17. Gabriel Returns to Italy #5
“Gabriel, good to see you,” Claudia said. “Time for a drink later?”
“That Santini Original suit was made for you,” he said.
She leaned close. “You can strip me out of it later.”
Gabriel had a reputation for being a wild one, but never with Claudia.
Over the years, he’d done the razzle dazzle with a few vendors but since the relationships never ended well, neither did their business partnerships.
After learning his lessons the hard way, he kept his Little General out of business…
but his reputation lingered long after he’d cleaned up his behavior.
He offered a tight smile. “I’m flattered, but I have to pass.”
“Maybe next time,” she pushed.
He needed to shut this down. Stringing her along wasn’t his style, plus she needed to know that sex was not part of the deal.
He leaned close, whispered, “I’m sorry, Claudia, but no.”
Her eyes turned cold. “We might walk.”
“Partnering with Santini Euro is smart business. You know that.” He thanked everyone, flashed his team a big smile before signaling for his VP of Worldwide Distribution to join him in the hallway.
Once there, he murmured, “She propositioned me. I refused. She threatened to walk.”
Up went her sculpted eyebrows. “Good to know,” said his VP.
“What’s their pitch?”
She relayed their proposal, finishing with, “I came in high on purpose.”
He smiled. “Brilliant as always.”
“That’s why you hired me.”
“Expect her to play hardball or walk.”
“How do you want me to manage this?”
“We won’t be manipulated, especially by sex,” Gabriel said.
“I’ve got three global distributors on my short list to call if this deal falls through.” His VP shot him a cool smile. “This is Santini International.”
“Nice work,” he said.
“Are you back for a while?”
“Just passing through.”
“Safe travels, G.”
Gabriel returned to the design department where he found Monroe chatting with his head designer.
“Take everything,” his designer placed the folded pile of black clothes into a black Santini shopping bag—the word SANTINI embossed in gold—and handed it to Monroe.
“è sempre un piacere, angelo mio. Se cambi idea, fammelo sapere. Sei una dea.” Always a pleasure, my angel.
If you change your mind, let me know. You are a goddess.
Monroe kissed each of his cheeks before lifting the bag off the table and slipping her arm through Gabriel’s.
“I feel like a princess. Everything here is better. The atmosphere, the people, the energy.”
“Don’t forget the food,” his designer said. “Mr. Gabriel hired one of the city’s best chefs. You would love working here.”
Gabriel scraped his hand down his beard. “You offered her a job?”
“She’s stunning, lithe, smart, and she looks gorgeous in every single thing she tries on,” his head designer said. “I’d be a fool not to… and I’m no fool.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
“You even manage to pull off those hideous cat pajamas,” the designer said.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Gabriel replied.
Monroe laughed.
As they made their way back to the lobby, Gabriel got stopped by several employees. While he ran a tight ship, he had an open-door policy. If an employee needed to run something by him, he made himself available.
By the time they reached the lobby, an hour had passed.
“I can ask one of my drivers to take me to the airport,” he said to Monroe.
“That works,” she replied. “Oh, I almost forgot, I got a text from Teddy. He told me he’s marrying Sydney. Isn’t she the one I met a few months back? She’d run into a problem, and I bailed her out.”
“That’s the one,” Gabriel said. “Monroe, fly back with me. The fam would love to see you.”
“I got a thing I gotta finish here first,” Monroe replied. “Then, I’ll visit.”
Gabriel stopped at reception for a driver, then walked Monroe to her car. She deposited her SANTINI gift bag in the trunk before hugging him goodbye. “This was such an easy trip for you.”
He chuffed out a laugh. “I took out another group of mobsters and Diego almost died.”
“Like I said, an easy trip.” She glanced around. “Over my shoulder, high noon. The white car parked across the intersection. There’s a man standing on the sidewalk smoking. “That’s my stalker.”
“Have you run him through IDware?”
“Don’t have to,” she replied. “He’s Riccobene’s son, Marco.”
Gabriel knew the name… and the man. “Riccobene runs the largest illegal diamond operation in Europe.”
“That’s the one,” Monroe said.
“And his son is stalking you?”
“Yes.” She got in her car, started the engine.
“I’ve done business with Riccobene. You want me to handle this for you?”
“I don’t need no stinkin’ man taking care of me.” With a wink, she added, “Love you, G.”
“Love you, Monroe. Thanks for today. Be safe.”
“What’s the fun in that? We’re Santinis. We live for danger.”
As she drove away, she stuck her arm out the window, flipped Marco Riccobene the bird, and vanished around the corner.
Gabriel chuffed out a laugh. If there was anyone who liked poking the bear more than he did… it was Monroe.
She’d been nothing but trouble since the day she was born.