my new clinic and pharmaceutical company. You didn’t have to, and I want you to know how grateful I am.”
“We’re the ones who are grateful to you for giving us this chance,” Linda said, reaching out to take his hand. “It’s our privilege. Even Jean-Paul agrees with that.”
“I just don’t want you to think you’ve made a bad investment,” Gerard muttered.
“Dio mio, you’re impossible!” Giovanni threw his hands in the air. “Why would we think that? Now that the MHRA has given the drug its approval—something they would’ve done months ago, had Mrs. Orwell not misrepresented your trial findings—you’re already healing people. As well, the company has orders for your miraculous salve and serum from all over the world. You know the money isn’t our primary concern, but if you’re worried about the financial aspect of business, just take a look at the numbers. We’re getting an excellent return on our investment.”
Linda smiled wickedly. “I wish I could’ve seen Tony’s face when he saw the articleThe Timespublished with that photo of the three of us.”
“Do you think he gets the newspaper in prison?” Giovanni wondered.
“Oh, I’m sure he gets VIP treatment,” Linda said bitterly. “I can’t believe he still claims he’s innocent.”
Despite the evidence to the contrary, Tony had pleaded “not guilty.” He maintained Linda, Gerard, Jane Orwell and everyone else were lying, and that they’d planted the evidence against him, including the counterfeit drugs. As always, his endless array of lies nauseated her. Of course, his word hadn’t amounted to squat when there’d been a mountain of evidence against him.
So far—and his troubles were far from over—he’d been sentenced to fifteen years in prison for attempted murder against Linda and Gerard and seven years, to be served consecutively, for hiring Ricardo Barro to break into Gerard’s home and steal his things. A second trial was pending on the charges of bribery and intellectual theft. And once that was adjudicated, he would face a multitude ofGrievous Bodily Harm with Intentcharges relating to his involvement and sale of counterfeit drugs. That sickened Linda the most.
Testing had revealed that many of those drugs sold to HOPE had contained expired medications and placebos. A few had actually been poisonous, with the addition of small amounts of pesticides, known carcinogens, which had made the patients sicker.
“Let’s not ruin this day by talking about that monster,” Linda said, finishing her eggnog and setting the cup on the table. “If I have anything to say about it, he’ll never be a free man again. He’s responsible for the deaths of so many people, even if it was indirectly. I want him and his team to pay for what they’ve done. All we can do right now is try to repair the damage.”
“We’re working on it,cara,” Giovanni said, his smile sad, his eyes filled with sorrow. “But it’s Christmas. Let’s think happy thoughts, okay?” He stretched and looked at his watch. “If you two don’t mind, I’ll go up to my room.” He drained his glass and put it down. “I have calls to make. Tomorrow, I need to hit the gym. It’s been a week since I have, and I’m getting fat and sluggish—especially after the meals I’ve had since my arrival.”
“I’m sorry we’ve kept you so busy,” Linda said. “I’m sure we can squeeze in a visit tomorrow.”
Giovanni stood and rolled his shoulders, then bent to stroke Pirata, sleeping peacefully, curled up on the couch between her and Gerard.
“Good plan. Alright, lovebirds, see you tomorrow. Merry Christmas!”
He kissed Linda on the top of her head, squeezed Gerard’s shoulder, then went upstairs to the guest room.
Linda sighed. She stood and started to clear the glasses from the coffee table, but Gerard took her hand to stop her.
“Leave it for now. Giovanni’s right, we should enjoy Christmas.”
She smiled up at him.
“What do you want to do?”
He glanced out the window where big, white snowflakes fell in a peaceful, lazy dance. Standing, he reached for the thick blanket on the empty chair across from them, then took her hand.
“Come on,” he said, opening the terrace door and leading her outside. The air was cold, their breath coming out in clouds.
“It’s freezing,” she complained, her skin rising in goosebumps under the red, knee-length dress she wore. Although it was cashmere, it wasn’t really that warm, and since it was quite short, there was a significant portion of her uncovered. Since it was under the overhang, Gerard placed the fluffy blanket on the outdoor rocker he’d bought himself, sat, pulled her onto his lap, and wrapped them both inside the blanket.
Linda melted into his arms, his warmth seeping into her. She felt so peaceful, so fulfilled.
In front of them, the snow fell, coating the garden and its various bushes and shrubs in fluffy white, the hundreds of colorful fairy lights giving it a magical touch. Christmas carols, playing softly inside the house floated out to them. Linda recognized Melanie Thornton’s “Wonderful Dream.”
“I’ve never been happier,” Linda whispered, turning her head to face her lover.
“Neither have I.”
He skimmed her lips with his, then drew her closer and deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue with his, grazing his teeth over her bottom lip. Their breaths joined in a cloud of steam and passion, as their embrace grew hotter, more demanding.
