Burying my face in my hands, I let myself cry.
I just wanted to get to work so I could forget about Ciro.
10
CIRO
“Ciro, it’s been a long time.”Fabio Ferrari opened his arms and hugged me at the entrance of his luxury apartment. “What brings you to San Francisco?”
“A personal matter.” I patted his back. When I’d reached out to him yesterday, I hadn’t said what I needed. Hell, I still didn’t know why I messaged him or what I wanted from him. The meeting was mostly about showing my respect while being in his district. I would’ve done the same with his brother and sister in Seattle. “Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
“No worries. Please sit down.” He directed me to a leather club chair in his living room. A wall of windows was across from me, providing an exceptional view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
“Your view is stunning.” I imagined at night, when it was all lit up, it was breathtaking.
“One of the best in the city.” The corner of his mouth twitched as if holding back a cocky smile.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less living on Billionaires’Row.” I would buy a place in the Pacific Heights area if I visited more often, but I didn’t.
Actually, if Isla rejected me and remained in San Francisco, I might consider buying something with a billion-dollar view.
“Can I get you a drink? Beer. Wine. Pellegrino?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.” I relaxed in the chair and admired the view. “No, Remo?”
Fabio snorted. “No. My brother is much too busy with his family to meet with an old friend. He sends his regards.”
“I see.” How rude, but I shrugged it off. “Well, I was just looking to reconnect.”
“I must admit, I don’t believe you.” He gave me a glass of red wine. “We go way back to college, Ciro. You’re not the kind of person who calls just to reconnect.”
“You haven’t changed either. Still right to the point.”
“I’m a busy man.” He sat across from me with his own glass of vino. “Trying to make more money than you.”
“Good luck.” I chuckled, something I rarely did. But Fabio amused me with his ballsy comment. “My family will always have more.”
“Yes, but what about you alone?” He eyed me with a smug grin. “I’m setting myself up not to need my family’s wealth and power. I’m tired of following someone else’s rules.”
“I understand. With so many older brothers, you’ll never be at the top.”
“I never wanted to be. But such is the life of a Ferrari.” He drank his wine and seemed to ponder something. “So why did you call?”
“What can you tell me about West End? It’s a bistro I want to buy.” No idea where that came from, but now that I’d said it, buying the bistro was a fabulous idea.
Fabio’s eyebrows raised. “Why?”
“Someone important to me works there.” I set my goblet down on the round glass table. “My ex-girlfriend.”
“If she’s your ex, why do you want to buy the bistro?”
“I don’t know. I just want it.” I shrugged like spending millions of dollars on a bistro was pocket change. It mostly was compared to overhauling casinos or building them from the ground up.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but West End isn’t for sale.” Fabio set his drink down, matching me. “The owner is an old friend. Find something else to buy.”
“Anyone can be bought. Tell them to name their price.”
“Still a cocky son of a bitch, aren’t you? Not everyone can be bought.” He scratched his chin. “Let’s not forget, you’re in my city now. I’ve invested billions here, and West End is not for sale.”
