For now.
“Yes. I started traveling with my grandfather at a very early age. And my mother enjoyed tropical vacations.” I glanced out the window at the bright sun reflecting off old tile-roof buildings. “I lived in London for a time. For graduate school.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
I glanced at him. “You don’t sound surprised.”
Jett grinned. “Italian wasn’t the only thing I looked up online this weekend.”
I rolled my eyes. “Be careful what you read on the internet.”
“Mm. So you didn’t date the governor’s daughter? I see.”
Kalliope Andros and I had dated for six months around the time I’d seen Jett in Amsterdam. When I’d returned, it had become clear to me that Kalliope and I would only ever be sexual partners and social friends. She was as politically driven as her father, and I didn’t want any part of that. When she’d tried tomanipulate my relationship with her father in order to impact complex port negotiations to his favor, I’d cut her loose.
I couldn’t abide liars or double-dealers.
“That didn’t last,” I said. “And was never serious to begin with.”
His eyes flicked back to the privacy screen, and he cleared his throat. “How can I best support you during this chess extravaganza,Mr. Maris?”
Right. Business.
“We’ll spend a couple of days preparing the house and staff for the tournament. That means studying up on whatever information their people have sent ahead for accommodations, diet, et cetera, to ensure their comfort. I need you to take point on this with my housekeeper. Unfortunately, I have a lot of work I need to do before the guests arrive.”
He nodded. “I can do that. My dads throw killer house parties, so I have lots of experience. What else?”
Again with the inconsistencies. But even if I couldn’t control my raging curiosity, I’d be damned if I let it show.
“When the guests arrive, I’ll obviously need you to help me make them feel welcome and comfortably accommodated. You’ll be a liaison between our guests and the household staff.”
He frowned. “Why don’t you ask your mother to act as hostess? She’s a society maven, right? Wouldn’t she like this kind of thing?”
I shook my head. “My father wasn’t a fan of Paxis, and he convinced her it was boring. She’s never been to a tournament. Which suited my grandfather fine because he didn’t trust her discretion.”
The car pulled up to a dark metal gate, and a guard stepped out of the gatehouse to speak to the driver.
“Discretion.” Jett pursed his lips. “What is there to tell about a chess tournament? How wild and crazy do these things?—?”
I held up a hand to shut him up as my window rolled down so the guard could see who was inside.
“Ciao, Gianni,” I said with a nod.
The familiar man smiled and waved us through. “Mr. Maris. Welcome home.”
The words hit me in the gut. Villa Altomare was mine now. While I’d come to stay in January, to hide out for a week right after my grandfather’s death, it hit me again that this was my house, not his. That he was gone, and he’d left me responsible for carrying on the Maris legacy.
“Are you okay?” Jett asked softly when the window was safely rolled up.
I ignored his concern. In fact, it was the last thing I needed. I had no time or inclination for being coddled.
“This tournament is made up of powerful people,” I said, jaw tight. “Other men and women in positions like mine. Heirs to family businesses that have been around for a very long time. I mentioned Paxis is an old-world variant of chess? Well, this group has existed nearly as long as the game has. For generations. I play with people who have a lot of money and wield significant influence.”
Jett turned toward me. “Like who?”
”Emil Sorensen, for one. His family remains the primary stakeholder in Soren Pharmaceuticals.”
I could tell by the look on his face, Jett recognized the company name. “Who else?”
