26. Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Six
Emilia
A n hour later, and decently sober, I head back home for another shower and maybe a short nap before my date.
As I round the corner to the street the gallery is on, I slow my steps and take my ear buds out when I see a silver town car stopped at the curb outside the gallery.
A man, who is clearly some kind of security, stands outside the idling vehicle, staring at the art filled gallery windows.
Something about him gives me pause. I decide to backtrack and head to the loading bay around the side, when I hear my name being called from the direction of the gallery. I ignore the voice and pick up my pace.
“Ms Walters?” I practically jump out of my skin as a large hand grabs my elbow from behind. “Sorry, Ms Walters, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I turn slowly to face the sheepish voice, surprised to see it belongs to the security guy. How the hell did he get to me so quickly? And quietly?
“Can I help you?” I ask, cautiously.
“Mr Rossi wanted to have a word with you.”
Relief floods me. “Oh, sure.” I smile up at him cheerfully, turning back towards the car when he gestures to me to walk ahead of him.
The security guy passes by me when we are near the car so he can open the rear passenger door, and gestures for me to enter.
I thank him with a nod and smile as I step down the curb to slide in.
“Just couldn’t wait for our date to see me, huh?” My smile and sassy quip die off quickly as I see that the man beside me on the back seat is not Vincenzo.
“Ms Walters, I thought it was past time that we met. I am Mario Rossi, Vincenzo’s father,” he says, his hand held out expectantly.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr Rossi.” I plaster on my professional mask with a smile and shake his proffered hand.
I have no idea what Vincenzo has told his family, if anything at all, about our relationship, so professional is the safest way to approach whatever this is.
Mario Rossi doesn’t release my hand after we stop shaking.
He holds my eye contact but says nothing for a few moments longer than what is polite.
I’ve had plenty of experience with this particular dick swinging move over the years.
Inwardly, I grin at his attempt to intimidate me.
Externally, I keep my face carefully neutral.
“I was sorry to hear of your father’s passing. My condolences.” His voice is perfunctory, like they are just the words he is required to say, rather than actually conveying any feeling. He lets go of my hand and turns sideways in the seat to face me.
I merely nod in response, my professional mask slipping slightly as the quick sting of pain in my chest flares.
It takes everything in me to sit still as his eyes rove over my face and body.
I’m sure my hair is a mess from being blown every which way from the wind.
My face is probably still red from the exertion of my walk.
I hadn’t planned to leave the apartment when I got dressed after my shower, so I doubt my outfit will leave a positive impression.
I resist the urge to look down at my feet to see if my socks at least match.
“My son tells me that he made an offer to purchase your father’s gallery, but that you were hesitant to sell at the time.
Given the protracted negotiations, I thought perhaps some face time with the head of the Rossi family might help to get the deal over the line.
So tell me, Ms Walters, what will it take to get you to sign on the dotted line? ”
Protracted negotiations? Vincenzo hadn’t raised the topic of the sale since the club. What the hell has he been telling his father? Vincenzo and I are going to need to have a talk about this, but I’ll play along for now.
“I just haven’t been presented with an offer enticing enough to persuade me to part with my family’s legacy.
You might not be aware, but this building with the apartment and gallery are all I have left of my parents.
” I choose my words carefully. I don’t want to admit that we haven’t discussed the sale.
And I get the feeling this man might be able to smell a lie a mile away.
“Ah, so the reluctance comes from not being ready to let go of the life you had with your family. I can understand that, and I respect it. Is there perhaps some offer you might entertain where we purchase the building now, with an option on the gallery in, say, twelve months’ time?
We would be happy to lease the gallery space back to you at an agreed rate, to give you some more time to consider the future. ”
“I’m not sure that I am really ready, right now, to move on or sell anything. And I mean that with the greatest respect, Mr Rossi.”
He nods his head as if understanding, though I seriously doubt he does.
I just need to get out of this car without offending Papa Rossi, and clear all of this up with Vincenzo at our date tonight.
Maybe if I stay on here, it will be the perfect excuse to not sell up.
Surely when Vincenzo finally tells his family about us, they will understand why it wasn't really a failure to secure the deal.
“I can see how this must be a difficult decision for you. And I understand, better than anyone, that family comes first. In fact, I was just having that same conversation with Vincenzo and his soon-to-be in-laws at dinner a few nights ago. It’s surprising how few people there are now that value tradition and family, more than money and deals. I can respect that.”
Wait. Soon-to-be in-laws? I feel my stomach drop and my face must pale.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Here I am talking happily about the expansion of my own family, when you are so clearly still grieving the loss of yours.” His words, however, are completely at odds with the spark of malevolence in his eyes. He obviously suspected I had no idea about Vincenzo’s engagement.
“If you are up for it, we would love for you to join us on the happy day. Kayla, my almost daughter-in-law, well, she has such big plans for the occasion.”
Kayla? The blonde bimbo from the club?
“There is always room for one more, though. I’m sure you know what these big society weddings are like.
So many people you barely know who are there.
Unless you are dating someone? Well, of course, you must be.
A young, beautiful, successful businesswoman like yourself could hardly be single.
I’m sure we could squeeze in a plus one, as well.
” His smile is like the Cheshire cat that just caught a mouse.
I fume inwardly. I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with men trying to use me like a pawn. If he wants to play, then perhaps I can get some answers from him too. Game on.
“I was seeing someone, but we recently parted ways. My focus has been more on the investigation into my father’s death.
The police believe he was poisoned. Between that and my work, I don’t have much time for anything else these days.
” A small surge of satisfaction when his cruel smile slips a little at my words. Your move, Papa Rossi.
“Ah, yes. I had heard there was an investigation. But I thought that had been officially closed and ruled accidental, forgive me. If I had known the investigation was still ongoing, I would never have raised the issue. I’m friends with the Police Commissioner.
I’ll give him a call and offer whatever support I can.
Perhaps a nudge from an influential family will assist in lighting a fire under them, to get you the answers you need for closure. ”
Whilst I can’t stand his tactics, and I am still not convinced Mario Rossi isn’t somehow involved in my father’s death. I have to give the man some credit. He won’t go down without a fight. But, just like most other powerful men, he underestimates me.
“The police did close the case, you heard correctly. But I have deployed resources of my own to investigate. They’re very close to uncovering the truth about who is responsible for my father’s death, actually.
As soon as I have that evidence in my hands, I will personally deliver it to the Commissioner so he will have no choice but to re-open the case and make immediate arrests.
I wouldn’t want the killer to get wind that the walls were closing in and try to do something stupid.
Like threaten me. Or run.” His eyes widen and give away his shock for a second before he recovers.
But it’s enough to tell me I’ve made my point.
I pat his hand in the most condescending way I can, and I smile sweetly at my opponent.
“But I do so appreciate your offer to assist. I think I have it all in hand, but I’ll reach out if I think of anything you can do.
And of course, I’m grateful for your understanding that until this investigation is wrapped up, my focus is exactly where it needs to be, and not on small things like the sale of property.
” I sit up taller in the seat, sure I have him on the ropes.
“Of course. Again, please accept my condolences for your loss, Ms Walters. I’ll be sure to let my son know you are, understandably, not entertaining offers to purchase at this time. He won’t be harassing you to move forward with a deal again.”
Shit.
Mario reaches into his breast pocket, and pulls out a pen and a business card, then scrawls something on the back.
“You will call me directly if there is anything my family can do to help, of course,” he hands over the card with his mobile number written on the back.
“Or, if you decide you want to discuss potential business deals in the future. Any time, day or night.”
Checkmate. Papa Rossi just outmanoeuvred me, and now I have absolutely no reason to be seeing Vincenzo.
I murmur my thanks as Mario taps the roof with his knuckle, and the car door opens.
Effectively dismissed, I get out of the car without another word.
I hurry back inside and upstairs to shower.
I need to speak to Vincenzo. Firstly, to find out what the fuck is going on with him being engaged to Kayla.
And secondly, I need to make it clear once and for all that Rossi Enterprises is not getting its hands on my home, or my gallery.