That's not thoughtful. I need to do this right. Carefully. In a way that shows I actually know her now. That I understand who she is and what she wants.
I need to court her properly.
Just me, trying to win the heart of a woman who has every reason not to give it to me.
My phone rings. Bruno.
"How'd it go?"
"I might still have a chance with Liana." I can't help the small smile. "If I can figure out how to actually court her properly."
"You're going to woo her," Bruno says finally, in disbelief. "Like, flowers and dates and all that? Santino Marcello. The man who negotiates multimillion-dollar deals and orchestrates the destruction of rival families. Is going to woo a woman."
"That’s my plan."
"I gotta see this." I can hear the grin in his voice. "This is going to be a complete disaster."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"I'm just saying. You've never actually dated anyone. Every woman you've been with has been... transactional."
He's right, and we both know it.
I've never courted anyone in my life. Never had to. Women came to me because of my name, my power, my position.
"Then I'll learn," I say with determination.
"You really love her, don't you?"
The question catches me off guard, makes me pause.
Do I love her?
"Yes," I say finally, the admission feeling both terrifying and liberating. "I think I do."
"Then good luck, Boss. You're going to need it."
He hangs up and I drive back to the city, my mind racing with possibilities.
How do I do this? How do I show Liana that I've changed? That I see her now? That I want her—not her family's business, not the alliance, just her?
I need to be thoughtful. Intentional. Show her I actually pay attention to who she is.
Not grand gestures. Not expensive gifts that anyone with money could buy.
Something real. Something that proves I know her.
By the time I get home, I have the beginning of an idea forming.
It's risky. It might not work at all.
But it's honest. And maybe that's enough.
I pull out my phone and start making calls.
I'm going to court Liana Costa.
And I'm going to do it right this time.
