Chapter 6
KARINA
Knowing I’m a full-fledged mole for my uncle now, I do my best to avoid the Bellantis every chance I get.
I take long walks around the vineyard and spend a lot of time alone in my room, rereading the same Jane Austen novels I’ve read a hundred times already.
The familiar escape soothes me, though not as completely as it used to.
It worries me to know that I won’t be able to hide from Marco and his family forever.
But for now, it’s the only thing I can think of that will help protect them.
Meanwhile, I can’t interact with anyone without feeling a sense of overwhelming guilt and panic at what secrets my ring might pick up.
Though honestly, since I’ve been home, conversations have been minimal.
The men generally move out of earshot when they have to talk “business,” but even so, I imagine most of those types of discussions take place in the Bellanti offices, where I never go.
As for chatter around the dinner table, it’s mostly been focused on how Frankie is feeling during this last stage of her pregnancy or else construction updates on her and Dante’s custom-built house or the renovation going on at the old Abbott farmhouse, which is being converted into a B the other half are traditional. The shells are still slightly warm while the cream filling is slightly chilled. I don’t know how the Italians do it, but they’re geniuses. ”
I let out a sigh. “God, they smell amazing. I’m drooling.”
“They’re from this cute little bakery at Oxbow Public Market. I’ll take you there sometime for lunch.” Candi looks around. “Frankie mentioned she’d be here today, so I thought I’d pop in with treats while we talk shop. Is she in her office?”
I nod.
Candi turns that way, then looks back at me over her shoulder. “Aren’t you coming? We’ll put on a pot of decaf for Frankie and I’ll make us some espresso with her machine. It’s not torture if she at least gets to smell it, right?”
Oh, how I want to follow her. To immerse myself in some girls’ chat, and then sit quietly and soak it all in as they talk winery business.
I’ve learned so much from them already, everything from a crash course on grapes and winemaking to a peek into the sales and distribution end of things.
They work so well together, and it’s obvious that Candi has a very good relationship with the whole Bellanti clan.
But if I step into Frankie’s office, there’s no telling what they might discuss.
It could be dangerous for me to be there.
So for now, no cannoli for me.
“I wish I could, but I really have to get after these bottles,” I say.
Candi makes a confused face. “Don’t you have staff to deal with this today?”
“I already told Frankie I would do it. I don’t want to let her down. Plus, I haven’t gotten much done this week, and I’m technically a part-time employee, so…gotta earn my keep.”
She considers me for a moment, and then shrugs. “All right. I’ll save you a cannoli.”
“Thanks.” I give a little wave, but then a thought pops into my head. “Hey, wait—will you be back here at all this week?”
“Yup. I’ll have some purchase orders to be signed on Friday.”
“Great. I was going to ask if you’d be interested in possibly going over the purchase orders with me? I’m curious about how that whole process works. If not, maybe another time?”
It’s not an odd request. She knows that I’ve been trying to learn everything I can about the wine business. And she’s been instrumental in helping me figure things out as I go.
Candi grins. “It’s not the most exciting part of the job, but sure. Why don’t I pick you up Friday morning and you can tag along while I visit a couple other vendors and negotiate orders?”
Excellent. That would remove me from the house and keep me away from the Bellantis for most of the day. I nod.
“Perfect. I’d love that.”
She smiles and continues to the office.
There. Disaster averted again.
It seems like Candi has been around more often lately.
I’m not sure what the purchase orders involve, but I know she and Armani have had a lot of meetings lately.
Although it might not be all business…it’s obvious there’s a spark between the two, even if neither of them seems in a hurry to act on it.
I wonder what she sees in him. Or maybe the reason she doesn’t make a move is because she recognizes something dark inside that man.
Too bad I can’t tell her what he’s really like. Not that my assessment is completely fair. I’m coming at this family as an outsider. As the niece of a rival mob boss. Armani’s fierce, protective nature would be a benefit if it was used to keep me safe, wouldn’t it?
I think about that for a moment. If the tables were turned, wouldn’t I want somebody like Armani on my side? I would. There’s no doubt.
Unfortunately, the ugly fact is that right now, we’re playing for opposite sides.
And if Armani finds out, I’m as good as dead.