Chapter 4
Isat up, my heart racing with panic. My clothes formed a trail from the door to the bed. James was gone and I was naked. I had no good reason for being in this guest bedroom.
“Lissa,” I said, my mind going into overdrive. I needed an excuse and I needed one fast. “You surprised me.”
“And you surprised me,” she said, lowering her voice. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She was tall with big blue eyes and long blonde hair that she wore pulled into a sleek ponytail.
“I had insomnia last night.”
“Why are you in here?” She glanced around the room.
“Well…” I stalled and quickly glanced around the room. Where the hell was James and how could he have left without saying a word? I could not see any bags. The room looked empty outside of me. If I hadn’t known that the man I fucked stupid last night was a paying guest, I would have assumed the room was unoccupied. “I used my master key and let myself in. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“And you took your clothes off,” Lissa said, eyebrow arching. It wasn’t a question.
“It was hot,” I said, my voice even.
I knew Lissa had a list of all the registered guests but I couldn’t bring myself to admit the truth to her. I followed a stranger home for a one-night stand at my family’s hotel, and I’d been caught.
“And I thought this room was occupied,” Lissa said, glancing at her clipboard.
“Well,” I said. “It is. By me.”
“I see,” Lissa said, eyes darting from me to the floor. I imagined she was piecing together the night before without much effort. I hoped that her years of loyalty to me and my family would keep her from pressing me with more questions.
My relationship with my family was already strained. I did not need more drama with my parents or worse, Roberto. Being known as a runaway bride was bad enough.
A quick glance at the trash bin by the bedside and I saw three empty condom wrappers. Three. I could not remember the last time I’d been had sex three times in one night because it had never happened before. I needed to get out of this room before Lissa asked more questions or noticed my sex trash.
Lissa crossed her arms. “Paolo told me there were calls to the front desk last night about a disturbance in this room,” she said. “Were you unwell?” Her blue eyes narrowed as she gave me a once-over.
Was I unwell? My cheeks burned. Had the entire hotel heard me in bed with James last night?
“I don’t know. I didn’t hear a thing,” I said, my voice high. “I feel so much better this morning. A good night’s sleep does wonders. Do you mind handing me my clothes, Lissa?”
Lips pursed, Lissa handed me my underwear, tights, skirt, and sweater, which were strewn in a line as if I’d dropped them one-by-one before climbing into bed. My bra lay behind me, I could feel the scratch of the lacy cups against my backside.
Lissa turned to give me privacy as I dressed. I slipped on my underwear and tights under the covers.
“Lissa, would you mind not mentioning this to anyone?” I asked, fastening my bra and pulling my sweater on over my head. “My parents are such worriers.”
“Of course,” Lissa said, giving me a smile over her shoulder. “How we ladies deal with insomnia is also nobody’s business.”
I got out of bed and smoothed down the covers.
Lissa shook her head at me. “Don’t bother. We will re-make it,” she said, walking to the door. She paused with her hand on the knob and looked back at me.
“I’m glad to see you taking care of yourself too, Bella. I’ve been worried about you…” Her voice trailed off.
“Thank you,” I said, surprised, as tears filled my eyes.
“Go down to the lobby before you go home.” She held the door open for us both. “You should have coffee before you start your day.”
“Good idea.” A quick cappuccino sounded delicious and then I would head straight home. I didn’t want to risk running into James, and I planned on spending the day practicing my pitch and prepping for tomorrow’s board meeting.
As the door to the Lover’s Suite closed behind us, I stole a glance at the bed, remembering James. I could still feel the touch of his hands, his mouth on my lips, his body connecting with mine.
My body hummed with the memory of pleasure. It was so good, so satisfying. I asked myself, was it worth it? Without hesitation I knew the answer.
Yes, a thousand times, yes.
Lissa continued on her rounds as I walked down the main staircase scanning the lobby for James. The hotel was at capacity for Carnival, but it was quiet. A lone elderly couple sat by the fireplace enjoying coffee and brioche.
I wondered if James had gotten up early for breakfast. Would he return to his room expecting to find me there? We agreed to one night and it was more likely I’d never see him again. The thought made me feel sad, which I knew was madness.
Paolo stood behind the front desk wearing a grey suit and black tie. He looked focused, but tired. I knew he had been on the night shift and expected he would be off soon. I was so grateful that I’d managed to sneak inside without him seeing me.
“Buongiorno, Isabella Carmen,” he said, glancing up and giving me a warm smile. Paolo was the only person in my life who consistently addressed me by my first and second name.
“Buongiorno, Paolo,” I said, walking past the front deck to the espresso bar.
Paolo had worked the front desk of the Mia Sorella for as long as I could remember. With round wire rimmed glasses and white bushy hair that encircled his bald head like a crown, Paolo looked a bit like a mad professor.
I drew two espresso shots, steamed whole milk and poured everything into a porcelain white cup. It smelled delicious and comforting in my hands.
I crossed the black-and-white tile floor of the lobby and sat my cup on the marble counter of the front desk right by Paolo. He was still busy on the computer. I cleared my throat to get his attention.
“How may I help you this morning, Isabella Carmen?” Paolo said, glancing up as he continued to type away.
“Are we sold out?” I said, sliding the silver candy dish of my signature hand-dipped, black-salted caramels across the marble counter top.
“Indeed, we are, which is a nice change of pace,” Paolo said. I knew what he meant. Capacity at the Mia Sorella had been declining. A full house at Carnival was a given, there were few hotel rooms left anywhere in the city.
Paulo hit a key with vigor and looked up with an idea. “Oh, I do have news for you. Good news.”
“I’m always interested in good news.” I unwrapped one of my caramels and popped it into my mouth. Chocolate for breakfast was pure bliss.
“One of our guests inquired about purchasing a box of your caramels,” Paolo said, his eyebrows dancing. “Apparently, a friend of hers had taken some home from her trip and shared them with her. It was one of the reasons she picked our hotel.”
I stopped chewing. This was the validation that I needed ahead of the board meeting. It had been a struggle to get my parents to agree to even offer my candies as hospitality gifts to our guests.
We now included them in the turn-down service and offered a bottomless dish of caramels at the front desk and in the restaurant.
It was a labor of love, my love. I had no delusions about the financial problems facing all of my family’s properties, but I believed my caramels elevated the experience of staying at our hotel. The fact that a guest had asked about bringing some of my candies home made my presentation even more timely.
“What did you tell her?” I asked.
“I gave her a small bag and let her take home six,” Paolo said, winking. “I thought you would approve.”
“Yes, I approve. I love that,” I said. “Thank you so much for sharing, Paolo. And did you happen to mention this compliment to my parents?” I leaned over the marble countertop.
“Oh, you know I stay out of the family business,” Paolo said.
“You work for the family business.”
“True,” Paolo said, laughing. “Bella, your candies, they are delicious. You stay committed to your dream, amore.”
“Grazie,” I said, giving him a quick curtsy.
The phone at the front desk rang. “Pronto, welcome to the Mia Sorella.” Paolo held a finger in the air and nodded as he listened to the voice on the other line.
I placed another black salted caramel in my mouth and chewed, enjoying the way the caramel dissolved with every bite. The hint of black salt was a surprise, a layer that made the sweetness unbearably good. I intended to expand well beyond black sea salt.
I had more exotic flavors ready, like lavender rosemary, earl grey, cappuccino, and jalape?o. I had just the perfect jalape?o. The balance between the sweetness and the heat was critical.
“I should go,” I whispered to Paolo, as the click of steady and even footsteps snapped me out of my sexy daydream. I froze. I knew that walk. Paolo looked up, as well, hanging up the phone.
A voice cut through the lobby. “Paolo, has housekeeping started on the third floor yet? We have VIP guests in our suites this entire week.”
Damn. And I knew that voice, too. I had lingered too long and run into the one person I didn’t want to see, besides James.
“Bella,” Roberto said, standing beside me at the front desk. He couldn’t even be bothered to say good morning to me anymore.
“Buongiorno, Roberto,” I muttered. I was so weary of his ice-cold shoulder. When would he stop punishing me? Apparently, never.
I wondered what he would do if he had any clue that I had fucked a stranger named James in the Lover’s Suite the night before. Knowing that it would enrage him made me feel even better about my wild night.
“Lissa has already started on the third floor,” Paolo said.
“Excellent,” Roberto said.
Roberto rarely compromised his Venetian style. He wore a tailored dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt and no tie. His shirt was unbuttoned just enough to showcase a gold necklace and cross. His salt-and-pepper hair looked newly shaved and he’d re-grown his carefully groomed beard.
Roberto was handsome and polished, and for years I had stood beside him as his friend, his girlfriend, and finally his fiancé, until I wasn’t.
Still, looking at him made it easy to remember the feeling of his hand wrapping around mine. It had, at times, felt like a second skin, but that spark died. Roberto set a file folder on the marble desk and pushed my bowl of caramels to the side as if they were in the way.
“Paolo, please make copies of these materials right away.” Roberto’s voice was nonplussed but his body language said otherwise. He kept his back toward me as he spoke. “Do you have business at the hotel this morning, Isabella?”
“Excuse me,” I said, reaching past Roberto to move the bowl of caramels back to the center of the desk. I glared at him, daring him to move it again. I could do this all day, I thought.
Roberto did not acknowledge our candy showdown, and turned to face me, eyebrows raised. “I dropped by to say hello to Paolo and to check on inventory,” I said.
My comings and goings were no longer Roberto’s concern. He made me feel guilty and broken, as if my inner compass was off. I told myself it wasn’t entirely his fault, as he was twelve years older than me and he had often played the role of the wise older boyfriend. I had loved this part of our relationship at times, until it became a straight jacket.
I left Roberto at the altar, but that didn’t mean he was leaving my life anytime soon. His family’s involvement in my family’s business was rock solid. Our break-up couldn’t touch that bond.
“Yes, we need one hundred boxes,” Paolo said. “I am expecting a rush for Carnival.”
“You got it,” I said, giving Roberto a smile.
“Priority one, please make the copies,” Roberto said. “I need a set of documents at each seat in the upstairs dining room. Also, after the meeting, we will be hosting a dinner in the ballroom. Andiamo will cater.”
“But we have reservations in the dining room for a seated dinner,” Paolo said.
“Cancel them,” Roberto said, annoyed. “Signor Uzano will have the details, but it’s my understanding that our out-of-town board meeting guests will be dining with us.”
“Who is coming from out of town for the meeting?” I said, expecting only the usual suspects -- my parents, Auntie Aurora, Uncle Lorenzo, Roberto’s father, Nico, and of course, Roberto.
“I’m afraid it’s not my place to share that information. There has been an update to the agenda.”
“Roberto,” I said, weary. “Come on.”
“I’m sorry, Bella, I take it your father didn’t mention anything to you?” Roberto raised his perfectly groomed eyebrows. His false concern for me was too much.
“We haven’t discussed the meeting, specifically,” I said, my heart racing. My father most likely had no intention of telling me anything about the board meeting. It was a part of my punishment for disappointing my parents.
“And it’s not my place,” Roberto said. “I am sure you understand.”
“It’s fine,” I said, my pulse roaring. Rise above. I would rise above. I wanted to take the bowl of caramels and throw it into the gilded mirror above the fireplace. I wanted to smash something, but I stood steady, unblinking, smile frozen.
I would not crack, not here, not in front of him. “I am sure Papa will update me on all relevant news tomorrow at the board meeting.”
“Tomorrow?” Roberto looked confused. “The meeting was moved to today at ten a.m. Didn’t you get the text?”
“What?” I asked, digging my phone out of my pocket.
Roberto held up his phone. “Your father messaged me late last night. I assumed he would let you know too.”
Feeling dizzy with confusion, I looked at Paolo, who nodded in agreement. “I’ll make those copies,” he said, opening the door that led to the back of the house.
“The meeting starts in fifteen minutes,” Roberto said. “I expect everyone is already there or will be arriving shortly. Let me see what your father messaged.” Roberto looked up, a mock apology on his smug face.
“Oh, I think I was supposed to relay the message to you. He followed up again this morning, saying he tried to find you, but he wasn’t sure you were at home last night?”
I concentrated on my poker face. Roberto’s insinuation was impossible to miss. He was taking cheap shots and keeping tabs on me. Even worse, so was my father. I held my phone in my pocket and resisted the urge to look at it in front of him again.
There was no missed text from my father. I wasn’t prepared for my presentation. I did not have candy samples to show the board. The new box mock ups were still with Leo. I had holes in my presentation that I had wanted to fill in with accurate growth projections.
I was out-maneuvered and felt sick with the realization that I had to run offense with the board and defense against my own family. I underestimated Roberto’s power and my father’s anger. This last-minute scheduling change was a clear message. Roberto was a lieutenant and I was, at best, an expendable foot soldier.
Paolo returned with a stack of copied papers, setting them on the marble countertop between us. Lissa also entered from the back of the house. “Buongiorno, Lissa. And thank you, Paolo. I’ll distribute these,” I said, taking the folder off the desk.
“Suit yourself,” Roberto said, shrugging.
“See you soon,” I said, forcing my biggest mega-watt smile.
Roberto said nothing. He turned and walked up the marble staircase.
“I’ll go with you and check on the beverage service upstairs,” Lissa said, moving out from behind the desk to stand beside me.
I took a breath and held the stack of papers to my chest. I had woken up feeling so good, so strong, so alive with sex and the memory of James. The way he lifted me onto the bed, his dark eyes drinking in my skin, his tongue and mouth exploring me.
My cheeks flushed and my arousal rose. I wasn’t going to let Roberto or anyone in my family make me feel guilty about choosing pleasure over reason for once in my life.
Ready or not, it was time to face my family and the board. I didn’t have time to go home, but I needed to make sure I didn’t look like someone who had just rolled out of bed.
“I have a hairbrush,” Lisa said, softly. She patted a crossbody bag under her cardigan. “I keep a few things here at the hotel, so I don’t have to run back to the palazzo.”
With Roberto out of sight, I reached over and gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry you are in the middle of this.”
“Nonsense,” Lissa said. “I’m in the middle of nothing. You have a business idea to present. You deserve to stand before the board.”
“Thank you,” said, taking inventory of my clothes. I still had on my long black skirt, sweater, and emerald green pashmina. The clothes would have to do, but I knew my mother would be mortified to see a Venetian woman wearing my heavy, black, walking boots at the board meeting. Shoes were stupidly important to my family and everyone in Italy. I had an idea.
“What size shoe do you wear?” I asked Lissa.
“Size eight.”
“Do you have a pair of heels I could borrow?” I asked, pointing to my feet. “Anything, but my boots.”
“Yes, good idea.” Lissa smiled, leaning in. She reached out and squeezed my arm. “I keep an extra pair in the back. Give me a minute.”
I walked across the lobby to the ladies room. Inside, the walls were floor to ceiling Carrara marble walls, which suggested opulence, but the countertop was etched and dull.
I knew my family needed to re-sand, re-seal, and replace pieces of this stone if they expected the Mia Sorella to retain her four-star ranking. We could not afford to let another season pass without making improvements.
I used the restroom and stood at the sink in front of the gilded mirror. I found a ponytail holder in my pocket and brushed my wavy black hair into a high ponytail. A few wisps of untamable hair framed my face.
The door to the restroom opened, and Lissa popped her head in, holding a pair of shiny black heels with red soles in one hand, and a red-and-black scarf in the other.
“I thought you could use a color change-up,” she said, putting the heels and wrap on the counter. She handed me a tube of lipstick. “Use this,” she said. “It’s a gorgeous red. Trust me.”
I sighed and nodded, trusting her as if she were my sister. I put on the lipstick and smacked my lips in the mirror. The red color was good. Lissa helped me adjust the scarf so it wrapped around my shoulders just right.
“Much better.” Lissa said.
“Yes?” I smiled. My heart raced, this time with confidence. “This is better.”
“You look like a woman who has come to win,” Lissa said, standing beside me and squeezing my shoulders.
“Thank you.”
“Of course,” she said, leaning down, her face next to mine. “The women in this family need to stick together.” We were not related by blood, but she had lived with my family for so long, she was like family. “You need to go upstairs,” she said gently.
“I know,” I said, mind racing and toe tapping. At least now I had on beautiful shoes. I understood how Cinderella was transformed by her glass slippers. I intended to walk into that room as if I belonged at the ball.
“I need to send one text,” I said, taking out my phone. I fired off a message to Leo and asked Lissa to connect with him when he arrived.
“Of course,” Lissa said.
“All right then, I’m going in. Wish me luck.”
Lissa and I exited the restroom and headed to the grand staircase. Outside the dining room doors, I heard muffled voices inside. I wasn’t the first to arrive, but I wasn’t late. I glanced at my phone. I had five minutes, although I knew I was cutting it close.
I paused to give the agenda a quick review.
Uzano Board Meeting
Introductions
Financials
New Business
Old Business
Board vote
Introductions? Why would we need introductions? I remembered Roberto’s comment about the out-of-town guests. My stomach turned, as I noted there was also a vote.
What were we voting on? What was my father up to? Normally, we’d do votes inside new business. I quickly paged through the financials. There were summary bank statements, Nico would lead that part of the review with support from Roberto. Fine.
I needed to make sure I was on the agenda for new business. Surely my parents hadn’t neglected to include my Carnival proposal. There were a number of projects up for review in the packet around hotel pricing, holiday discounts, and I was relieved when I saw my Carnival proposal listed as a highlight.
I saw a single page with three words that made me turn cold. Street Entertainment Acquisition. Acquisition? I knew the name Street Entertainment. It was one of the biggest media and entertainment brands in the world. What did Street Entertainment want with my family’s properties?
The meeting was about to begin, so I opened the doors and walked inside, still scanning the packet for more clues. In the center of the room, about fourteen seats had been arranged in a U-shape.
“Bella, good of you to join us,” my father said, the tone of his voice snapping me to attention. He stood by the espresso bar in the corner, eyebrows raised. “The meeting is about to begin. Did you bring the agendas?”
Suddenly, Lissa was beside me. “Let me distribute them, Signor Uzano,” she said. “Leo confirmed,” she mouthed to me as she took the copies out of my hands.
I nodded a thanks and walked toward my father, my head spinning. I needed to stay calm. My father kept his brown eyes locked on mine as I approached.
He wore a black suit and tie. He was never without the finest Italian clothes. His brown leather shoes were polished and gleaming. Today, my father looked especially tall and broad to me.
“Buongiorno,” I said, pasting a smile on my face. Stay calm, Bella, I told myself. Getting upset would not help anything today. “I thought the meeting was tomorrow, Papa.”
“We had to adjust the meeting time to accommodate schedules,” my father said, his mouth a thin line. If he was not going to smile, so be it. I assumed that a warm greeting was reserved for people who did not disappoint him.
“I’m glad Roberto was able to locate you in time to deliver my message,” my father said, his tone stony. “Your mother and I were surprised you were up so early.”
“Yes,” I said, unblinking. This was my father’s way of telegraphing to me he knew that I hadn’t slept in my bedroom last night.
“The agenda is different than I expected,” I said.
“Yes, and I’d like to introduce you to one of our guests,” my father said, stepping aside.
I noticed a man standing behind him, his back turned to us, as he faced the breakfast table. I felt unsteady, like the ground had begun to shift.
The man wore a long grey winter coat. He was tall with broad shoulders and dark brown hair. My mind tried to reconcile the shape of him against my memory.
“Bella, I’d like to introduce you to James Street. James and his team are here to discuss an investment opportunity.”
James Street. My stomach dropped and my legs felt weak.
“It’s nice to meet you,” James said, turning, his hand outstretched.
I stood, frozen to the floor as if my feet had grown roots.
Holy hell.
The man I’d fucked was standing next to my father.