Matteo adds, “Some vineyards didn’t even know they’d been robbed until the police showed up and told them they had some of their barrels.”
How is that even possible?
Giovanni shares, “Most of the barrels were Bellissima because of Sophia’s access. She took them from right under Andy’s nose.”
Andy’s father speaks in rapid-fire Italian, I don’t understand a word. Everyone is nodding their head and Chiara looks at me and translates what he said. “They weren’t prepared for Andreas to put trackers on the barrels. She was hoping he wouldn’t notice the missing wine.” He shakes his head in disgust. “We’ve known thieves in our business before, but never from our own family.” He looks away from the table and dabs his eyes.
Chiara reaches for her father’s hand. “When it was becoming obvious, she and Luke escalated their thievery and hoped to run away after they bottled the wines in a few months.”
“Where were they storing the barrels?”
Andy’s quick to answer. “Her husband had built a barn that he had temperature controlled on the back of their property.”
“Wait, how did no one notice a big barn on her land?”
“Their property is a few acres, but it’s long and narrow, so it was built behind the house and wasn’t noticeable from the road. Plus, people put up barns for all sorts of reasons.” Andy shrugs as if it’s hard to explain.
I’m still confused how they moved wine barrels full of wine around without being noticed. No one has answered the obvious either. “Do you know why she hit you?”
“It was actually Luke who hit me with a shovel. I’m lucky that’s all he did. I surprised them when I came in. They thought they’d disarmed the alarm when they cut the power.”
“Why didn’t she use her code?”
Matteo bitterly explains, “She knew if she did, the system would log the time of her entrance.”
“I’m really sorry.”
Matteo sits back in his chair and looks around the table at all of us. “We trusted our sister. If we can’t trust family, who can we trust?” Looking at Andy, he continues, “Don’t blame yourself. She’ll go to jail, and she can think about what she did wrong.”
The table erupts into Italian, and I’m immediately lost.
Andy whispers in my ear, “They’ll be angry with Sophia for a very long time.”
Andy was at the police station all day being interviewed and briefed. “The police have met with everyone involved here at Bellissima and other vineyards she and Luke stole from. She worked with an attorney and took a plea deal. She’ll spend three years in jail and then be deported when she’s released. “I’ve told her she can go home to Bellissima Grande. Luke laid the blame squarely at her feet, and has also served her with divorce papers.”
I’m stunned that they feel she’s getting what she deserves. We all know Luke had a heavy hand in what happened. Loyalty obviously means everything to them, but she chose him over family, so the family will pretend she doesn’t exist until she comes groveling and apologizes—which may likely never happen, and that’s clearly okay with them.
Her father nods. “She cannot work in any part of the business at any location.”
Matteo shares, “I love her, but I’ll never forgive her.”
Everyone nods.
“Does Luke get off without any repercussions?” I ask.
“No, he’ll serve three years for the assault against me.”
“Thank goodness for that silver lining.”
“I still love my sister. I know she was influenced by an evil man. I knew he wasn’t good enough for her, but she was happy and now look. She’s a woman with no country, no family, and her husband is doing nothing to keep her.”
I feel really bad for Sophia. She was always very nice to me. I know what she did was wrong, but if losing your family, your country, your business, and your husband all at one time isn’t hitting rock bottom, I don’t know what is.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Andy
Leaving Chiara and Michael in charge at Bellissima Valle was hard, but Giovanni is continuing the audit of our books while Chiara works on training Michael, who I promoted to a new position—operations manager. He was thrilled, and we believe there’s no one better qualified for the job.
This is my first trip to Hawaii. This is a very small wedding with close friends and family in Poipu on the island of Kauai. We’ve all been given the lecture on how to spot the paparazzi, and they chartered a plane for everyone. It’s beyond extravagant, and Genevieve is constantly saying, “Hey, Papa, look at this!” Greer’s friends are media darlings for the paparazzi, and all the family and friends are on the plane—but not the bride and groom. They went in a smaller private and jetted up to Anchorage to throw any possible press off their tracks. They’ll change planes and be here a few hours after we arrive.
I’m in awe of the beauty around us. When we land in Poipu, we’re met at the airport by a friendly couple, each carrying purple orchid leis. They welcome us one at a time and singsong, “Welcome to Hawaii!” while they place a lei over our heads. Once we’re all ready, they take us by a small coach with privacy windows to the estate of a friend of Trey’s family.
The Andersons have lived on the island for generations. They were sugar plantation owners and bought most of the island from King Kamehameha in the mid-1800s. Over time, they’ve become the largest landowner on the island, and while they no longer produce sugar, they dabble in several businesses and are in the environmental forefront. Their estate overlooks a stunning emerald green patchwork quilt of a valley and the golden sands of the beach. Luxurious doesn’t even begin to describe the house, and its location. I know it’s Hawaii, but this can’t be normal.
We’re greeted by Patrick Anderson, the great-grandson of the founder of the estate and close friend of Trey’s. “Aloha. Welcome to the Anderson Sugar Plantation.”
We all exit the coach and watch as Patrick’s staff unloads our luggage.
“Each of you has a room here on the estate. We have several jeeps for those of you who want to go exploring, and I’ve made arrangements for helicopter tours of the island. But first, let’s get you to your rooms. We can all meet up here in say”—he looks at his watch—“an hour? We’ll have a toast to the happy couple, who will hopefully be here by then.”
A beautiful petite Hawaiian woman dressed in a floral print dress with a fragrant plumeria flower tucking her chocolate brown hair behind her ear steps forward and begins reading from a clipboard. She calls us each by name, and a houseman picks up our luggage and takes us to our room.
Genevieve and I are in a room next to Greer. “Papa, you know I don’t need you to stay with me. You can stay with Greer. I know you two have done ‘it.’”
I’m not going to talk about my sex life with my daughter. At eleven years old, she doesn’t understand relationships and sex, and Melanie and I decided we weren’t going to throw that in her face. “We aren’t married, so we stay separately. I expect the same from you one day.”
She rolls her eyes in a way only a teenage girl can do.
“I thought I’d take Greer for a walk along the beach. Would you be okay if we did that?”
She shrugs. “Sure.”
“We’ll meet you in an hour downstairs.” I knock on the door to Greer’s room as I enter. “Cuore mio?”
Greer walks out of the bathroom, already changed from the jeans and sweater she wore on the airplane into a beautiful red flowered dress and sandals. She walks over to me with open arms. “Hey, handsome.” Placing her hands around my neck, she kisses me aggressively. My cock stirs, and I want so much to take her here, but I have a plan, and part of that’s a conversation I want to have with her.
“You up for a walk along the beach?”
“Sounds perfect. Where’s Genevieve?”
“She wants to play on her phone and call her mother.”
“The ocean is so beautiful here. Let’s go check it out.”
Hold
ing hands, we follow the sounds of crashing waves. I feel like a young schoolboy excited to be with a girl. We slip our shoes off as the grass becomes sand, stopping to take in the warm breeze and crashing waves. Greer pulls me toward the water. “I love the ocean here.” We dip our toes in, and I’m shocked at how warm it is. “I’m really glad you and Genevieve were able to come with me for Trey and Sara’s wedding.”
“This is beautiful. Thank you for including us. I’m embarrassed to admit, I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. Genevieve has pointed out that this is the event of the decade.”
She laughs the most beautiful song. “Trey and CeCe are a big deal to some people. But to me, they’re my extended family.”
“I’d say if they’re hiding on an island far away from prying eyes, it’s more than some people, but I’m just happy to be here with you.”
We stop and enjoy the waves cascading around our feet, allowing the sand to swallow them up. Breathing in the salty air relaxes me. “When I visited you at your home for the first time, you mentioned that the woman you bought it from didn’t want to get married because she didn’t need to. Is that how you feel about marriage?”
She takes a big breath. “I don’t know. I wanted to marry Mark, so I’ve never ruled it out. But to be fair, I don’t want to have any children. I love them, but my mother’s illness is hereditary, and I’ve seen the depth of depression she goes to and how she struggles to take so many pills every day. I just don’t want to pass that on to my child.”
“So you’re fine with committing in front of family and friends to be with another person for the rest of your life?”
In a Southern drawl, Greer says, “Why, Signore Giordano, are you asking a particular question?”
I have a plan, and this isn’t part of it. “No. I’m just curious where you stand with things.”
My heart soars at the idea though. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with Greer. Now I just need to put my plan in place.
We slowly walk back to the house hand in hand.
“There’re beautiful drives to parts of the island. If the weather is clear, there are other parts that aren’t accessible by car, only by boat or by helicopter. I’ve scheduled a helicopter ride around the island for tomorrow, if you’re up for it.”
“I can’t wait.”
“There they are,” a voice booms from the house. I see everyone on the lanai with drinks in hand. Now that Sara and Trey have arrived, the next forty-eight hours are going to be all wedding all the time. I’m taking notes.
Our evening is full of celebration. The hibachi grills are out, and dinner is Mongolian grilled food. My drink of choice was a mac nut martini. The bartender swore to me it was a real drink, containing local macadamia nut liquor and vanilla-flavored vodka and topped with a Donkey Ball—which thankfully is just a chocolate-covered macadamia nut.
Greer alternated between a mai tai and carbonated water, and I loved that Genevieve was glued to her side and drinking alcohol-free mai-tais and the carbonated water. Greer introduced Genevieve to all the guests, and I watch my little girl blossom into a beautiful young woman. She stands tall and composed, and she answers questions like she’s at least ten years older. My heart breaks a bit to see her so grown up. I’m not ready for that.
I make my rounds and meet several of Sara’s biological siblings. They definitely all look alike with sandy blond hair, blue eyes, and the girls could all be twins. I’m stunned by the story of Sara’s upbringing within the foster system.
CeCe’s been great introducing me to all the parents and a few others who are part of this group. I meet Emerson’s brother, Michael, and his wife, Alicia, learning that Michael and Trey were college roommates at Berkley while CeCe and Emerson were college roommates at Stanford.
This is the entire guest list, not even forty people.
Trey and Sara come over to talk to me. “It’s so kind of you to join us for our wedding.”
I’m taken aback by Sara’s statement. “According to my daughter, this is the event of the decade.”
Trey laughs. “It might be the event of the moment, but not even the year, and certainly not the decade.”
I really like how down-to-earth Trey and his sister, CeCe, are. I had no idea they were so popular with the press, but I’m truly in awe of Greer and all of her friends. They’re all private, but together they can laugh at themselves and enjoy their time together. Genevieve and I are very lucky to be here.
After talking to almost all the people here, I finally get some time alone with Greer in a quiet corner of the lanai. “Genevieve’s having a lot of fun.”
“She’s a delight. Are you having fun?”
“But of course. You have a wonderful set of friends. I realize I’ve been so focused on my winery over the last fifteen years that not only did I not have any serious girlfriends, but I don’t have any friends outside of my competitors, and honestly, we aren’t really friends.”
“I’m happy to share mine. That’s how this group evolved. But to be honest, I want you all to myself.”
“I’m regretting sharing a room with my eleven-year-old daughter, too.”
I reach for her hands and look her in the eyes. “I’d love very much to have children with you one day, but I understand why you don’t want kids. I want you to know that being with you is more important than having any more children.”
Her eyes brim with tears. “I love you, Andreas, to the moon and back.”
We kiss, and Dillon comes up and pats me hard on the back. “Okay, you two, we boys are heading to the pool house with Patrick for Trey’s bachelor party—very tame, I assure you. And the girls are staying here for Sara’s bachelorette party.”
Greer squeezes my hand and whispers, “Don’t forget we have a helicopter tour at ten tomorrow morning. From experience, I can assure you that a hangover isn’t really what you want when you’re in a helicopter. We can always cancel if you guys get too crazy.”
“See you for breakfast tomorrow morning at eight. Have fun, and send Genevieve to bed before too long.”
“I’ll do no such thing. She’s one of the ladies, and our plan is to spoil Sara tonight.”
I shake my head as I follow Dillon and the guys out to the pool house. When I arrive, Cameron sidles up to me. “Dude.”
I nod.
“Greer is like my little sister. I’ll only say this once. She’s had her heart broken by a real jackass. If you don’t want this”—he holds his arms out at the house and people—“then get out now. Because I guarantee if you hurt her, I know people and we’ll hurt you.”
I reach for his hand and shake it. “I love her,” I tell him honestly, then share my plan. I end with “This weekend is about Sara and Trey, and I know we don’t want to overshadow their celebration, but if anyone is going to be broken, it’ll be me if she tells me something other than what I want to hear.”
“You’re a good man. Hadlee and I will help any way we can.”
Everyone is listening and nodding their agreement when Michael speaks up. “If you can overshadow this guy”—he knocks Trey in the shoulder—“by all means do it. He’s the center of attention wherever he goes.”
The night is pretty tame, but even so, I want to go on the tour tomorrow morning, so I stick mostly to water.
As the party breaks up and we all head back into the main house, Trey walks back with me. “Good luck, man. Are you nervous?”
“Hell yes.”
“Good. Then you know how awesome Greer is.”
“I think she’s pretty damn special.”
The girls are watching some chick flick on the big screen with popcorn and candy. I peek in and see Genevieve asleep with her head on Greer’s lap. Together we wake her and walk back to our rooms. Our kiss lingers as we say good night.
Greer groans, “See you in the morning.”
“Good night, dolcezza mia.”
I dream of Greer and her raven hair.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Greer<
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The wedding was at sunset, the pink and gold in the sky making the evening perfect. The only light coming from tiki torches added to the ambiance. Hibiscus flowers of every color surrounded the tent.
Dancing to John Legend’s “All of Me” in Andy’s arms under the Hawaiian stars, I feel complete. What a beautiful wedding. I know it sounds so cliché, but Sara was stunning in a Vera Wang dress and Trey in his tuxedo. It was a simple wedding, just long enough to know they were married but short enough that it touched us all with the romanticism.
Trey and Sara’s kiss wasn’t quick, mouth closed and done. It was one of those deep, lots of tongue, toe-curling kisses. They would never have gotten away with it had we not been under a canopy that kept the long-range lenses of any intruding paparazzi far away.
Dinner entertainment is hula dancers with bright red lei po’o—a lei around the head, bracelets of flowers, yellow plumeria leis, and banana leaf skirts—while a local band performs with drums and ukulele. Patrick’s personal chef roasted a pig in the ground in the traditional Hawaiian way and served a traditional luau, which includes chicken long rice—chicken over white noodles—squid luau, lomi lomi salmon, tuna poke, and poi.
The wedding cake was a stunning display consisting of four cakes in total. The ombré rosette had layers of red velvet sponge sprinkled with pink sugar dust. The second was an absolutely dreamy and sophisticated coconut cake, iced with coconut frosting, generously covered with a handful or two of fresh coconut shavings and finally bedecked with a champagne-colored satin bow at the base. Next up was a cinnamon spiced apple cake drizzled with luscious caramel sauce as bourbon-laced brown sugar buttercream oozed in between. And last but not ever least, the topmost was a double-tier vanilla and almond cake with the bottom tier enclosed in edible silver leaf and adorned with a single sugar magnolia to honor the union.
Patrick’s staff worked the party, and it was small enough that they were able to do it all themselves. Patrick was even the bartender most of the night. It was casual and extremely fun to have all of us together with Trey’s and Sara’s families. Very intimate, and perfect in my book.
Temptation (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #4): A Second Chance Billionaire Romance Page 23
