Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Luca
S he was quiet on the drive back to Paesano. We were in the SUV, with Aldo behind the wheel, while Carlo drove my Maserati back. I held her hand, perfectly content to sit in the silence and watch the scenery.
Valentina had been a pleasant surprise today.
I wasn’t used to a woman being so frugal around me. Or this funny. Or affectionate. Valentina touched me a lot . Little brushes of her hand. Grabbing my arm to make a point. Rubbing her foot against my leg under the table at breakfast. I liked it.
We had a nice day together, shopping and eating in the city. I couldn’t remember the last time I stayed off my phone for so long, but work had been the furthest thing from my mind today. It was refreshing to get lost in the crowds, a nobody with zero responsibilities. This allowed me to experience the city with Valentina.
My girl obviously didn’t travel much. As we walked after breakfast, she marveled at everything from the horse and carriages for hire, to the street vendors, to the different accents and cultures on every corner. At our last stop I bought her a pair of diamond earrings, though she refused to let me get the matching bracelet.
I bought it anyway.
I hadn’t spent this much money on a woman in a long time, not since Carlotta was pregnant with Gabriele. But I liked doing it for Valentina. She deserved it. This girl busted her ass all day long, even cleaning bathrooms, to keep her family’s legacy alive. I could relate.
Yawning, Valentina put her fancy juice drink in the cup holder. “God, I’m so tired.”
“Come here.” I tugged her down so she was lying across the seat. “Put your head in my lap.”
She didn’t argue, just flipped her hair out of the way as she settled on my thigh. “Why am I always sleeping on you?”
My chest expanded on a deep breath and I smoothed her hair, letting the long strands run between my fingers. The night of her book club she’d begged me to sleep next to her. I won’t feel safe without you. What demons haunted her? Segreto? Or had something happened in her childhood?
I vowed to find out.
Now that I have secured D’Agostino’s help, I might be able to locate my cousin quickly. This would keep Valentina out of this mess. Because no way was I letting Palmieri or the GDF get their hands on this woman.
Minutes passed and Valentina’s breathing evened out. I stared down at her profile while my fingers continued to stroke her head. Part of me didn’t want to return to Paesano. I didn’t want her in that tiny home all the way across town. The place wasn’t safe, not to mention that I wanted her with me. Could I move her into the mansion?
“Never thought I would see it,” Aldo murmured in Italian from the front seat. I glanced up and met his gaze in the mirror. “Like a teenager. ”
“Fuck off,” I said quietly.
“She’s a good kid. Works hard. Cares about people.”
I knew this about her. It was part of the reason I like spoiling her. Ungrateful, entitled people thought the world owed them everything. But this world didn’t owe any of us shit. Valentina knew this and she was a fighter, tough like me. Yet she was also sweet and innocent, and that twisted me up inside.
“I want her things moved into the mansion,” I ordered. “See that it’s done.”
Aldo shook his head. “She won’t like that. The house belonged to her dead mother. You’ve seen it. The mother might as well still be living there. Your girl is not ready to let go of the past.”
I sighed. I would need to handle this carefully. But after our stay in New York, I was confident that I could convince her.
My phone buzzed with more messages. I eased the rectangle out of my pocket and spent the rest of the ride answering questions and checking in with my brothers. Then I texted Leo, as he’d been quiet the past few days. That wasn’t uncommon for my first born. He was responsible, more serious and independent than his brother. Leo answered immediately, saying he’d booked a trip to Sardinia for a few days. I told him to have fun at the beach with his girlfriend and ring me when he returned to Catanzaro.
Valentina stirred when we were a few minutes out of town. I rubbed her back and continued to read a quarterly report from one of our legitimate businesses.
“Where are we?” she murmured sleepily.
“Just outside Paesano.”
“Damn. I hadn’t expected to sleep that long. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“Because you’re obviously fucking tired.”
She pushed herself up. “More like I’m tired because of fucking.”
A huff of laughter escaped my lips. “Madonna, that mouth of yours.”
“Are you saying you don’t like it?”
The devilish glint in her eye called to me like a cape to a bull. I leaned in and gave her a deep kiss. “I like it very much,” I said when we broke apart.
She patted my chest then glanced down at her watch. “I really should get to the restaurant. Aldo, can you drop me at the trattoria?”
He looked at me in the rear view mirror for confirmation. I supposed it was only fair. I’d monopolized her time enough for today and I knew she was reopening tomorrow. I gave Aldo a subtle nod.
“Of course, miss.” Aldo began pressing buttons on the car’s navigation.
I pulled her close to my side and kissed the side of her head. “I’ll take your packages to my house.”
“Or you could drop them at mine, seeing as how locks are no issue for you.”
Ignoring that, I said, “Come to the mansion when you’re finished today. We’ll have dinner together.”
“Just dinner?”
A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. “Maybe more.”
When we pulled up to the trattoria, she tried to open the car door herself. I grabbed her arm. “Wait, piccolina. I’ll come around and help you.”
“That’s not necessary. And I need to hurry.”
I gave her a look, one that had intimidated dangerous men across Europe. Valentina just rolled her eyes. “Fine. But hurry up, Luca.”
I got out of the car and buttoned my suit coat. Then I came around and helped her to the ground. Instead of letting her go, I grabbed her hand and started walking her inside.
“You’re annoying,” she said under her breath.
“Are you saying you don’t like it?” I asked, throwing her words back at her.
She bumped her shoulder against mine. “I might like it a little.”
“Good.” I opened the trattoria’s door and held it for her. “We’ll talk later about where you’re sleeping tonight. ”
“I’m sleeping at home.” She tugged on my tie as she walked past. “We’re reopening tomorrow. I need to be on my game.”
I followed her inside, then stopped in my tracks. Gabriele stood behind the bar, using a knife to cut something.
Che cazzo? What was my son doing here?
Dropping Valentina’s elbow, I strode directly to the bar until I was standing in front of him. He had the nerve to keep slicing lemons instead of addressing me. I spoke in our language so no one would understand how furious I was. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Ciao, Papà. How was New York?”
I grabbed the knife out of his hand. “I asked you a question, figlio.”
He shrugged. “I asked to be a bartender. I thought it might be fun—and I’ll get to eat here for free. Have you tasted Giovanni’s food? It’s so fucking good.”
“You are not working here.”
I sensed her a second before Valentina appeared at my side. She reached across the bar to offer her hand to Gabriele. “Hey, Gabi. I see you’ve convinced Roberto to give you a job.”
“Ciao, Signorina Montella.” Gabriele shook her hand.
“Have you bartended before?” she asked.
“He’s not bartending here.” I pointed at Gabriele. “Get your shit. I’m taking you back to the house.”
“Luca, wait.” Valentina put her hand on my arm. “Why can’t he work here?”
“My son is not a bartender. He has far more important duties than pouring drinks for frat boys and lonely old women.”
She drew herself up and gave me a withering stare. “Oh, so you think he’s too good to work here.” Before I could explain myself, she faced Gabriele again. “Welcome aboard. We’re happy to have you, Gabriele.”
My son grinned and leaned toward her, too close, almost flirtatiously. “You can call me Gabi.”
Turning, I spotted a young man polishing forks. “Find Roberto. Now .” He got up and sprinted for the kitchen.
I drummed my fingers on the bar, waiting, seething. Valentina and Gabriele were chatting, ignoring me. Apparently there were laws in New York about alcohol, and Gabriele was too young to serve drinks. I didn’t give a fuck, because he wasn’t staying.
From the second he landed in New York Gabriele had done his best to piss me off. I’d instructed him not to leave the house, yet he ran here as soon as my back was turned. I should send him back to Catanzaro tonight.
“Papà.”
I looked over at my son. Valentina had stepped away to deal with one of the construction workers, so we were alone.
Gabriele leaned across the bar and though no one understood our language, he lowered his voice. “I’m here to keep an eye on her. I know you have cameras here and at her house. Aldo said the former dishwasher used a fake name, too. I don’t know what’s going on, but I want to help you. So let me help you.”
I was surprised. I hadn’t expected him to pick up on any of this, but it was a good idea. He could watch over Valentina when I wasn’t around, as well as keep an eye out for Segreto.
And hadn’t I told Valentina there was no shame in accepting help?
My anger dissipated and a flare of pride welled up in my chest. “You’re right. This is smart. Thank you.”
The edge of his mouth curled like he was fighting a smile. “So you’ll fill me in later?”
“Yes, I will. Nice work, figlio.”
The kitchen door swung open and a very pale Roberto entered the dining room. He came straight over. “Signore DiMarco. Welcome back.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Look after him, capisce?”
“Mi dispiace, signore,” he said quietly. “He asked and I didn’t know what to tell him. ”
“It’s okay. He’s here to keep an eye on things for me. Treat him as you’d treat me.”
A small, curvy body wedged between me and the manager, forcing distance between us. “Roberto, don’t listen to Luca. We’re happy to have Gabi on staff.”
She pulled me away and I didn’t resist. Finally, she maneuvered me into a small area away from the dining room. “Will you quit it?” Her fingers smoothed my tie. “You’re overreacting.”
“How so?”
“Scowling at everyone and scaring poor Gabi. Don’t ruin our perfect day. If Gabi wants to work here, then let him.”
“Okay.”
Her gaze cut to mine abruptly. “Okay?”
“That is what I just said, no?”
She hooked her fingers into the waistband of my trousers, under my belt. “You are being very agreeable today.”
I dragged Valentina to my chest, then put my nose in her hair and inhaled, letting the flowery scent roll through me. “Thank you for coming with me to the city. I hope you had a nice time.”
“I did. Thank you for taking me.” She snuggled into my body, her arms winding around my neck. She tilted her head and kissed my chin. “Are you coming for the opening tomorrow?”
“Of course. We will have dinner together.”
“Luca!” Moving away, she frowned at me. “I can’t sit down for dinner during the reopening. I’ll be too busy.”
“No, Roberto will be busy. You will be having dinner with me.”
Valentina threw her hands up, her expression filled with exasperation. “Ugh! You’re the worst. Get out of here. I have things to do.”
She turned to walk away, but I grabbed her waist and pulled her back against my chest. I ground my hips into her ass, letting her feel me, then I put my mouth to her ear. “You will come to me when you finish tonight. Capisce?”
She swayed, then softened, almost letting me support her weight. “Okay. ”
“Va bene, piccolina.” I let her go, then slapped her ass. “Go and do your things.”
I watched her hurry away, enjoying the view of her body in the skirt and heels she wore. Fuck, she was hot. I couldn’t wait to bury my dick inside her again.
Once I was back in the car, I asked Aldo, “Did you know Gabriele went to the trattoria for a job?”
His eyes flew to mine in the mirror. “No! He did?”
My mobile buzzed, so I took it out of my pocket. “He wants to be our eyes and ears inside the restaurant.” Glancing down, I saw the call was an unknown number. Not unusual in my world, so I hit the button to accept. “Pronto.”
A strange voice began cursing at me in my language. “Chi cazzo credi di essere?” Who the fuck do you think you are? “You dare to fuck my daughter? You parade her around the city like your mantenuta? You fucking pig, Benetti.”
Flavio Segreto.
I gripped the glass and metal rectangle in my hand, yet my voice was calm. “Segreto. It’s nice to hear from you. Maybe we could meet in person and discuss your issues with me.”
“Are you so eager to die, then? The only reason I didn’t put a bullet in your head today was because my daughter was with you.”
I snorted. “Don’t act like you care about her. You’ve ignored her for years.”
“You don’t know shit, Benetti. Stay the fuck away from her.”
“Do you think I’m afraid of you? A coward who stole money and then disappeared? Ma dai, stronzo.”
“Again, you don’t know shit. If you don’t leave Val alone, you’d better watch your back. Because I’m coming for you.”
He disconnected.
Aldo spoke up in the front seat. “Was that Segreto? What did he want?”
I nodded. “He’s obviously nearby, watching her. He followed us to the city.” Thinking, I tapped my mobile on my leg. If I could get my hands on Segreto, I could find out why Rossi wanted him and what that had to do with Palmieri.
I rang my brother. Sergio picked up on the first ring. Before he said a word, I ordered, “Get your ass to New York and bring two dozen men with you.”