Chapter 15 Massimo
MASSIMO
“Shipment’s in. You on your way?” Gui asks.
“Yeah, I’m confirming some things with a supplier and will head over right after,” I say into my phone. “I’ll be there soon.”
Hanging up, I finish confirming our next shipment so I can get down to the warehouse and help the guys go over the inventory. With the delays they had at the border, we’re behind schedule, but with all hands on deck, we should get the product processed before the buyer picks up.
A knock sounds on my door. “Come in,” I call out, still focused on my computer.
“A courier just dropped this off for you,” Sheila says.
I drag my gaze to her, and she’s holding a manila envelope. She walks in and extends it out to me.
“A courier? Were we expecting any contracts today?”
“None. Would you like me to open it for you?” she asks.
“No, it’s fine.” I take the envelope from her. “I’m heading out for the day in the next couple of minutes. Make sure my calls are forwarded to you.”
“Absolutely. Is there anything you need before you leave?”
“No. Just get me the final numbers for the Tribeca building by tomorrow morning.”
“Will do, Mr. Bonetti.”
I give Sheila a nod, and she exits my office.
Flipping over the envelope, I open it and pull the document out. I scan it quickly and realize it’s from Liana.
The marriage contract.
I run through every line of the document, noting her signature at the bottom.
Everything is as discussed except she amended her last condition to get rid of the separate bedrooms. A smile tugs at my lips, knowing I’ve won this round. I’m breaking her down, and she doesn’t even realize it.
Taking my pen, I sign my name at the bottom of the contract, finalizing our agreement, then dial Liana’s number on my phone.
After a few rings, she answers. “Hello?”
“Well, wasn’t this a pleasant surprise,” I say, leaning back in my chair, a grin forming on my face.
“How did you get my number?”
“You should know I have my ways.”
“I’m assuming you got the contract?”
“I did indeed.”
“Do you accept all the conditions now?”
“I do. I already signed it.”
Liana doesn’t say a word.
I’m about to speak when she says, “I have one more request that I didn’t put in the contract.” Her words are low, as if she’s trying to keep from someone overhearing.
“Anything.”
That’s probably not the word I should’ve used given Liana’s history. She’s known to throw in some farfetched demands I would never agree to, but she’s caught me at a fucking joyous moment. Knowing I’m another step closer to making her mine has me willing to do just about anything to keep her.
“I don’t want Teo and Enzo knowing about our … arrangement. I just don’t want them to get involved. They’ve always known my stance on arranged marriages, so if they find out I’ve committed myself to one, it’ll cause a lot more drama than I need nor want.”
“When are you planning on telling them about us?
“I already called a family dinner with them tonight.”
“What about your friends? Have you told them?”
“Of course.”
“And you’re not worried they’ll tell them?”
“No. They’d never. We’re all extremely close. If I ask them not to tell the boys something, they won’t. I just … I know if Teo and Enzo find out, they’ll do everything in their power to keep me from going through with this marriage. I don’t want this to become a problem for them.”
“Interesting,” I say.
“How so?”
“Now that you bring it up, you could’ve gone to your cousins to help with convincing me to help with Tomasso.” It wouldn’t have worked, but she could’ve tried if she wanted to. “Why didn’t you?”
“Alessia came to me about this issue. She’s my responsibility. I don’t need my cousins to fix my problems.”
“You’re a proud woman, Liana. Can’t say I’m surprised in the least. You’re just adding to the reasons why I’ve always known you’re the woman for me.”
She scoffs, and I know she’s rolling her eyes on the other end. “That’s ridiculous. You don’t …”
“Let me guess, know you? One of these days, you’ll work your way out of that denial, Liana.”
“Whatever. So, what’re the next steps?”
“We’ll get married right away. Send me a list of guests you’d like to invite to the wedding. Keep in mind, we’ll be getting married in two weeks, so time is of the essence.”
“A list of guests?”
“Is that a problem?”
“I assumed this was going to be a quick little courthouse wedding.”
“You only get married once. Do you really want it to be in an old musty courthouse?”
“Well, you can’t put a wedding together in two weeks.”
“Two of New York City’s most influential people are getting married. I’m sure many will drop everything to make sure they’re in attendance no matter how short notice it is.”
“It’s not just the guest list. You need the location, food, music, florals, cake … The list goes on.”
“It’s a good thing I already have a wedding planner hired and ready to assist.”
“Seriously?”
“Like I said, time is of the essence, so we need to get a move on.”
“Why do you need an actual wedding?”
“My family is traditional, so a wedding is required. Besides, there are many people in the city who will want to see this union. The Liana DiMaggio is about to become a Bonetti.”
“Oh, I’m not taking your last name,” she says humorously.
I let out a sigh. “Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are,” I grind out. “That’s another nonnegotiable.”
“My brand is Liana DiMaggio. Condition number two is that you won’t mess with my business. My last name is my business.”
“Your last name will be changing, Liana. I’m not compromising when it comes to that.”
“You’re infuriating!” she exclaims.
“That makes two of us. Your last name will change to Bonetti. End of discussion.”
“We’ll see about that,” she mumbles so low I don’t think she expected me to hear it, so I don’t make another comment about it. I’m tired of arguing with her. She’ll be taking my last name whether she likes it or not.
“Look, I really don’t have time to plan a wedding in two weeks. Let’s just do this thing at the courthouse,” she says.
“No. Just get me your guest list, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“You’re going to handle the rest?”
“Unless you’ve changed your mind and would like to.”
“No. I couldn’t care less.” She’s quiet for a moment then says, “I’ll get you the list by the end of the day. It won’t be long. I don’t need many people at this sham of a wedding.”
“Whatever you want, mia moglie.”
Liana chokes, coughing a few times. “Don’t call me your wife. It’s weird.”
“You’ll get used to it. I’ll text you my email to send your guest list to. Talk to you later … mia moglie.”
I end the call with Liana before she can say anything.
Stuffing the contract back in the envelope, I put it in the top drawer of my desk. I’m about to gather my shit so I can meet my brothers at the warehouse, but another knock sounds on my door.
“Yeah?” I call out.
My eyes widen when my dad walks in.
“Massimo,” he says with a large smile as he walks over.
Standing from my desk, I greet him. “Dad, what’re you doing here?”
“We have some business to discuss.” He gestures to the chair next to him. “Mind if I take a seat, son?”
“Yes, please,” I say, sitting back down in my chair.
“It’s the end of the month, which means we have a marriage to discuss.
Your mother and I are planning on going to Italy in a few weeks, and I think it’d be best if you came with us.
There’s an annual masquerade party the Faracis put on that all the families attend.
I can introduce you to some important contacts at the event, and there are some families that would be good to partner ourselves with through a marriage. You can have your pick.”
“Actually, about that … The wedding date has been set. Two weeks from now.”
My dad’s brows rise to his hairline. “You finally got this mystery girl to say yes?”
I nod.
“Are you finally going to fill me in on who it is now that you got her to commit?”
“Liana DiMaggio,” I say with a proud smile on my face.
My dad sits back in his chair and crosses one leg over the other. “Liana DiMaggio,” he says slowly, as if he’s testing her name on his lips. “So that’s why you asked about her name not being on the list … And you got this on paper?”
“I did. Signed by both of us.”
“And you think she’ll follow through with it?”
“She has to.”
He raises a curious brow at me.
“Trust me, Dad. She’ll make it down the aisle.”
He’s silent for a moment until a grin finally breaks out on his face. “Well, then, I’m proud of you, son. I hadn’t considered Liana before, but I’m happy to say the alliance with the DiMaggios will be a strong one.”
I let out a sigh, relieved he approves of the union. “It will be,” I say.
“Once you marry, we’ll make your title in this family official. You should call your mother and let her know. You only have two weeks to pull this wedding off, and she’ll want to help.”
“I will.” I can’t help the damn smile that forms on my face, knowing I’m finally about to make Liana mine.