"And what is that?"
"I'd like you to donate ten percent of the profits from my grandfather's territory to charity each year."
It's a request I can accommodate. "Any specific charity in mind?"
"Something that supports women and children."
"Emilia is impressed by the community center Giulia is opening. She wishes to support similar ideas in her homeland." Alessandro's pride in his wife is obvious.
"And you're comfortable with this?" Lorenzo asks.
Our cousin nods. "It's what Emilia wants, and it's not like we're hurting for cash."
"And Antonio?" I can't imagine the head of their branch of the family being happy with this development.
"He agrees it's Emilia's decision," Alessandro says. "It's not as though we don't have other European avenues to explore."
"That's true," I agree. We are always keen to work with our American cousins and now Olivia is marrying Piotr Reznov, that gives them another way to further their business interests. I glance at Lorenzo and he nods.
"Okay." I get to my feet and extend a hand to Emilia. "We have a deal."
She practically jumps out of her seat to shake my hand enthusiastically.
"Thank you, Damiano. Thank you so much."
I chuckle at her eagerness. "I should be thanking you, Emilia. This is an advantageous deal for me."
"Financially, maybe, but you have no idea the weight you've lifted from my shoulders."
Lorenzo pops the cork on the bottle of champagne and pours four glasses. He passes them out and I raise mine in a toast.
"To you, Emilia. May this deal allow you to explore a new chapter in life."
Emilia blushes and moves a touch closer to her husband's side as we all clink our glasses together. She's a sweet woman but lacks the fiery spirit I find myself admiring more and more in Violetta.
We drink our champagne, discuss the arrangements to finalize our deal, and then Alessandro and Emilia leave. As I sink into my chair once more, Lorenzo drifts over to sit at the bar.
Left alone again, I open the laptop. The camera grid appears on screen. Once again, I find Violetta quickly. She's leaning over a table, speaking to a group of women. She nods and walks away, heading for the staff-only door. Just before she reaches it, she pauses. She lifts her head and looks directly at the camera. She touches two fingers to her lips and blows a kiss as if she knows I'm watching.
Interesting.It seems my little vixen likes to play.
TWELVE
Violetta
When I walkinto the club, something is off. I can't put my finger on what it is. Nothing has changed as far as I can see. The lighting is the same amber glow. The music as the DJ gets warmed up for the night is the usual pounding beat. There's a familiar smell of polished wood in the air from the freshly cleaned dance floor. On the surface, everything is the same, but the place doesn't feel like it did a couple of nights ago.
Perhaps it's me. I am a little on edge. I blame Stefano for that. Lina introduced the hulking brute to me as my driver, but I think we both know he's a jailer, assigned to make sure I go to work and come home again without incident. He walked me inside, then told me he'd be sitting outside in the car until I'm done for the night. I guess Damiano doesn't trust me not to run.
I head for the staffroom to put my things away and check my makeup before the club opens. I'm halfway along the corridor when Giorgio strolls toward me. A part of me wants to be angry with him for taking me to Damiano after I set Adamo free, but he was only doing his job.
"Signorina Caruso." His greeting is surprisingly formal, immediately putting me on guard. He usually calls me Vee, like everyone else around here does. Well, almost everyone. Neither Damiano nor Riccardo has ever addressed me that way.
"Giorgio," I say carefully. "Is everything okay?"
"Would you come to my office for a moment?"
I frown at that. Since when does he have an office? I follow him along the corridor, my confusion deepening when he leads me into Damiano's office. He moves behind the desk, putting space between us, but remains standing. He gestures toward the chairs on my side of the desk but I don't sit.
