Chapter 9
NINE
Damiano
Though I'd prefer to be at home with Violetta right now, I couldn't allow Olivia to come on her date with Piotr Reznov alone. It's not only because our family holds some traditional views but also that she's spoiling for a fight. She's been in a foul mood since I arrived home this evening.
When she's unsettled, my cousin likes to push against the restraints of living in our world, to see what she'll get away with. Tonight she looks ready to break something.
As I open the car door for Olivia, she flashes a look of annoyance at me, but I detect her underlying fear. Though Piotr framed it as a simple dinner when he asked for this in return for the favor he did her, my cousin is smart enough to know that he wants more.
Her brother has accepted Piotr as a suitable husband for her and it's only a matter of time before Olivia is forced to accept the inevitable.
"I'd prefer to go in alone," Olivia says when I follow her to the door of Gianetta's.
"Why?"
"I don't know. It just feels like…. It's what I need to do."
She wants to stand on her own two feet, to show Piotr she doesn't need backup. That's something I can respect.
"Okay, I'll wait in the parking lot across the street for you."
"Thank you."
She kisses my cheek and I pat the top of her head. She hates when I do that,
I watch as she walks toward the door of the restaurant, pausing to straighten her spine before disappearing inside.
Getting back into the car, I pull off the road and find a space in the small parking lot. I kill the engine and take my phone from my pocket to call Antonio in New York. He answers quickly.
"Is it Lorenzo?"
His obvious fear for my brother is gratifying. We've always been close even if an ocean separates us. "No, he's recovering well. I wanted to let you know Olivia is having dinner with Piotr."
"When?"
"Now. Tonight."
"She's alone with him?" Antonio asks.
"She is. I thought you gave him permission."
"I did." There's uncertainty in Antonio's voice.
"Look, Antonio, I trust Piotr. He's a good friend."
"Yeah, I know. It's just Olivia…"
He doesn't finish the thought, but I get it. Things with Piotr could easily turn sour. Olivia is willful and she has a tendency to say what's on her mind, no matter what the cost.
It's one of the things I love about her. I appreciate a strong woman, which brings my mind back to Violetta, as it always seems to lately.
"She'll be fine."
"Do you think I made a mistake telling Piotr he could have her?"
"It's a good alliance. Piotr works closely with me and with you. It's the right move for us all."
"Yes, but what about Olivia?"
"He'll be good to her."
"But will she be happy?"
"That, I can't answer."
We chat for a few minutes more about business and then end the call. As I'm putting my phone away, I spot Olivia storming across the parking lot. Even from a distance, I can tell she's furious.
I jump out of the car, slamming the door behind me. Before I can ask her what's wrong and if I need to kill my fucking friend, Piotr marches up behind her, grabs her arm and starts to drag her away.
"Reznov!" I yell in warning.
"Starne fuori."
I bristle at being told to stay out of whatever is going on, but this is a personal matter, not a business one, so I choose not to interfere. Shaking my head at the drama that follows my cousin wherever she goes, I get back in the car.
A few minutes pass before Piotr brings Olivia back. Their body language is tense. They trade a few barbs and then my cousin gets into the car. I turn on the engine and pull out of the parking lot.
"Date went well?" I ask drily.
"He says we're getting married in a week." Olivia laughs mirthlessly. "A fucking week, Damiano!"
"That's a pretty long engagement for your family."
Olivia twists in her seat to hit me with the full force of her glare. "Are you trying to be funny?"
"I was trying to lighten the mood."
"Well, don't." She settles back in her seat. "You lack the charm to pull it off."
That hits me harder than it should.
"I used to be considered quite charming."
"When?" Olivia demands. "When you were a baby? I've known you all my life and you've always been an enormous asshole."
I frown. "What, precisely, have I ever done to you?"
"Nothing personally, but you facilitate everyone else, don't you.
Antonio wants me out of sight, so you say sure, send her here.
Matteo gets fed up with me, so you move me into your place.
Piotr wants a date, so you deliver him to me.
You think you're some sort of king but you're just doing everyone else's bidding. "
"That's not true."
"It is, and it's pathetic."
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel. "Watch it, Olivia."
Upset or not, I won't let her disrespect me. Pouting, she turns dramatically to look out of the window, but I know she's not finished pouring out her rage and frustration yet. Olivia doesn't relent so easily.
She manages to hold in her emotions until we get back to the palazzo. I've barely stopped the car before she flings herself out of it with such recklessness she lands on her knees on the gravel driveway. I hurry to help her, but she pushes to her feet and storms into the house.
Heels clicking on the marble flooring, she storms into the sitting room, startling Violetta, who's on the sofa with a book in her lap. With her legs curled up under her, she looks like she belongs here.
Her big amber eyes follow Olivia as my cousin goes straight to the drinks cabinet at the far side of the room. Olivia pours herself a large Scotch and gulps it straight down before pouring another.
"Should I…" Violetta looks toward the door.
"No, stay where you are."
"Yes, Violetta, stay where you are," Olivia sneers. "Witness for yourself what assholes the men in this family are. Oh, wait, you already know, since this one locked you in a fucking basement before deciding to take you out and play with you."
"Enough, Olivia!" I roar. Taking a deep breath, I calm myself. "Your brother wants you to marry Reznov and that's an end to it."
"Oh, the great Damiano Volante says that's the end of it so I guess that's that." Olivia turns to Violetta. "Get out while you still can. Women are nothing more than cattle around here."
"Olivia." As I take a step toward her, she hurls her glass across the room. It smashes off the wall, shattering into a hundred pieces. She barges past me, eyes glistening with tears, and leaves the room.
When she's gone, I rub my forehead. What a shitshow. I turn to look at Violetta, whose face betrays her shock.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," I say wearily.
She bites her bottom lip. "Olivia's scared."
"She's a spoiled brat."
"No." Violetta shakes her head sadly. "She's scared."
I nod, because she's right, and sink down onto the edge of the sofa. Violetta comes and sits next to me, close but not touching. She surprises me by taking my hand and squeezing it. I like it.
"Does she have to marry this man?"
"It's what her brother wants."
"And what she wants doesn't matter?" There's an edge of irritation in her voice now.
"Olivia is young. She doesn't know what she wants."
Violetta huffs out a breath. "She does. She just doesn't want to be pushed into it."
"What do you know about it?" I don't intend to sound as hostile as I do.
"We spent the afternoon picking out clothes together. We talked." Violetta releases my hand. "And believe it or not, Damiano, women don't want to feel like they're merely pawns in the games powerful men play."
"You're talking about yourself." Of course she is.
She shrugs. "I'd like to think I'm worth more than some piece of land."
"It's seventy acres."
"Still…."
I study her for a long moment before getting to my feet. I cup my palm around her cheek and she looks up at me with those huge eyes.
"You're worth more than seventy acres, Violetta, which is why I won't let anyone else have you."
And that's a big fucking problem.
Before she can respond with excuses I don't want to hear right now, I turn and leave the room.