“I might trust you with my life, Uncle Dario, but my money not so much.”
Uncle Angelo and my dad chuckle as they come closer, and Dad whispers, “Want to know how Dario keeps winning?”
“Yes.”
“He has a photographic memory when it comes to cards and how everyone likes to play, which gives him an advantage.”
“We let him get away with it,” Uncle Angelo says. “It makes the man happy.”
“He’s lucky he’s everyone’s favorite,” I chuckle.
Remo catches my eye, so I quickly excuse myself and walk over to where he’s typing something on his phone. When he notices me, a smile spreads over his face. “I’m just telling Asher goodnight. Since he got his own phone, he’s been blowing up my inbox.” When he’s done, he pockets the device. “I love it.”
“Thanks for giving him attention.”
Remo leans his shoulder against a wall and gives me a serious look. “Valentina and the kids want to go back to the mansion.” When a frown begins to form on my forehead, he holds up his hand. “It’s their home, Christiano. We’ve had a longtalk about it and decided that I’d move in with them. Just as friends.”
I shake my head. “That’s not fair to you, Remo. I won’t let you torture yourself like that.”
“It’s not your choice.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “If I can’t be there for Valentina during the worst time in her life, I’ll never forgive myself. She needs me as a friend right now while she picks up the pieces of her life, and that’s what I’m going to be for her.”
Christ, how did I get so lucky to have this man as my best friend?
Stepping closer, I wrap an arm around him and pat his back as I give him a brotherly hug. “I wish I had the power to make her love you.”
“She admitted the attraction is there, so I think the more time I spend with her and the more she heals, the better our chances will be.
“That’s good news. You should’ve started with that, fucker.” I slap him lightly upside the head. “Here I am thinking you’re doomed to love a woman who doesn’t want you.”
Letting out a burst of laughter, he says, “Let’s take our places at the table.”
We look for our seats, and when I find my name card, I notice I’ll be sitting between Adriano and Riccardo.
Pleased, I pull out the chair, and as I sit down, I glance at my other brother-in-law. “How are you and Gianna? The two of you have been quiet since the shit went down in Tokyo.”
“We’re good. I’ve been busy training with Augusto to take over as his underboss.”
“And how’s that going?”
“Very good. I’m getting the hang of running Vitale Health.”
“What is my sister up to lately?” Gianna is the youngest out of the four of us, but I know I don’t have to worry about her with Riccardo at her side.
“Yuki is teaching her how to do pottery. After the poker game at Augusto’s place, the two of them just hit it off.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
All the men find their seats at the two tables, and when Uncle Dario joins my table, I let out a groan. “Your daughter already took a hundred mil from me. Take it easy on me tonight.”
“I will, but only because I’m having so much fun building the new system with Rosie.”
“It was actually a hundred and fifteen million,” Enzo says as he passes our table to join the other one. When I give him a what-the-fuck look, he shrugs. “You know I can’t say no to Rosie.”
Yet, he won’t make a move on her.
The instant the thought pops into my head, I shut it down. I’ve had enough of everyone’s disastrous love lives to last me a lifetime.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I send Sienna a quick text and check on the cameras to make sure she’s okay. Seeing her sitting in the living room and laughing with the women, I relax and pay attention to the conversations around the tables.
