The Arello family is the second biggest family name in Italy. We are the first. There’s been a fracture between Lorenzo and Giani Arello for decades. I’ve always thought it was over land claims, but something is tingling my bullshit sensor. Giani has no problems fucking with our shipments, but he’s never tried to go after a family member. That means this current problem is very personal, and he wants to hurt Lorenzo beyond the scope of business.
“Giani won’t stop, Allegra. You know what he’s like.”
I do, and I don’t. I usually deal with his cocksure son, Gisto, who will become head of the family once Giani dies. The old man will never relinquish control. Only the finality of death will get him to loosen his restricting grip. I kind of feel sorry for Gisto. He isn’t surrounded by love or by true loyalty. Giani rules through fear and anger. I’ve witnessed Giani’s rage once before and it was directed at his son.
However, my sympathy only stretches so far. Gisto is a chauvinistic reptile ninety percent of the time. I’ve lost count how many times he’s claimed to be the right man to set me straight. One day I’ll accept his offer and laugh as his bravado shrivels to the size of his microscopic dick. Men like that are all the same. All talk, no follow-through. He wouldn’t know what to do with a woman. God only knows how his wife copes.
Oh, that’s right, she doesn’t. Instead, she fucks his younger brother.
“Then we need to find a way. I can deal with our cargo getting hit. But we can’t keep everyone safe if he’s set his eyes on hurting the family that way. There are too many of us.”
I might be Lorenzo’s only heir. I’m not counting Bonnie, but we have many, many members of the family: nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles. Lorenzo and I would be devastated if anything happened to any of them, which again leads me to think Giani’s vendetta is something much more than I’ve been told. If he wants to hurt us, there are already plenty of options. Instead, he’s taken the time to track down Bonnie and her family. Giani wants to rip Lorenzo’s heart out by hurting his daughter.
“Fine. But now, we concentrate on picking up Bonnie’s parents and getting everyone to the villa in one piece.”
I nod and stand. As much as I want to retreat to my chamber for the rest of the day, I know I have work to do. Business back home hasn’t stopped, and there will be mountains of emails to sift through. We are also coming up to harvest time, and I’ve never missed one yet. I’ll be damned if I miss this one. The vineyard is the only thing that brings me true peace.
First, I have to talk to Bonnie and Kelley; something I wholeheartedly do not want to do. I’m not so worried about Kelley. She still looks like she’s going to pass out every time she sees me. But Bonnie? She’s a different matter, especially after my performance with Rosa against her door. In the cold light of day, it was childish and below me. My only excuse is her words cut me deep.
After talking with Lorenzo, I need to take a different tack. Antagonising her will only drag this out longer. The quicker we get her and her family to safety, the quicker I can deal with the Arellos and we can get back to normal, and to where I will never have to see that infernal woman ever again.
9
Bonnie
It’sthebajillionthreadcount on the duvet and the feel of silk sheets underneath, that first reminds me I’m most definitely not at home. My own duvet cover is scratchy and my mattress, lumpy. This mattress is like floating on a cloud of marshmallows.
The second reminder is the godawful décor I’m currently staring at with my bleary eyes. Third…um, third, is a scary blonde staring at me with different-coloured eyes from the corner of the room.
“What are you doing in here?” I screech, pulling up the covers until they’re tucked under my chin. I had to sleep nude because I haven’t got my pyjamas.
Allegra looks entirely unfazed by my squawking. She simply continues to watch me from the wingback chair, one leg crossed over the other and her hands resting on her lap.
“I’d thought you’d be awake by now, trying to tunnel out of the house,” she says.
I narrow my eyes. “I won’t be that obvious,” I shoot back, presuming we’re skipping yesterday’s confrontation.
“We need to talk. Get dressed and come to Kelley’s room.”
“Why?” So much for me keeping a low profile and not antagonising her.
She grits her teeth and flares her nostrils. I wait for the acerbic response, but it doesn’t come.
“Please, just do as I ask.” And then she stands gracefully, gives me one last sweeping look, and leaves.
My heart is pounding. I’d like to say it’s from the surprise of finding someone watching me as I sleep, but I’m not sure that’s the reason…at least not the entire reason. As much as Allegra is a foul specimen of a human being, her stare stirs something in me. My mind conjures a particular scene inMob’s Seduction.Dammit, that’s how it starts! The protagonist gets sucked in by the mob queen and her sultry looks. She gets all flustered and starts to feel attraction, even though the mob queen is a real piece of work. Well, I’m not falling for it. Nope! Allegra can do sweepy looks and smouldering eye contact, but she won’t break me.
Satisfied I can keep it in my knickers, I slip out of bed and quickly shower again. I still feel like I have half an ocean on my skin. For once, I’m not looking forward to putting on my wool skirt. After the feel of silk sheets on my skin, I know the heavy material of my clothes is going to be uncomfortable.
Walking to the ugly vanity, I stop and stare. Ican’tput my wool skirt on because it isn’t where I left it. None of my clothes are. What the hell?
Turning in a circle, I search for my clothes. Is this Allegra’s childish way of pissing me off? I thought she would be more the finger-snapping and kneecapping type than a stealing-a-girl’s-clothes kind of mobster.
Just as my anger begins to rise, I spot a pile of clothes on a small table next to the wingback chair. Cautiously, and with an air of suspicion, I approach. Neatly folded on it is a dark grey pencil skirt and a ruby-red silk shirt. There is even underwear…of the lace variety.
I’m not sure how long I stand there staring, but it must be approaching at least ten minutes. Allegra will probably burst through the door any second and drag me to Kelley’s room, because I am most definitely late.
Did Allegra leave these here? Is she seriously trying to dress me? What kind of control freak does that?
