Chapter 25
KARINA
The second Livvie Abbott walked through the front door, alive and unharmed, the entire atmosphere inside the Bellanti house changed.
It was as if the emotional fog instantly cleared, taking the weight over all of our heads with it.
Frankie had immediately whisked her younger sister away, and the two of them have been in a private cocoon with their mother and Charlie since last night.
Dante and Marco had looked exhausted but relieved.
Armani, as usual, disappeared without speaking to anyone.
I hadn’t wanted Marco to go to Bear Valley with his brothers at all, but I’d understood his reasoning. The Bellantis were bound by blood, and they had each other’s backs like no other; it would have been difficult for Marco and Dante to place their faith in an outsider for such a dire mission.
Still, I know I wasn’t the only one feeling sick with worry for them.
The entire time they were gone—almost nine hours—I’d sat with Frankie and her mom in the living room, making small talk and pretending to watch TV in a futile attempt to distract ourselves.
The tension didn’t break until Armani texted to say they were on their way back with Livvie…
and even then, I know we were still anxious about them making it home to the Bellanti compound in one piece.
But they did, and it was maybe the happiest reunion I have ever witnessed.
Livvie threw her arms around me and thanked me for my help, and it was all I could do to not burst into tears along with her.
And Marco—I was extremely surprised when he grabbed me afterward and pulled me into his arms. His embrace was genuine, warm, and went on for a long time.
I didn’t question it or ask him why. I was happy to just lean into it and enjoy the moment.
By the time I got out of the shower minutes later, Marco was already asleep in bed with his clothes still on.
He’s been good at hiding it, but I think the heaviness of everything that has happened lately has taken a great toll on him.
Maybe now that Livvie is home safe, his mind and body will feel like they can finally relax.
The next morning, it’s just Marco, Armani, and me for breakfast. Frankie and her mom finally convinced Livvie to go to a doctor’s appointment, so Dante had taken them.
I can’t imagine what Livvie has been through, and not just physically.
My own experiences with my uncle have scarred me in ways I’m still discovering.
I hope that Livvie can start healing soon.
After Armani excuses himself to head into the office, Marco turns to me with an apologetic look on his face, seeming as if he’s struggling to speak.
“Oh no. What’s wrong?” I ask, preparing myself for bad news.
“Nothing, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to see if you’d be able to help me with something today…”
“Something I won’t like?”
He frowns. “Probably. I’m having Jessica’s office cleared out,” he says quietly. “I completely understand if you don’t feel comfortable with it, I just—”
“Oh. Yeah, no, I get it. I can help you do that.” I nod, giving his shoulder a little squeeze.
Truthfully, no, I’m not comfortable pawing through Jessica’s things. But I don’t want Marco to have to do it all by himself. I feel guilty enough over her death as it is, but he must feel ten times worse. The least I can do is offer my support.
When we enter the Bellanti offices, the place seems eerily silent.
It’s not until we pass the employees cleaning out Jessica’s office that I understand why.
Everyone knows what happened to her, and now all of her things are being carried into Marco’s office for sorting and disposal.
It can’t feel good knowing that one of your longtime colleagues was the victim of an as-yet unsolved drive-by.
Especially given that everyone here knows it had to be Mafia related.
“You sure this is okay?” Marco asks.
I nod.
“I offered to do this, just so you know. Only because I have the least amount of responsibility for the family business. I figured the least I could do was take this off my brothers’ hands.”
“I understand.”
Marco gestures to four heavy duty file boxes in the middle of the room, which sit beside a smaller cardboard box that looks to be filled with personal effects.
“Maybe start by pulling files out of that first box. Anything stamped with the Bellanti logo goes in one pile. Unmarked files go in another.”
“Got it.”
As I get to work, Marco starts sorting through the personal items. Photographs, phone charger, earbuds, a mug.
I try not to look, but I can sense he’s a little subdued.
And the way his gaze flickers to me, lingers, and then darts away when I catch him suggests that there’s something he wants to say to me.
“Do you want to talk about last night?” I finally ask. “The whole thing with Livvie?”
“It was…” He pauses. “It could have been a lot worse. I’m just glad I didn’t die, I guess.”
One corner of his mouth turns up wryly.
“Me, too,” I say. “I’m just glad it’s over. And I’m glad I could help.”
Except I worry that it’s not really over. Knowing my uncle, I won’t be surprised if the Bruno clan retaliates in some way. I don’t know how something like this ever stops when it’s mob family against mob family. It’s a constant game of tit for tat.
“She wouldn’t be back home if not for you,” he adds. “We can’t thank you enough.”
His praise makes me feel good, but I don’t respond. I continue looking through the file boxes, feeling sorry for Jessica as I do. I may not have liked her, but she deserved better.
Just then, my cell phone rings. It’s Frankie. I turn away from Marco and pick up.
“Frankie? Is everything okay? How’d the doctor visit go?”
“Yup. We’re just on our way back from Livvie’s appointment. They gave her some pills to help her sleep, but otherwise she’s doing a lot better than we thought.”
“God, I’m so glad. That’s great,” I say, turning back toward Marco with a thumbs-up.
“It is!” she says. “So we thought we’d celebrate with a family dinner tonight. I’ve already spoken to Alain about the menu, and I was wondering if you’d like to choose the wine?”
“Me?”
Frankie laughs. “In a wine family like this, choosing the wines for a family gathering is considered a huge honor. As far as I’m concerned, you are the guest of honor this evening. So, yes, I would love for you to choose the wine.”
“Okay. I’ll pick the wine for us tonight.”
I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so big. Even though I don’t know a damn thing about wine.
Marco comes over to me and quietly whispers, “Ask her what’s on the menu.”
Frankie is happy to recite her food selections, which sound incredibly fancy, and then we hang up. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I feel a burst of panic.
“Help,” I blurt out. “What kind of wine goes with caviar pizza, lobster with truffles, and seafood risotto? I’m completely out of my element. Frankie and the chef went all out.”
Marco smiles. “Don’t worry, this kind of thing is in my blood. Sit down and I’ll give you a quick course on pairing wines.”
He pulls a chair next to mine and grabs a clipboard from his desk. Then I watch as he writes down the different types of wine, their notes, and what they pair well with.
“So, according to your little chart here, I should pick a…sauvignon blanc?” I say. “Or maybe a chardonnay?”
“Beautiful,” Marco says. “Why don’t I take you to the tasting room when we’re done in here so you can sample a few varietals? That should help you feel more confident.”
As Marco leads me through my miniature wine tasting, I find myself having an amazing time, my feelings of being a perpetual outsider dwindling away.
He’s attentive and informative and genuinely seems to enjoy teaching me about what his family does, and of course I’m thrilled to learn.
Before we know it, the afternoon has flown by and it’s time to head to the main house.
“I’m going to get changed,” Marco says. “You go ahead and pick out a few bottles to bring to the meal tonight. Just let Greg know what you’re taking.”
Greg is the tasting room director and head sommelier, and he was happy to give me and Marco access to all the wine storage areas. I hope he’ll let me know if I’ve made a good choice.
“Sounds good. See you soon,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel.
He leaves me to it, and after taking a little longer than I should to select the wine (which is wholeheartedly Greg-approved), I head back to the house.
Happy voices echo through the first floor as I run to my room to change into a simple blue dress and flats.
When Marco and I enter the dining room together, I see that Livvie is positively glowing in her seat between Frankie and their mother.
Dante sits at the head of the table, Armani on his left.
Marco and I sit beside Armani, and Charlie and her husband beside us.
For the first time since I’ve arrived in this home, the room is filled with palpable joy and good cheer.
Chef Alain and his staff set out the dishes of food, announcing each one with a flourish.
As Frankie mentioned, there is pizza topped with caviar, smoked salmon, and crème fra?che; luscious lobster with a truffle butter sauce, shallots, and cauliflower; and seafood risotto.
I’ve never seen so many luxurious ingredients all together like this before.
There is also a fresh microgreens salad with shaved parmesan and anchovy balsamic vinaigrette, cold lemon-garlic broccolini, and grilled watermelon.
Once our loaded plates are set in front of us, I’m up.
Taking a deep breath, I move to the sideboard and pick up the first bottle, which I’m sure will be dispatched quickly.
I turn toward the family and explain that it’s a medium-bodied Bellanti Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc with notes of citrus, peach blossom, and green herbs, brightly acidic with (as I was told by Marco) a steady finish.