“No, you’re not.”
Paolo leaned forward. “I’m listening.”
“The company is mine. I can choose what to do with it.”
“And?” Dante pushed.
“I think we should talk about a restructure. I will retain control, initially.” After all, he’d fought for this a long time, he was not about to be careless. “This would be on a temporary basis. But rather than competing, what if we try to work together? We each have talents, strengths. Our grandfather’s error was believing one would be superior.”
Dante made a noise of agreement.
“What do you say?” Luca pushed.
Paolo looked at Dante, frowning. “What’s changed?”
He felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Allegra. Allegra had changed him. She’d made him see. “I realised we could try having each other’s backs for a change, like a real family. It’s your call.”
“There is no harm in trying,” Dante said quietly.
“I’m game,” Paolo agreed.
And for the first time in their lives, the three men smiled at each other with something like genuine appreciation and friendship, and Luca knew then, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she had been right.
* * *
A week later,Valentino stormed into his office. Luca glanced up. “I’ve been expecting this.”
“Have you?”
“Sure. You’re angry that I’ve brought them on board.”
Valentino stopped walking.
“I think Dante and Paolo each bring something to this operation. We’ve decided to work together.”
Valentino’s brow furrowed. “I don’t give a shit about that, Luca.”
Luca blinked. “No?”
“I gave this to you. I trust you. If that’s your judgement, then so be it.”
“But I am saying you were wrong,” Luca said, his tone quiet but full of restrained anger.
“That is the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?”
He stood up, bracing his palms on the edge of his desk. “What are you talking about?”
“You let her leave?”
It was like being punched right in the gut. He straightened as if physically wounded.
“You really are a fool.”
“You’re the one who brought it about. The day you told me you knew our marriage was a fake was the day she was free to go.”
“I told you that to make you understand; to make both of you understand. I thought you just needed a little encouragement. You werenotsupposed to push her away.”
Stars danced in Luca’s eyes. “What the hell are you saying?”
