Her Dark Dragon

by Lillith Payne

  “They only waited because of the way your father wrote your trust. They had no choice. Now they’ve maneuvered you into a situation where you’ll be forced to sell.” He hesitated, then added, “I don’t know how many other loans there are against Cirillo, Danni, but if you marry me, and we combine the two farms…”

  She stared blankly at him. “And what label survives?”

  Her glare all but dared him to look away, but she deserved the truth.

  “The Severino label survives, Danielle. You and I will farm both vineyards that will continue Severino.” He stood tall and proud, the dark dragon persona slipping forward. She stood with a forced calm and walked to the doorway.

  “Danni, I’m sorry to be the one to drop this on you, but I felt it was better to hear it from me now, then to wait until the official turnover with bankers and auditors as witnesses. Think it through, bella. You’ll see marrying me isn’t such a bad deal.” He smiled, but she showed no emotion, numb to her core with this new information. She left him without a word, grabbing her hat and slowly walking across his back patio into the vineyard.

  “I have one question,” she said, staring at her mother and stepfather over the supper table that evening. “When were you going to tell me?” Her mother looked to Robert, and he shielded his face with his bourbon glass. “You weren’t, were you? You’d both let me continue on thinking I’d have control of the winery until the last moment. Did you think I wouldn’t make a scene before the auditors?”

  Robert spoke, clearing his throat to acquire an authoritative tone. “We felt it best to wait until the formal turnover. But since that hasn’t happened, I guess your friend Niccolo Severino has told you about the loans. It should all be laid out now.” He drank from the short crystal glass.

  Danni struggled to hold onto her forced calm. She’d walked the yards while trying to fit all the pieces together. And all she came back to was greed and betrayal. Now watching Robert and her mother squirm was little reward for losing her home and land. While she wanted to do physical harm to both of them, she knew it would do no good. She’d use her brain to figure out how to get around them. They’d been playing her for seven years, and now, it was her time to step up.

  “The Severinos hold title to half the vines from the first loan. That means you won’t have enough product to continue the Cirillo label. The house with two acres of land was surveyed out last year. It will be sold separate, and we’ll take the cash to start new somewhere else. The rest of the land has been sold in smaller lots to two other labels in the area. I assure you, Danielle, they’ll make good use of the vines.”

  He was so self-assured that she wanted to reach across the table and slap him. Instead, she asked, “And the netsukes?”

  “Small advances,” Robert said, waving his hand to dismiss the subject.

  “Mother?” She stared at Felice, who only gave her a nod. “You agreed with this?”

  “I never wanted to live out here on the mountain. I thought once your father was happily married, he’d understand my feelings and we’d move on. He refused. He threatened to keep you with him and send me away, penniless. I had no choice but to stay all these years. I’ve hated every single day.”

  A hard look overtook her profile, and Danni wondered how she hadn’t seen it before. She hadn’t wanted to recognize the anger her mother let slip only occasionally.

  “And me too, no doubt. You couldn’t get back at Father, so you took out all your hate and frustrations on me.” It was a sad statement, but one of fact.

  “Don’t speak to your mother that way!” Robert demanded.

  “She gave me permission to speak any way I like when she sold out my future and my heritage. Don’t ever use that tone with me again, Robert.”

  Her mother started to reach toward her hand, but she pulled it back. “Don’t think you can make up for it now, Felice. Why send me away to school to learn more about the land and the business when you had this in mind all the time?”

  “Your father made certain stipulations in his trust that couldn’t be broken. I had no choice but to educate you. Now you can take those degrees and work anywhere in the world, doing a number of different jobs. I’ve given you a life free of this land, Danielle. I hope you appreciate it one day. Right now you’re acting like a spoiled child. I sacrificed my youth for you. I won’t give you any more of my time.”

  That was it. Felice had gone into social mode, and nothing further would get accomplished. Something Felice said jogged her memory. When her father had collapsed and died in the field, her mother had almost been relieved. She had gone through the motions of the funeral and wake in a haze of grief while her mother had all but floated through the week. It was a week later, after Sam Parkins, her father’s trusted friend and lawyer, had gathered everyone in her father’s study and read his will and trust agreement that Felice changed.

  She had always wondered what parts she hadn’t heard, having been sent from the room after hearing the part about the vineyard being in trust for her. Now it all fit. Whatever she hadn’t been told at that meeting, her mother had. Daddy had tied her to the land, and Felice hated Danni and her father for it. Her mother had hinted that they both needed to get away, a vacation, and then they’d look for a new place to live. Danni had let it pass, but after that day in the study with Sam, her mother had changed, had become hardened to the yard and to her. At first, she had just thought it was grief over her husband’s death catching up. Now, she understood it was anger.

  Matteo had tried to protect Danni and the label, and Felice hated them all, especially the vineyard and what it represented. He’d tied her to the land she hated. Danni felt the pieces fall into place, the comments that didn’t make sense, the careless disregard for the vines that first season. It wasn’t until she met Robert that her mother had changed tack. Robert was the one to make her see ways to use the vineyard and its opportunities. None of this was her fault. She’d been just sixteen when her father died.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, Felice,” Danni said, unable to look at the woman beside her and call her mother. “I’m sorry you didn’t tell me from the start.”

  “And have you waging war on us? No way.” Robert had begun to slur just slightly.

  “And we couldn’t have that, could we, Robert? It would have ruined your plans to renovate the house.”

  “For a start, yes. Your mother and I both deserved to live better than that old farm shack. Since we were going to be stuck here all those years, it was the only way to make the time tolerable.”

  “And the netsukes?”

  “Consider them petty cash,” he said, acknowledging his words with a mock toast of his glass, knowing he was pushing her further toward an outburst. Danni realized that was what he wanted, a big blowup of a confrontation so he could call her ungrateful and walk away with a clear conscience. She wouldn’t give that to him or her mother. Instead, she spoke clearly and softly.

  “You’d better start packing, Felice. I spoke with Sam today.”

  “He’s not our lawyer anymore, that old…”

  “He’s my lawyer, and that’s all that matters. Tomorrow, you’ll receive eviction papers, and you have two weeks to leave the premises.”

  “Two weeks, that’s impossible! It will take weeks just to get the furniture shipped to the auction house.”

  “When you leave, you will take only your clothing. I’m assured the house and everything in it is mine, and won’t be auctioned for spare cash. Call Sam in the morning if you don’t believe me.” She walked to the dining room doorway and paused. Her mother looked shocked, and Robert angry. “I also spent time with Mr. Jansen this afternoon. All the farm’s accounts are being audited. No checks or withdrawals will be honored without my approval.”

  “You can’t do that!” Robert yelled, his fist smashing down onto the tabletop.

  “I already have, Robert. Best you collect your personal items and be gone as soon as possible. I’ll be in touch about the audit.”

&nbs
p; “Danielle, you really don’t mean to toss us out. We’re your parents!”

  “You may be my mother, Felice, but that didn’t matter when you were selling off my land. And Robert was never my father. Matteo Cirillo was my father, and I will spend the rest of my days trying to get back my family land. You didn’t care then. I don’t care now.”

  She wanted to leave, but had one parting shot. “Don’t expect any cash from the sale of the house. I’m not selling. And you can’t force me to sell. According to what I’ve found so far, this vineyard has paid you both above and beyond any realistic salary. Your greed has run its course. Neither of you are welcome here, ever again.”

  “I’ll sue you, Danielle.” Her mother stood and braced her hands on the tabletop.

  A look of hate Danni had never seen before spread across her face. “Go ahead, but it will be a waste of money. I have Robert’s laptop and the hard drive from the office. Both are being analyzed. I have every right, you see, because they were purchased with Cirillo money.”

  “Danni, please, I know you’re upset, but treating us this way is only going to make matters worse. If the people in the valley knew, our friends, our reputations…”

  She realized her mother was more upset about appearances than her own daughter’s feelings or future. “Actually, the people of the valley do know. When I was in the bank today, there were several witnesses to my conversation with Mr. Jansen and my intentions. And I don’t care what they think about you or Robert.”

  “You don’t know everything, little girl, not by a long shot. I think you’d better make some calls first thing in the morning and tell Jansen to reopen the accounts and Sam to back off. The house will be sold, and we will use the proceeds to relocate.”

  Robert sounded so smug that she laughed aloud. He didn’t like being laughed at, and his face turned redder than from the drink. She walked slowly from the doorway. The crash came only a moment later. Only slightly turning her head, Danni saw the broken crystal where she’d just stood, the ice cubes mixing with the spilled liquid on the polished marble floor. She didn’t hold back her laugh and knew they heard it. She hated the marble they replaced the original wooden plank floor with, its polished patina shining after many years of use and attention. It was only another nail in the coffin of her family’s future. If she ever got to own the house, it was the first thing she’d change back.

  The idea soured in her stomach, knowing she’d never be able to turn the structure back into any resemblance of a home she once knew. Sure Robert and Felice wanted to change their surroundings, only their changes tainted her future. Danni knew she had to get away. With a purposeful stride, she got to the barn and saddled up one of the older horses. It wasn’t until she was deep in the vineyard before she slowed down and let her tears finally fall.

  Accepting everything that had been thrown at her in the last two days was almost too much to bear. Making matters worse, she couldn’t turn to her best friend, Nico, for help. She felt alone and adrift among the vines.

  Chapter Three

  Nico waited patiently at their meeting place deep in the vineyard where nobody would hear their conversation. From her tone this afternoon when she phoned with the arrangement, he knew she rejected him just on principle. It was his responsibility to be calm and controlled, to let her say what she needed. Then he would reinforce the positives of his proposal and hope she started to see his version. Tethering his horse to a fence post, he pulled a slim cigarillo from the pack. His one small vice in life he allowed himself and he only indulged occasionally. Tonight he just wanted this one. He didn’t gamble, and only drank hard liquor on occasion. Tasting and drinking wine were his life. He leaned against a post a few rows from his horse and settled in to wait. His future was on the line with this conversation.

  It had been smart to give her some time to cool down before approaching her again, but he wanted to be there for her. To hold her and tell her it would all work out. Nico stayed where he was, waiting for her to reach him.

  In the distance, she could see the glowing head of his cigarette. He stood, propped against a fence post, one leg straight in front of him the other bent back with his boot resting on the post. His left thumb was hooked in the belt loop of his worn denim pants, the other hand held the cigarette. He was an amazing sight, even in the darkening light. His hat was pulled low over his face. She could see his chest move with each puff.

  It was a long time ago that he had kissed her in this very place. She wanted him to do it again. Now she let awareness ripple through her and shifted on her horse’s back without thinking. Danni knew she had to get her act together. Being horny at this time was not going to help her. While it might have once been a wonderful chance at the future, she saw now that being manipulated into a marriage of convenience wouldn’t solve any of her problems. She couldn’t stop being sexually aware of him. Her desire to do all the things she’d dreamt about for years was still forward in her mind. She had to change the subject. She’d always want Niccolo Severino to be her mate, to touch her like no other man could. Now it would never happen. For years, she’d thought of him. It was time to stop the dreams and deal with reality.

  She wasn’t nervous, just angry at the injustice of the whole situation. None of it was her doing, yet she would have to give up her vision of her future in all ways. Danni felt her belly start to shift, the familiar heat work through her system. Even at this distance, she knew he’d try to change her mind about marriage. She couldn’t allow herself to consider the topic. She just needed some time to think through this whole mess. He could give her some idea of the pieces she was still missing.

  “We could have had supper at the house, Danni. Why meet here?”

  It wasn’t the greeting she’d expected. In reality, she was horny and already agitated. His challenge wasn’t the first thing she’d hope to hear. “I didn’t think I could do justice to Maria’s cooking tonight. I won’t keep you away from your meal for long.” She knew she spoke the words, but the tone and attitude were foreign.

  He watched while she swung her leg over the back of her horse and dropped the reins over the fence. She reached for his cigarette and took first one, then a second, long drag before handing it back to him. She only smoked occasionally with Nico. On nights like this when they’d ride the fields together, on the nights when he’d kiss her to distraction. Thankfully, that had been years before all this mess started and Nico had been very aware of her age, always telling her that he was too old, that she had her life ahead of her. Then he’d lean closer, take her lips under his, and send her spiraling into a nonreality of night and stars, of his strong hands banding around her, pulling her closer to his body, to feel his heat and excitement.

  It had been three years since he’d kissed her. Now she knew why. He’d stopped when he made the first loan against the house. Danni accepted his distance without question. There was no other alternative. The one time she approached him about it, he’d told her to simply move on. She was a grown woman now, and should get a real life. His words had hurt as they were meant to. She kept her distance from then on, unable to forget how his touch made her feel.

  “You know I can’t marry you, Nico, and you know all the reasons better than I do at this point in time.” She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

  “I don’t know anything of the sort. It’s the perfect solution.”

  “No, it’s one solution, not the perfect one.” She studied his face. “I have twelve weeks to the formal turnover. Until then, I have to figure out what other damage has been brought upon Cirillo wines. You can help me. Tell me what I’m missing. Obviously I’ve been blind to the entire goings-on. What else don’t I know?”

  Nico offered her the cigarette, but she shook her head. “I know about your plans for the mountain acres, Danni. If you marry me, you can still plant your olive trees and start your new venture. It’s the best solution for all of us.”

  Danni was floored by his knowledge. “How in the
world did you know about that? I haven’t told anyone…”

  “Yes, you did. When you were home from your first year at school, you were talking about planting olive trees for their precious oil. I didn’t forget, just waited.”

  “So, all this time you’ve known I had other plans for Cirillo and still you bought the land!”

  “I’ll give you the land as a wedding present. You can still start your olive oil business. Keep the Cirillo name on that project if you like. Just remember the wine will always be Severino.” He had become indignant, and he stood tall. .

  “What a deal! I get to marry you, and you’ll kindly give me a few acres to play with?” Her attitude made up for the height difference as she stood before him.

  “Danni, this is getting us nowhere fast. You don’t have many alternatives.”

  “I know, but I’m not going to accept any realities until I know all the facts. Then I’ll figure out what to do and where my future lies. It won’t be as your wife, Nico.” She paused and softened her posture. “A few years ago, marrying you would have been my dream. Now it can never be. It’s all been ruined.”

  “It’s not too late, bella. We can build a future together.” He softened his pose, reaching a hand toward her. He would never know how hard it was for her not to take it.

  “No. I hate you too much, even though I understand on one level why you did what you did. We’d always have the land and the label between us.” It was a fact neither of them could alter.

  “If we tried, we could make this work. We both want what’s best for the land. I have the ability to buy back the other acreage.”

  “Do you know that for a fact?”

  “No, I haven’t spoken to anyone. I don’t know who Robert sold the parcels to, but I’m sure with the right amount of cash, I could eventually recover them.”