His obvious fear for my brother is gratifying. We've always been close even if an ocean separates us. "No, he's recovering well. I wanted to let you know Olivia is having dinner with Piotr."
"When?"
"Now. Tonight."
"She's alone with him?" Antonio asks.
"She is. I thought you gave him permission."
"I did." There's uncertainty in Antonio's voice.
"Look, Antonio, I trust Piotr. He's a good friend."
"Yeah, I know. It's just Olivia…"
He doesn't finish the thought, but I get it. Things with Piotr could easily turn sour. Olivia is willful and she has a tendency to say what's on her mind, no matter what the cost.
It's one of the things I love about her. I appreciate a strong woman, which brings my mind back to Violetta, as it always seems to lately.
"She'll be fine."
"Do you think I made a mistake telling Piotr he could have her?"
"It's a good alliance. Piotr works closely with me and with you. It's the right move for us all."
"Yes, but what about Olivia?"
"He'll be good to her."
"But will she be happy?"
"That, I can't answer."
We chat for a few minutes more about business and then end the call. As I'm putting my phone away, I spot Olivia storming across the parking lot. Even from a distance, I can tell she's furious.
I jump out of the car, slamming the door behind me. Before I can ask her what's wrong and if I need to kill my fucking friend, Piotr marches up behind her, grabs her arm and starts to drag her away.
"Reznov!" I yell in warning.
"Starne fuori."
I bristle at being told to stay out of whatever is going on, but this is a personal matter, not a business one, so I choose not to interfere. Shaking my head at the drama that follows my cousin wherever she goes, I get back in the car.
A few minutes pass before Piotr brings Olivia back. Their body language is tense. They trade a few barbs and then my cousin gets into the car. I turn on the engine and pull out of the parking lot.
"Date went well?" I ask drily.
"He says we're getting married in a week." Olivia laughs mirthlessly. "A fucking week, Damiano!"
"That's a pretty long engagement for your family."
Olivia twists in her seat to hit me with the full force of her glare. "Are you trying to be funny?"
"I was trying to lighten the mood."
"Well, don't." She settles back in her seat. "You lack the charm to pull it off."
That hits me harder than it should.
