by A. Hargrove
Evan's eyes lit up. This man loved talking business. “Yes. Pipe, you wouldn't believe the possibilities. This is some of the best wine in the world. Can you even comprehend what we could build? Just think about the prospect of going grocery shopping, or going to your local wine shop and picking up a bottle of this stuff at your price point?”
“I know. I'd never heard of it before you told me, and then Alessandro served it to me. But I'm only a mere pauper.”
“No, you aren't. But you aren't rich either,” Evan said. “However, with this option, you would've been drinking it all along.”
“Exactly. And when I met Alessandro, I would've jumped in his lap and begged for a bottle.”
“Instead of a kiss. I'm not sure I like this idea now, amore mio.”
She stood on her toes and gave me a peck on the cheek. It wasn't enough. I pulled her in for a kiss on the lips. When I released her, her cheeks were fire red.
“I can see how close the two of you have become ,” Evan said.
Piper only nodded, but I confirmed it. We were at the door where my father was waiting and he and John were already deep in conversation.
“It's about time you slowpokes arrived.”
“I was explaining to Piper about the proposed U.S. operation we discussed over lunch.”
Papa went over to the counter where our vintner was. Then the process of explaining how he derived each of our wines began. It was a complex process and I watched Piper's attention fade. She enjoyed wine, but not to the extent we did. She was looking at everything but him, so I whispered into her ear, “Would you care to see my office?”
“Yes!” Her eager reply had me tugging her in that direction. The others never noticed us leave, or that's the story I told myself.
“This is where I spend a lot of time when I'm home,” I said, closing the door.
“This is cool. You have a dual view.”
She was correct. One window overlooked the vineyards, and another overlooked the storage rooms. “Yes, but I prefer the current view. It's much better than a room full of oak barrels.”
“Is it now?” She walked straight into my arms and planted her lips on mine.
That's how my father found us.
“Alessandro, come quick. Chiara is here and is threatening to take Gabriele.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Alessandro
“Chiara? I thought she was in prison?” Piper asked as we ran out.
“So did I.”
We got into the ranger and I drove like a maniac back to the house. When I got to the front hallway, both nonne were there arguing with my ex-wife, as she screamed back at them. Gabriele stared at them in confusion.
“Piper, will you please take Gabriele back to our rooms? I will come for you when this debacle is over.”
“But, Papa—” Gabriele began to argue with me. Only I didn't give him a chance. I went and picked him up, and carried him over to the hall that led down to our rooms.
“Listen, let me get this settled. You and Piper can play games and when we have all this figured out, I will come for you.”
“But I want to see my mama.”
“I know, but right now, I have to talk with her first, okay?”
“Come on, squirt, let's play Go Fish. Maybe the little babies are up too. We can always play with them later.”
“Okay.”
His expression was glum, but it didn't matter right now. I had to get this woman out of here before she caused an even bigger incident.
I watched them leave and when they were out of sight, I turned to face my nemesis.
“Chiara, what are you doing here? You know you are not welcome in this house.”
“I have come for my son.”
“The son you nearly killed? I don't think so. I will not allow him to be put into any kind of danger like that again. You walked away from him when his life was close to ending and when my daughter had died due to your irresponsible drinking and selfish behavior. There is not a chance on this earth you will ever get close to him again.”
She tossed an evil grin to all of us. “No? Then you do not know who you are dealing with. I will soon have custody of him. The courts favor the mothers, as you well know.”
“Not mothers who don't give a damn about their kids. By the way, how did you get out of prison.”
Her laugh echoed around the entryway. “My stellar behavior. I was a model prisoner.”
“And that's something to be proud of, I see. You will tell Gabriele that after you killed his sister, you served time in prison and were let out early on good behavior. I'm sure that's something he will enjoy hearing.”
Her smile turned into a scowl. “He will never learn of that.”
“Oh, yes he will because I will tell him the truth. Do you think I am going to lie to him about what happened to his beautiful sister? And how he nearly died at the same time by your hands? I will never do that. I suggest you leave and never come back. You lost your right to see your son on the day you strapped my children into the car, drove off when you were so drunk you could barely walk, killed my daughter, and nearly did the same to Gabriele. If you have any thoughts of seeing him again in this house, you must be crazy. You are not welcome here and are trespassing. Need I remind you that this is private property?” I walked to the door and opened it.
“We shall see about that, won't we?” Then she called me every nasty name she could come up with as she tossed her hair back and strolled out. I watched her get into a car, that she did not drive, and it drove off.
By this time, Papa, Evan, and John had arrived back from the winery.
“Papa, it’s time to act. I cannot take a chance with Gabriele here.”
“I can help,” Evan said.
“How?”
“I may know someone in the U.S. if you're serious about our business venture, we could expedite the process.”
“I am, but Papa?”
“It's a sound business venture. But what about your work at Cambridge?”
“Gabriele takes precedence. I cannot risk his future.”
John asked, “What about the immigration process. Since all the political problems in our country today, how will you manage that?”
That could be our major obstacle. “I was applying at U.S. universities for a position there, but now with the wine operations, that wouldn't be feasible.”
Evan interrupted us, saying, “That's where I come in. Since I do a lot of international business, I have connections in that area. That's how I can help. I can get you a work visa.”
Piper! I'd forgotten about her. “Nonna, can you go get Piper and take Gabriele outside to play while we finish making plans?”
They both went as they were a team. Piper joined us and we all filled her in.
“My only concern is you'll be alone in Cambridge for the next three months.”
She laughed. “Alessandro, I'm a grown woman.”
“Yes, you are, but look what happened before.”
The smile she'd worn disappeared. “I can move in with Emma. She offered at one point and I refused. How much safer can I be than living with a member of the police force?”
That offered me a measure of comfort. “Yes, that's a great idea. But can you arrange that before we leave so I won't have to worry?”
“I promise.”
Then Evan suggested something. “I don't want to blow this way out of proportion, but it might be a good idea to hire a bodyguard for Gabriele. Just in case she comes back or sends someone else.”
“That's an excellent idea,” Papa said. “Alessandro, I'll take care of it.” He left as we continued to make plans. A thought struck me and I asked Piper if I could have a word in private.
We walked outside. “I know you wanted to get married here but given the circumstances, I'm afraid it can't happen, unless we wait for a few years, and, amore mio, I can't possibly do that. Do you mind if we get married somewhere else?”
Her hand reached for my cheek as she answered, “As long a
s we're together, I don't care where we get married. Gabriele's safety is the most important thing.”
“Thank you.”
“You don't have to thank me for that.”
“We shall have a spring wedding then when you return from Cambridge. I don't know how I'll bear being away from you.” It was true.
“Three months. Ninety days. We'll figure out a way to manage.”
Back inside, we found that Evan had wandered off to make some calls about a work visa with the connections he had, and Papa was still arranging the bodyguard for Gabriele. Piper was going to check on her sisters, so that left John and me.
“Do you mind if we talk a moment?” I asked him.
We walked onto the terrace and that's where I posed the question to him. “I want you to know that I'm in love with your daughter. She's everything to me and I want to ask for her hand in marriage.”
He stared off into the distance and didn't speak for a minute. “When Evan wanted to marry Sylvie, I told him the same thing I'm going to tell you. Money is great, but it doesn't make a marriage. My daughter doesn't really care about that.”
“I've already figured that part out. But she wasn't aware of my family or what we did when we met. She thought I was a low paid professor.”
He grinned. “That sounds like my Piper. My wife and I were together for many years before she passed last January. I still miss her every day. I wish for you and Piper to share that kind of love. It's the most wonderful journey two people can ever take. I think Sylvie and Evan have found it.”
“I think they have too, and I know Piper and I have. She's the last thing I think of before I fall asleep at night, and the first thing I think of when I wake up.”
“Sounds like it.”
“My only regret is I wish I had found her first, but as she pointed out, then I wouldn't have my son.”
John nodded. “Sounds like something my daughter would say. I'll give you my blessing. Treat her right, Alessandro, and treasure every moment with her. You never know when life will end.”
“That's so true. You and my father have a lot in common.”
“We do. He is a great man. I've already figured that out.”
I patted his shoulder and said, “I hope one day, you feel the same about his son.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Piper
Sylvie was breastfeeding the babies—yep, both of them—when I burst into her guest house.
“Jeez, Pipe, ever heard of knocking?”
“You won't believe what just happened.” I gave her the scoop on the ex-wife.
“The story of my life. I take a nap and look what I miss.”
“Yeah, but you're missing the point. Alessandro and Gabriele have to leave the country.”
“Why?”
“She's evil and will try to take Gabriele away.”
“Can you hand me those bottles over there? I'm out of milk. These little suckers are big eaters.”
I huffed, then went over to the bottles she'd evidently prepared ahead of time. “Are you even listening?”
“I am, but when you have two hungry babies determined to eat, one has priorities.”
Handing her the bottles, I watched her expertly juggle the boys, and get them settled on cushions and pop bottles into their mouths before either one made a peep. “I'm impressed.”
“Trust me. You learn quick with two. Now go on.”
My explanation about Chiara took a few minutes, but when I finished, she said, “Alessandro and Rose have a lot in common.” Rose was her best friend and had gone through hell with her ex when he had custody of their daughter.
“I never thought of that.”
“Another thing, Gabriele and Montana could be friends too.”
“Never thought of that either.” Montana was Rose's daughter and she was just as adorable as Gabriele was. “Oh my God, Aaron would love him because he plays soccer.”
“Yes, he would.”
Aaron was my cousin Grey's son. He was crazy about the game and lived and breathed it, sort of like Gabriele did.
“Maybe this move to the states would be the perfect thing for them.” I tapped my cheek as I thought about it.
“True, and what about you? What are you going to do?”
“Me? I'm going to finish my degree in Cambridge, then come home as I originally planned.”
Evan came into the room. “Hey. Oh, Pipe, I have everything in the works for your boys.”
“Her boys?” Sylvie asked.
“Yeah. I'll fill you in. I'm going to invest in their U.S. ops. It's going to make a lot for them and expand them into the less expensive wine markets.” He explained what their intentions were. “By the way, did you know Italy is the number one producer of wine worldwide?”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes, and their vines are fabulous.”
Sylvie jerked her head toward her husband. “He would know. But Piper, what about counseling?”
“What about it?”
“Without Alessandro with you, I'm worried about you by yourself. You even said you're better when he's around.” She was right and I'd avoided those thoughts. “I'll have Emma and school to keep busy and yes, I'm planning on going to counseling as I told you.”
“Jeez, Sylls, give her a chance. She can't do anything while she's here.”
“I know, but I’m worried about her.”
Kneeling next to her, because she was trapped with bottles in each hand, I patted her legs. “Don't be. I'll be fine. It's only three more months and then I'll be home pestering the hell out of you.”
“Swear?”
“I swear.”
Evan wandered over to the boys and asked, “Are they done yet?” Sylvie checked the bottles and said, “This one is.” He picked up the one on the left.
“They're getting so big. I can't believe how much they’ve changed.” I grabbed the one closest to me and played with his little foot. “I love baby feet.”
“Aren't they the cutest? They do grow like weeds. I've taken so many pictures because I don't notice the changes on a daily basis.”
Evan was making goofy noises and the baby he held giggled up a storm. It had me wondering if Alessandro wanted any more kids. After the loss he experienced with his daughter, I wasn't so sure. And then it had me thinking about that horrible ex-wife of his. True, alcohol addiction was a disease, but she went through rehab and had known she was sick. She had no business getting behind the wheel of a car.
“What's the glum look for?” Sylvie asked.
“I was thinking about Alessandro and what he went through with his ex.”
Evan called over, “She must be a piece of work. To go to prison and now want to take Gabriele away.”
“Alessandro told me she never cared for him in the first place. So why now?”
“For the money, Piper. If you can't figure something out, follow the money,” Evan said. He was right. That's why she wanted Alessandro in the first place.
“I can't imagine being so cold-hearted.”
“It's because you have the capacity to love and feel deep emotion. There are those who don't,” Sylvie said.
“We were fortunate to be raised in a loving family,” I said.
“Yes, and it's obvious, Alessandro was too. His nonne are wonderful. So is his father and the nonno, although I believe he slips away a lot to avoid kitchen chores.” Sylvie made a great observation that I hadn't paid attention to.
“Ha, you're right. I'm mentioning this to Alessandro. He'll crack up over that.”
“Hey, I just got a text from my friend, the connection I have for the work visas. He said as long as our contract is in place and we have it legally documented, which we obviously will on both the Italian and American ends, there should be no problems. He has never committed a felony that you're aware of?”
“No, but that ex of his did.”
“Even better. That assures she can never legally enter the U.S.”
That offered a bit of
comfort. “Let's go find Alessandro and let him know.”
“Um, occupied mom here,” my sister said.
“I'll help change them. Let me know what to do.”
I received thorough instructions and when the job was finished, off we went. Alessandro and my father were outside on the terrace, deep in conversation. Hmm, I wondered what was so interesting.
“Hey you two. We have news, or rather Evan does.”
He told them what his friend said.
Alessandro laughed when it came to a felony. “No, I did have a parking ticket once. Does that count?”
“I doubt it,” Evan said. “Can we contact your attorney to get our contract going? I'll call mine and get my end moving too.”
“Sure. Let me find my father.” He texted a message and found that Antonio was at the winery. He answered immediately that he'd call to get things moving. It should be done in a day or so.
With the size of this corporation, I imagined that they were one of the attorney's larger clients. Evan had an entire team of them at his disposal so maybe the winery did too.
Later that day, an entire team of bodyguards showed up at the house. Antonio and Alessandro disappeared into an office while we were hanging out in the kitchen, nibbling on all sorts of tasty treats. Gabriele entertained us as he told us how his Papa tried to make some bread once but burnt it in the oven.
“He smelled the house up and made it stinky.” He pinched his nose and ran around in a circle. The nonne laughed at him but then told us how awful it was.
“It took three days before the smell went away,” one of them said.
“And here I thought he was a good cook,” I said.
“Cook, yes. Bake, no,” Nonna said. “Never trust him with the oven.”
“Never trust who with the oven?” Alessandro asked, coming into the kitchen.
“You!” Gabriele said. “You make stinky black bread.”
“One time I burn it and they never let me forget.” He grinned. I melted. Would I ever get used to his beautiful face?
Behind him were six burly men. They looked scary, like the kind you see in the movies. Antonio talked quietly with the one in the back. They were stereotypical, in that they all wore black shirts and black pants. They had bulging biceps that their shirt sleeves stretched over. If I saw any of them on a dark night, I'd run like the devil himself was chasing me.
