Valentino suddenly scooped her up in his arms like he was carrying a bride.
Caterina shrieked and giggled at the same time. “Put me down!”
“Nope,” he said as he headed for the door. Then he called back to us, “See you guys later.”
“Nooooo!” Caterina howled and laughed as Valentino carried her out of the kitchen.
“I wishmylove life was like that,” Raffaelo said, and I laughed.
Adriano looked at me.
“Mine isnothinglike that,” I promised.
“It better not be,” he growled, then shifted topics. “Lars and Rachel went back to work training the new foot soldiers. Go hit her up, do the driving simulator for half an hour, then we’re heading back to Florence.” Adriano glanced over at Raffaelo. “You good to hang out for a while?”
Raffaelo gestured at his plate. “If I can keep eating like this, I’ll stay here forever.”
“Well,that’snot an option,” Adriano said, “so have at it while you can.”
Raffaelo gave him a thumbs-up.
“Adriano,” Alessandra said.
“Yes?”
“Giorgio deserves to have a life outside of work.”
Uh-oh…
“He can,” my boss said, “as long as it doesn’tinterferewith his work.”
“Well, I specifically want him to be able to pursue this woman he’s interested in – without any interference from you.”
Oh no.
My stomach tightened as I waited for Adriano’s outburst –
But no outburst came. He just looked surprised.
“Is that an order?” he asked with the slightest hint of amusement.
Alessandra grinned. “From your Don’s wife, yes.”
Adriano glared at me, then looked back at his sister-in-law. “You know, it’s a good thing I like you so much – and that you’re going to make me an uncle.”
She laughed. “Thank you.”
He kissed her on the top of her head, then pointed at me as he headed out of the kitchen. “Thirty minutes in the simulator, then we head back to Florence. Apparently so you can work on yourlove life,”he said sarcastically.
“Okay, boss,” I said as I wiped my mouth with a napkin and stood up.
As soon as he was gone, Alessandra said, “I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
I smiled. “A little. But I appreciate the help.”
“Think you can helpme?”Raffaelo asked her in a joking voice.
“I don’t know,” Alessandra said. “Do you have any prospects?”
