He smiled gently as he stepped forward. “Emilia, you have done my family and me a great kindness today. I am forever in your debt.”
“I just did what anyone would do,” I said quietly.
“You would be surprised how many peoplewouldn’tdo what you did,” Dario said with a smile. “Giorgio is one of my best men. More than that, he’s agoodman. It makes me happy to know he met an equally good woman.”
A shiver went down my back again.
It felt like the devil was paying me a compliment, no matter how well-intended.
Dario raised one eyebrow the tiniest bit, as though sensing something had shifted inside me.
But he still smiled kindly. “I’m sure you must be exhausted. Alessandra, Caterina – would you accompany Emilia to the kitchen and get her something to eat? I need to speak with Bianca and Lucia, but the rest of us will join you shortly.”
“Of course,” Alessandra said with a smile.
“Absolutely,” Caterina agreed, and took my hand. “Come on – I’m not too bad a cook, and I’ll fix you anything you want to eat.”
“‘Not too bad a cook,’” Valentino repeated with a snort. “My wife’s the best in Tuscany. She’ll take good care of you.”
I forced a smile and let myself be led out of the room by Alessandra and Bianca.
I glanced back over my shoulder –
And saw everyone else file into a room off the main foyer… a room filled with dark wood and the color red.
Then the doors closed behind them with an ominousboom.
80
Ihadn’t realized how long it had been since I’d eaten, which had only made my stress worse. I began to feel more like myself after a little food.
And oh my god – the food!
Caterina was wonderful. She started me off with a bowl ofribolittathat was the best I’d ever had,along with a small plate of cheeses, prosciutto, and olives.
Then she ladled out somepollo alla cacciatorashe’d been making for dinner. The hearty stew of chicken, tomato, onions, and celery was fragrant with rosemary, sage, and bay leaf, and the meat was so tender it fell off the bone.
Paired with a glass of absolutely delicious red wine, I was in heaven.
Or as close as I could be after a day like today.
The kitchen was very comfortable. Though all the appliances were expensive enough to belong in the fanciest of restaurants, the kitchen island felt homey and cozy.
I sat on a stool as I ate at the island. Alessandra sat next to me as Caterina puttered around.
We talked as I ate. Thankfully, they avoided what had happened that morning and instead asked me questions about dating Giorgio.
“Did he take you to the Boboli Gardens?” Caterina asked.
I looked at her in surprise. “You know about that?!”
“Of course! In fact, he asked us what we – ”
“Cat!” Alessandra whispered.
Cat looked embarrassed. “Oh shit – was I not supposed to say anything about it?”
I laughed. “It’s okay – Giorgio told me he asked everybody for their recommendations. I just didn’t realize he meanteverybody.”
