Chapter 14 Cielo
Cielo
My plan to stay out of the way has so far been successful.
Benjamin, Kevin, and this Penny woman—who I have yet to introduce myself to—have spent their time here so far, drinking our cellars dry and lounging by the pool.
I honestly didn’t think Mr Moss had it in him.
He’s a far cry from the wool-clad nerd we picked up last week.
Another surprise is his lack of attitude toward the fact I confiscated his hideous clothing.
It’s not something I would usually trouble myself with.
After all, why should I care how the man dresses?
I’ll admit that once I saw him in properly tailored slacks and shirt I knew I couldn’t let him hide away a moment longer.
Benjamin has a body to worship, and in all truth, I wanted to get a rise out of him.
I’ve enjoyed fucking with him, what can I say?
The second he arrived with his bag, I had it removed and replaced by a full wardrobe of the finest Italian clothes. The morning after their arrival, I waited patiently for him to storm into my office, ranting and raving, demanding I return his sack of wool. He didn’t. And I was wholly disappointed.
Benjamin hasn’t so much as looked at me since our short meeting in my office, and it’s thrown me for somewhat of a loop. But then I remind myself this is exactly what I wanted. I’d promised I’d keep my distance and focus on work, even though each day feels more of a grind than the next.
Everything has been quiet on the Arello front, and as unnerving as that is, I can’t afford to waste time waiting for Giani’s next move.
I’ve doubled security around the villa and paid off a few more dock employees to keep an eye out for anything untoward.
I’m yet to figure out how I’m going to get the Arellos to back off without bloodshed.
Lorenzo wasn’t impressed that Gisto tried to mess with another shipment, and it took a bit of time to calm him down.
But this is why I’m in charge. Lorenzo is tired, and his patience for these types of games is well and truly depleted.
I’m not far behind in that regard. If I’d not been here to smooth things over, I’m sure Lorenzo’s temper would have played right into Giani’s hands and we’d be in the middle of a war right now.
Thankfully, I contained the situation and encouraged Lorenzo to concentrate on Benjamin and his mums. The man wants to get to know his son, and I’d rather he attempt that than get in my way.
So far, he’s spent his time talking with Phillipa and Mary.
I wonder if they’ve been counselling him.
It’s strange they are so calm about everything, if you ask me.
My focus now is on the vineyard. I have crates of wine to ship out and temporary pickers to hire.
Plus, the “other” business will need attention soon.
I hate having to go to the dockyards, but I don’t trust anyone else to verify our cargo.
I’m the one with an art degree, after all.
Well, I have more than that. In a different life, I would have been an artist full-time, I think.
But that’s not the case and there’s no point looking back.
My skills are used to help verify, and sometimes recreate.
Although it’s been a few years since I’ve had to make a forgery.
Unlike our house guests, I have not been sunning myself and replacing my blood content with wine.
A part of me is concerned about Benjamin.
I may have stayed out of the way, but that hasn’t stopped me from observing, and I think his behaviour is probably a little too out of character.
He’s a relative stranger to me, but something tells me all this partying is going to end in tears.
Penny is the leader of their little group. I can tell her lifestyle is very different from Kevin and Benjamin’s. She’s the instigator. I’ve heard her encouraging Benjamin to “let go.” One time I heard her explain alcohol was invented for dealing with stress. I didn’t like it.
I know it’s my fault Benjamin is feeling like this. How I handled him, and the days following, was unprofessional. And I probably made the situation far more stressful than it needed to be. I still blame Lorenzo for that, though.
Being back here in my sanctuary has allowed me to process my behaviour.
I let my anger towards Lorenzo cloud my actions.
I behaved how other families would have, and that’s not okay.
But it doesn’t matter now, Benjamin and his friends will only ever see me as a ruthless criminal, which I probably deserve.
If only Benjamin understood how complicated the situation is.
There I go again! It makes no sense that I even want Benjamin to understand.
We’ve interacted a handful of times and they’ve all been terrible.
Yet no matter how much I scold and remind myself of the similarities between Pietro and Benjamin, I can’t help but gravitate toward him, even if it is just a quick glance out the window to see what he’s doing.
The day I took Benjamin Moss irrevocably changed my life, and I don’t know why!
It’s like my universe shifted the second we clashed.
I just can’t get back into my usual flow.
All the voices in my head that were becoming despondent to the monotony of fighting for power have only got louder.
I can’t tuck them away as easily anymore.
The only light in my day is working in the vineyard.
I’ve taken to wandering the fields when the office becomes too stifling. Roberto has taken over the majority of managing the staff and security, allowing me a modicum of space to breathe.
I keep thinking everything will be fine when Benjamin and his family leave. At least I won’t have to listen to any more pop music. But will it? Can I get the motivation back to keep dealing with family politics? Do I want to? I feel like I don’t know myself anymore.
Until I met Benjamin, I revelled in the power I’d earned.
I was able to push the unsavoury things I’d had to do to get where I am, to the back of my mind.
But in such a short amount of time, the ruthless Cielo that set off to pick up some random man on Lorenzo’s behalf is slowly slipping away, being replaced by someone I don’t know.
It’s almost nine in the evening now and the sun is starting to set. I’ll never get used to the breathtaking views over the sea. The sun casts vibrant oranges and pinks across the sky. It’s stunning.
I’ve been walking for a good half an hour, so I’m way out of the villa’s secure perimeter.
I’m not worried, though. I have my pistol, and even Giani Arello isn’t stupid enough to come for me personally.
Not because he’s worried about what Lorenzo will do, but because he knows I will fuck up anyone who attempts to hurt me, and then I would be out for blood.
The only reason I’m not now is because Giani’s attempts at hurting the family have been weak so far.
Nothing he’s done has warranted me to go into full Don Mannucci mode.
A rustling two rows away has me on guard. It’s probably a critter, but I’m naturally suspicious and guarded so I reach for my gun. What I find both amuses me and infuriates me. Lying tangled in the grapes is a very inebriated Benjamin.
I’ve not seen him this afternoon, and now I know why. Roberto is going to get the full force of my anger when we get back. Benjamin will get it when he’s sober, which by the state of him, will be tomorrow afternoon at some point.
“Benjamin? What are you doing out here?” My voice is sharp and makes him jump. His eyes are bleary and red-rimmed. He’s totally wasted.
“Look whotiz! Mrrrr Mafia King himself: Cielo-I’ll-Shoot-Ya-Best-Friend-Mannucci.”
I don’t bother correcting him. I’ve been called worse. Never Mafia King, though. And I am a Mannucci in every way but blood.
“Benjamin, you’re too far away from the villa.”
“Pfft. I wanted a walk, so sue me. Or kidnap me and shoot me. I don’t care. You won’t get me, kingy. I know what your game is.”
I’m totally lost. He’s rambling, and I don’t have time to decipher what the fucking hell he’s talking about.
“Get up,” I bark.
“No! You’re not the boss of me. I won’t marry you!”
Um…
“And you can stop looking at me with your eyes. They won’t work either! Do you hear me, Sexy Cielo? Nothing will work. I won’t be your sex slave!”
I’m definitely missing some context here.
“Just get up,” I say, hooking my hands under his armpits. He’s dead weight.
“No. I want to look at the sea. It’s so pretty.”
He’s a stubborn toddler, I swear it!
“Basta!” I growl, but he doesn’t stop. He sinks lower to the ground, making it impossible to pick him up. “Benjamin, get up!”
He sticks his tongue out. “No! I’m watching the pretty colours.”
Dropping his arms, I stand and stretch my back. What the hell am I going to do? Looking around, I can’t see any of our security, which isn’t surprising considering how far out we are.
“Fine. If we watch the sunset, will you stand up after and let me take you back to the villa?”
He squints at me for a second and I think it’s partly his thinking face and partly trying to get his eyes to focus. “Deal,” he shouts, thrusting his hand out. “Shake on it, then, Sexy Cielo.”
Now I do laugh. “Deal,” I reply, giving his hand a solid shake. “Do you want to stand now, though, to see the horizon better? I can’t imagine it’s a great view from the dirt.”
Another moment of contemplation before he gives a decisive nod and does his best to stand up. I catch him around the waist before he takes out my prize-winning plants.
“Stupid shoes,” he grumbles until he looks down, confused. “Where are my stupid shoes?”
“No idea.”
“Huh.”
He allows me to guide him a little closer to the cliff’s edge. The view really is breathtaking from up here.
“Please don’t throw me off,” he says and then burps.
“I have no intentions of that. I won’t hurt you, Benjamin.” I really want the words to stick.
“But you hurt Kevin. He’s my bestie from another westie… No, that’s not right. Brother from another mister. No, hang on…”
I roll my lips in to stop a laugh bubbling up. “Brother from another mother, I think is the correct phrase.”
“Yes, that!” he declares, pointing his finger to the sky in triumph. His eyes dart from the sunset to my eyes. He’s waiting for me to say something.
“I’ve apologised for that. I know it was wrong.” Jesus, it’s like talking to a child.
Another squint of his eyes. “But you have a gun. You’re a baddie and I don’t like it. You’re too handsome to be a baddie.”
“I…” …do not like him calling me a baddie. But I shouldn’t be surprised. It all seems so black and white to people. Clearing my throat, I nod to the sun, which is almost gone. “You’re missing it.”
He looks at me for a second longer and then turns towards the sea. His balance is atrocious, so I keep my arm around his waist. I feel him move into me a little more and my traitorous heart does a little dance.
Thankfully, he doesn’t protest when I encourage him to walk with me. About fifteen minutes in and he’s sagging against me, his eyes drooping.
Great.
Scooping him up, I hold him firmly in my arms. He doesn’t protest, which leads me to believe he’s already asleep. At least this way I can pick up the pace. I’m a sweaty mess by the time we arrive at the villa. Roberto is standing there, his face pale.
“Cielo, I—”
“Save it,” I growl. Pushing through the door, I don’t stop when Penny and Kevin come rushing over.
I barge through them all and take Benjamin straight to his room.
Laying him down on the unmade bed, I cover him with a light sheet.
It’s far too hot for anything more, and I’m not going to undress him. He’s out like a light and drooling.
Softly closing the door behind me, fatigue suddenly hits me with force. I should go down and rip into Roberto, or into Benjamin’s so-called friends, for letting him get into that state and allowing him to wander off.
I do neither of those things. I go to my room, shower, and slip under the covers. Instead of frustration, I start to laugh. Once I start, I can’t stop. Benjamin’s slurred words play in a loop. Forgetting about the whole “you’re a baddie” thing, I concentrate on him calling me Sexy Cielo.
I’m going to have fun with that.