Chapter 22 Balthazar
TWENTY-TWO
balthazar
Sitting around Deo’s family table for another delicious meal is starting to feel too normal. Like I belong here. Nonna is talking about the recipe her grandmother gave her for the bucatini amatriciana we’re having tonight, and the love and respect for this matriarch is palpable.
After the dishes are cleared and we’re just relaxing, Deo shoots me a nervous glance as he clears his throat.
“I have something I’d like to discuss about the business.”
His dad and uncle stop speaking, Nantes and Guiliano look interested, and the women are about to leave the table when Deo continues. “Actually, I’d like everyone to stay.”
I’m surprised he’s not waiting for Brogan to be here, but maybe he’s too anxious to hold off.
Nonna settles in her seat, her brow crinkling. “Go on.”
Deo glances at me again and I nod, giving him a smile for reassurance. He wasn’t sure when he wanted to bring it up, but somewhere during the day he must have decided the time was now.
“I’ve been thinking about ways to increase sales.” His voice shakes slightly but he doesn’t falter. “I know Grandpa had his thoughts about choosing Robin’s Grove for the name, but, um, well, I was thinking about changing it.”
Nonna gasps softly. “To what?”
“Benedetti Wines and Vineyard.”
No one says a word. Deo’s brothers are focused on their dad and uncle, as are Deo’s mom and aunt. I’m focused on Nonna though.
“It’s more international sounding,” Deo adds. “We could appeal to consumers outside the region. Maybe even nationwide, if we stick the marketing.”
His father turns his stern gaze to me. “Is this your suggestion?”
I open my mouth to speak but Deo puts his hand over mine. “Obviously Balt, in his consulting role, has made recommendations, but I’m the one deciding if we should move in any given direction.”
His response impresses me. I turn my hand over and squeeze back, but he keeps his gaze locked with his father’s.
“Things have changed a lot in fifty years,” Deo says. “We need to be willing to change with the times if we want to thrive. I realize these decisions are on my shoulders now, but I’d like your approval and support to make a change this big.”
Everyone looks at Nonna at the same time. She has her hands folded on the table, her head bowed, and it’s so quiet all I can hear is everyone’s breathing.
After a long pause, Deo exhales slowly. “Nonna?”
She lifts her head, her eyes glassy and cheeks flushed. “I’m so proud of you. You’re a brave man. It took a lot of guts to come in here and ask something like that.”
No one says a word while we wait for her to continue.
“All your grandfather ever wanted was a family legacy. He wanted to leave something behind, something for future generations. He was a stubborn old mule.” She smiles warmly.
“It was actually the first name he came up with, Benedetti, but he was swayed by his initial investor, who was a friend and a banker in town. Opening a vineyard and producing wine in Wisconsin is no easy task, and Bob, the friend, thought a local name would give consumers trust in us. He was right for many decades.”
Deo nods, but remains silent.
“You’re right now though, Deo,” Nonna continues.
“Times have changed. No one could have imagined what the world would be like now and after the internet. Brogan showed me a video from someone in Japan, all the way across the world, right here in this dining room.” She smiles, nodding.
“The world has changed, and it’s time for the younger generations to take the reins.
Your grandfather wanted to leave something for his family, and he did that. What you do with it now is up to you.”
“Thank you, Nonna.” Deo looks at his father and uncle. “What do you think?”
Larry and Salvo exchange brief glances and Salvo nods.
“We think it’s our position to support you and provide historical information when needed, but when we handed you the reins, we stepped back from having opinions about what happens next.”
“But I want you to be happy and supportive. Even though I’m the one behind the desk, it’s still a family business. I want you to be proud of it.”
“It’s hard to hear,” Salvo admits. “The apples didn’t fall far from the stubborn tree. We’ve been set in our ways—inherited that from our dad—and continuing to run things the way he did, but it’s obvious that isn’t working anymore.” He glances at Larry. “I think it’s a good idea.”
Larry, with his hands folded on the table, finally nods. “I do too. It sounds nice.”
Deo visibly relaxes as he smiles. “Thank you. I want to work with Brogan to design a marketing campaign and relaunch the brand. Something modern but sophisticated. I think our target market should be people 25-45.”
“What is that based on?” Larry asks.
“More willingness to try new brands. They aren’t stuck on a specific company yet. We can lure them in with new marketing. I think we should pivot away from the current market we appeal to.”
“Because they’re all dying,” Nonna throws out. “It’s a decreasing audience.”
Deo nods. “Yes. We’ve had loyal customers, but the decline isn’t because they don’t like it anymore. It’s because they aren’t here or they’re retired. The three big restaurants that used to order from us are all closed now. To compete, we have to be visible to younger generations.”
Larry studies his son for a moment. “You learned a lot while you were away.”
“Nothing about the wine business, but business in general. I can apply it to this.”
Larry pats his brother’s arm. “I’d say the company is in good hands.”
“I agree,” Salvo says.
Nonna beams with pride. “Everything is gonna be fine now.”
“We have a long way to go,” Deo says, “but this is a start.”
My front pocket vibrates, startling me. Who’s calling my personal phone? I haven’t had a call or text in weeks.
I rise from the table. “Excuse me.”
Slipping into the living room, I glance down at my phone. It’s my sister. I immediately hit the button to return her call.
“Hello?”
“Loralei? It’s me. You called?”
“Where are you?”
“Why?”
She blows out a shaky breath. “Some men showed up here looking for you. They said they’ll be back in two weeks if they don’t hear from you.”
A frigid shiver moves through me. “Men? Did they leave a name?”
“They said you would know. What is this about?”
“Fuck.” I rub my forehead. “Did this happen today?”
“Less than an hour ago. Are you wrapped up in some Mafia shit? After everything that happened?”
“It’s not like that, Lore. I’m not…” My words trail off as I fail to defend myself. “It’s not the same as Dad.”
“Really? Because I seem to recall men showing up at our house and then Mom and Dad were dead. Fucking dead. Do I need to be afraid?”
“No. I’ll handle it. I’ll call right away. It’s just a misunderstanding.”
“I lied to them and told them you were here but you left. I hope that was the right move.”
My chest tightens with emotion. “Thank you. It was the right move.”
“You have to figure this out.”
“I will. I’ll tell you more once I clear things up. I’d rather you not know now.”
“Oh god, you’re in trouble. They’re gonna kill you.”
“No.” I shake my head. “They won’t. I’ve been stalling, but I’ll call and handle it. I promise. If anyone shows up again, please call me.”
“Right after I shoot the motherfuckers.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “You’re a tough one.”
“I don’t have a choice.” She exhales in a huff. “I never thought you would get involved with this stuff after what happened to our folks.”
“It’s not what you think. I swear. I had a plan, but it got away from me. I’ll fix it.”
“If you say so. Let me know when it’s safe again.”
“I will.”
She ends the call and I slump into the nearby armchair. It’s been years since I’ve heard her voice and that wasn’t the reunion I hoped for. Vin found my sister. He knew that was how he could get me to come out of the shadows. Now I’ve got two weeks or less to figure out how to get them off my back.
“Everything okay?”
I startle when Nonna speaks, forcing a smile to my face. “Yes.”
She sits across from me, a kind smile on her lips. “I overheard you on the phone. You’re in trouble.”
I shake my head. “No. Just a misunderstanding. I’ll call my boss in the morning and work it out.”
She nods, but her gaze pins me in place. “Not all bosses are reasonable. True?”
I swallow hard. “True.”
“What happens when they come here? What happens to Amadeo?”
My jaw drops as I replay my conversation with my sister. I don’t think I said anything overly incriminating, did I?
“I’ve been around the block a few times.” She’s still smiling. “If you need help, you should tell us, but if you do something to hurt my grandson, well, you won’t like me very much anymore.”
I’m stunned speechless. Sweet little Nonna just threatened me. My lips move, but no words come out.
“Well?”
Clearing my throat, I sit up a little straighter. “I care about Deo.”
“Obviously. That’s why he could be in danger if your boss figures it out.”
“He, um, doesn’t know where I’m at.”
“But he got to someone you care about?”
“My sister.”
“There aren’t a lot of bosses who track down family members when they just want to talk.”
I shake my head. “No.”
She stands, staring me down. “I assume you know what you’re doing, but you aren’t alone. I could help. Does Deo know?”
Filled with shame, I shake my head.
“I didn’t think so.”
“I won’t let him get hurt. Any of you. I’ll leave.”
“You’ll break his heart. Especially when he hears your boss retired you. Permanently.”
A shiver moves down my spine. How the hell does this sweet old lady know what I’m dealing with?
“I wasn’t born in Wisconsin,” she says, as if she can read my thoughts. “I came here as a young bride of twenty with Amadeo’s grandfather. We heard it was a good place to raise a family far away from New York and a lot of the trouble we ran from in Naples.”
Her meaning sinks in.
“But we weren’t entirely free. We both had family, blood relatives, who didn’t escape and came to us many times. I’ve seen things. My own brother was involved. He was gunned down the night before he was supposed to go to trial.”
“Oh god.”
“Your blood would run cold from the stories I could tell you. I can spot it from a thousand miles away. I admit, you had me confused at the beginning. You don’t conduct yourself like someone involved in the business. But hearing your call, I knew it.”
“I’m not involved. Not the way you might think.”
“Any interaction is involvement. You work with their money?” She shakes her head. “It doesn’t get much more dangerous than that.”
“I didn’t know when I went to them. I had reasons.”
“We all do. That’s how they manage to survive.”
“Right.”
“You need a plan.”
“I know.” I reach out and grab her hand. “Please don’t tell Deo. I don’t want to put him in any kind of danger.”
“I won’t. At least for now. I guess the good news is they aren’t tracking you, or they’d already be here.”
“I’ve made sure. They don’t know I have a personal phone, and I keep my business phone turned off.”
“That’ll work for a while.”
I rub my forehead. “Your family has been amazing to me, and I’m very grateful. I thought it would blow over.”
“It never blows over, son. What did you do?”
“Nothing. It’s a rumor.”
She raises an eyebrow? “Nothing?”
“Mostly,” I mumble. “They gave my sister two weeks before they return. I’ll figure something out before then.”
She nods. “Godspeed.”
Opening her arms, she gestures for me to accept her hug, and I do, getting to my feet and letting her wrap me in her embrace. It’s been ages since I’ve had a warm, familial hug, and I missed it. So damn much.
“Everything okay?”
Deo’s voice startles me and Nonna and I separate. She pats my arm, smiling and kissing Deo’s cheek as she passes him on her way back to the dining room.
“Everything’s fine. We were just chatting.”
“The phone call?”
“Nothing important.” The lie tastes bitter, but I have to protect him. “Dinner wrapping up?”
He nods, stepping closer. “Thanks for your stoic support during dinner. I felt brave just having you next to me.”
“You are brave, and you don’t need me, but I’m glad to be here.”
“It was your suggestion, and it’s a damn good one. I’ve been so wrapped up in the mess of figuring things out, I haven’t had time to be strategic yet.” He runs his hands down my chest. “So thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Deo steps even closer, a mischievous smile on his lips. “That’s right. Your pleasure. That’s mine, you know?”
“That so?”
“Yep. I have plans for you.” His teeth graze his bottom lip. “I can’t wait.”
“Now you’re teasing me.”
“Just part of the fun, handsome.”
Searching his eyes, I’m flooded with a wave of emotions and thoughts. I don’t want to leave him yet, but I can’t be selfish. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to him or his family. That’s not an option. Besides, Nonna will have my balls.
Tomorrow I’ll call Vin and try to reason with the most unreasonable man on the planet. Should be fine.