Chapter 41

"She's lying to me."

Enzo passed a cappuccino to me before making the foam for a second one.

I joined Cesare at the kitchen table as he reached for a cornetto. "What makes you so certain?"

At his nod, I slid the small jar of homemade apricot preserves down the table toward him. "She's a terrible liar."

Enzo took his seat across from me. As he raised his cup to his mouth, he chuckled. "Well, thats going to make marriage easier. Assuming you're still marrying the girl?"

It wasnt even a question. "Fuck yeah, I'm still marrying her. The sooner the better."

Cesare broke off a piece of the buttery pastry and popped it into his mouth before leaning back in his chair. "If you want to keep your edge, keep her away from Milana. I swear to God, that woman could sell someone two left feet and convince them they are a better dancer for it."

Uncle Barone poked his head in. "Amara?"

Enzo waved him in. "It's safe. She's with Bianca and Milana getting ready for Liliana's visit."

He stepped into the kitchen as he rubbed his hands together. "Finally, I can enjoy an espresso in peace."

He pressed the fresh coffee grounds into the filter basket, before locking it in. The machine hissed as he pulled a shot. The room once again filled with the acrid, earthy scent of coffee.

After placing the cup on a saucer, he leaned his hip against the kitchen island, closed his eyes, and took a moment to inhale the rich scent.

Before he could even lift the cup to his lips, Aunt Gabriella drifted in and snatched it from his hands without even stopping on her way to the table. "Thank you, darling. I needed this."

Taking a sip, she grimaced and held it aloft over her shoulder. "Ugh, Barone, you know I take steamed milk."

His brow lowered as he said through clenched teeth, "That wasn't meant for you."

She pivoted on him as she adjusted one of her heavy gold and diamond loop earrings which completed her deep purple and cobalt blue turban and caftan morning outfit. "Don't be silly. Of course you made it for me."

She then raised one elegantly arched eyebrow. "Otherwise, that would mean you were about to drink it, and I'd hate to start the day having to impart nasty gossip to sweet Amara."

Uncle Barone pointed a finger at her. "You're an evil woman, you know that."

She laughed as she took a seat at the other end of the table. "So I've been told many, many times, darling."

He placed the espresso with added steamed milk in front of her, then poured himself some orange juice. "Matteo, how's your girl?"

Leaning an elbow on the table, I rubbed my eyes. "To be honest, Uncle, I'm worried about her. I need to get this mess settled, and quickly. I'm afraid if I don't, she might do something stupid."

Enzo shook his head. "Not going to happen, cousin. He gestured around the table. "We'll all be watching out for her. We'll keep her safe, even from herself."

Cesare pushed the platter of cornettos toward Gabriella.

She waved him off. "No thank you, dear. I haven't eaten carbs in the morning since carrying a Fendi logo bag was fashionable. Are we talking about Ella?"

"I think she's lying to me."

She shrugged. "Of course, she's lying."

"You haven't even heard why I think it."

Gabriella put her espresso cup down and waved her hand in my direction, her signature gold bangles jangling, as if they were the theme music of her life. "You've met her father, and we all know about the dreaded sister. No one survives a toxic family environment like that without developing survival skills."

Her words gave me pause.

She continued. "I imagine the poor girl is forced to lie through her teeth to those two selfish egomaniacs on a daily basis just to get a moment's peace."

I switched seats to be closer to her. "But she's no longer in that environment. She's safe here. Why is she still protecting them?"

Her soft hand covered mine as her red lips lifted in an understanding smile. "Because family's family, dear. If human beings didn't have a high tolerance for their loved ones bullshit, we would have died out as a species long ago." She patted my hand. "Like I said, survival instincts."

Suspicion that Ella was lying about how she was injured last night itched at the back of my brain. I stayed up half the night watching her sleep, going over it in my mind.

My connection with her last night was something I had never experienced with another woman. It was amazing. While never being called a selfish lover, I'd never put a woman's needs completely and absolutely above my own.

When I sank my cock deep inside her sweet pussy, it had taken all my willpower not to thrust hard and fast until I filled her with come. Especially after my realization that I wanted her to bear my child. But I didn't.

I kept still and watched her body relax and accept having me inside of her.

Just when she was about to fall asleep, I lifted her into my arms and slid down in the bed until she was lying on top of me, her cheek resting against my heart as I held her close.

Not wanting to break our connection or shatter the moment, I must have stayed like that for over an hour just stroking her hair and listening to the gentle sound of her breathing.

This situation needed to be fixed, and fast. I never again wanted to see the fear and stress in my baby's eyes.

Although I hadn't ordered her not to tell her sister, because I hadn't wanted to place that kind of pressure on her, it would be foolish not to assume she had.

We would now have to proceed with the assumption that Antonia knew her scheme hadn't worked. The difficulty was in guessing what she would do next.

The idea of locking Ella safely in a room until this was all over was becoming more and more attractive. A vision of her wide, frightened eyes flashed through my mind again. She'd looked so haunted and afraid last night. It was all I could do not to just grab her by the shoulders and shake her, begging her to confide in me.

If I had learned one thing working side by side with my father for the brotherhood, it was that trust couldn't be rushed. It needed to be earned, even under false pretenses.

I leaned back in my seat. "Yeah, well, fuck her family. We're her family now."

"Spoken like a true, arrogant Cavalieri," boomed my father as he entered the room, the cool morning air still clinging to his clothes.

I rose. "Father."

We hugged, him slapping me on the back before cupping my face. "You look good, son."

My father crossed to Gabriella and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Gabbie."

Her lips twisted in a smile. "Old Goat."

He laughed then said hello to Enzo and Cesare, who rose to greet him.

Uncle Barone handed him an espresso. "How was the trip down?"

The brothers stood shoulder to shoulder, looking almost like identical twins despite the few years age difference. "Uneventful."

Uncle Barone checked his watch. "Sebastian should be here soon, but I say we don't wait. Let's head down to the old office where we won't be overheard."

Just then Alfonso entered carrying three green metal ammo boxes.

The room fell silent.

Ever the pragmatist, we knew Alfonso was stocking up. We usually kept plenty of bullets for our hunting rifles, but no more than a nominal amount beyond basic security needs for the handguns in the armory. That needed to change.

There was a fight coming.

One that would likely be violent, bloody, and dirty.

As most clashes with any mafia syndicate often were.

The mafia rarely cared about body counts when their interests were threatened.

If the shit hit the fan over Antonia and Antonella's scheme and if Dante couldn't hold on to power, the possibility of this fight coming to the winery's doorstep was very high.

Alfonso cleared his throat. "I'll just put these in the armory and meet you all down there."

I rose and leaned down to kiss Aunt Gabriella on the cheek. "Watch out for Ella. I left a note next to the bed that she should come and find you if I wasn't finished by the time she rose."

I was pivoting to follow the other men when she snatched my wrist. I turned back to her inquiringly.

"Don't send her back."

I frowned. "What?"

Her grip tightened. "Don't send her back. Don't even let them discuss that as an option."

I closed my hand over hers. "That's not going to happen, Aunt Gabbie."

Her eyes filled with tears.

Alarmed, I retook my seat. "Aunt Gabbie?"

Tilting her head back, she patted her manicured fingers under her eyes. "I'll ruin my makeup."

"What's going on?"

She stared at me for a long moment. Then sighed. "Women can be silly, complicated creatures. Sometimes we fight tooth and nail against what we want most in the world. Don't let her get away with it. Hold on to her."

"Are you speaking from experience?"

Aunt Gabbie took a deep breath, leaned back, and fluffed her hair. All signs of vulnerability gone behind a mask of steely elegance. "It's in the past and as you know, a lady never admits to having a past."

I chuckled as I leaned over and kissed her cheek again. "I love you, Aunt. And don't worry. I have no intention of letting Ella go. No matter how hard she tries to leave."