“Nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Nothing to be concerned about?!” I cross my arms at my chest. “You’re so quick to marry me off. What could be so important to override that?”
Just as I finished saying that, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Luca shouted.
Alfie steps in. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” Luca replied. “You’re going to California.”
The news took back both Alfie and me.
“Have I done something wrong?” Alfie asked.
“No,” Luca replied, “Emilio told me you’ve become quite the asset.”
Emilio poured a drink into a glass and gave it to Alfie as he joined our circle. Alfie seemed skeptical initially taking it but took the cup and waited to hear more.
Luca continued, “My uncle Neil is looking to retire. His position will be open for the taking. I think you would be a good fit.”
“I prefer being in Chicago,” Alfie replied.
“You’ll learn a lot from Neil. Give it a shot; we can revisit the conversation if you still don’t like it after the year ends.”
As though there were no other answers, Alfie replied, "Whatever you want, Luca.”
“You’ll catch a flight with Aria,” Emilio added. “You leave in an hour.”
“Go pack a few things; anything else you need, you can get while you are there,” Luca said.
Alfie gulped his drink and smiled before walking out.
I ask my brother, “You’re sending Alfie to look after Aria?”
“No,” Luca replied, “Like I said, Neil will be showing him the ropes out there.”
“I’m sure the redhead will love that,” I comment.
“The redhead stays in Chicago.”
The confusion was written on my face. Luca shot Emilio a look to let him fill in the blanks.
Emilio cleared his throat, “The redhead is keeping tabs on Aria and on us to report it back to her brother in New York. Keeping her here will let them think they still have an upper hand.”
I nod my head even though none of this makes sense to me.
“Wear something nice tonight,” Luca said.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You have dinner with your fiancé.”
Chapter 20
I walked into Slava, one of Chicago’s upscale restaurants, and was escorted to a table surrounded by people in the center of the dining area. Wearing my sleeveless charmeuse sheath dress with bluebell print with silk satin lining, a straight neckline that tied around the neck paired with black, red bottoms, I was looking to make a decent impression. It was playful but elegant. Luca was supposed to accompany me, but Gabe wanted a one-on-one only. It was odd my brother agreed to it.
“Bethany,” he pulled out my chair.
