Quiet Wealth, page 11
“I don’t mind at all.” He opened the door. “I never miss an opportunity to get some of Miss May’s pastries.” I happily climbed in as he chattered about the delicious bomboloni.
“Do you live around here?” I enjoyed the small talk, and as there was only the two of us, it was easy.
“Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“Any kids?”
“No, I’ve been too busy driving to settle down and start a family.”
“Have you been working for Mariano for a long time?”
He paused for a moment then looked in the side mirror. “I don’t normally drive for Mariano, but I have been known from time to time to drive for the boss.”
“Boss?” I asked, but his phone rang, and I went back to my thoughts to give him some privacy.
I was suddenly glued to the window, marveling at the massive sunflower field that lined the opposite side of the hill. Nestled in next to it were rows and rows of grape vines. It was just like the postcard Cara had given me. True excitement coursed through me, and I could hardly contain it.
“Do you like sunflowers, miss?”
“I do. I really do,” I smiled wide, thinking of how long I dreamt of this very thing, and it was finally a reality spread out before me.
“You’re welcome to explore that property if you wish.”
“Really?” I couldn’t wait.
“Yes, and there’s a bicycle in the garden house next to the driveway if you’d like to pedal around.” His eyes lit up, feeding off my excitement. “Just let me know, and we can go there, and if you get too tired or too hot, I’m only a phone call away.”
“That’s very kind of you…” I waited for him to say his name.
“Vinni.”
“Vinni, thank you.”
I leaned back in the seat and made plans to visit there before I left the area. I was pleased I brought my camera on this trip. I couldn’t wait to share it all with Wyatt. Not long afterward, we arrived at the town, and Vinni handed me a cloth bag to collect my things in.
“I’ll wait here. Take your time. I’m not due to be anywhere else.”
“All right. Thanks.”
I wove in and out of each little display. Each was packed with fresh fruits, vegetables, and miles and miles of cheeses and wines. I laughed when a kid tried to steal one of the ladies’ cookies. When she turned her back, I handed one to him and winked, watching his eyes bug out. He quickly jammed the entire thing in his mouth and ran away.
“I’ll take one, please.” I pointed at the loaves of bread on the table near the cookies and paid her double the cost. I knew how hard it was to make a living. I wasn’t hurting now, but there was a time when I would have been willing to sell an organ just to get something to eat.
“It’s too much.”
I shook my head and smiled then moved on to the next section, soaking in the culture that came with a market. People earning their living by working hard and standing behind their products. There was something to be said for that.
I stopped when I came to a stall that carried my favorite wine. I picked up the bottle and studied the label.
“I’ll take two bottles, please.” I couldn’t believe it was here. I knew it was local to the area, but I had no idea it would be at the market.
“Have you tried this before?” the girl asked as she took the money.
“Many times. It’s one of my favorites.”
“He’ll be happy to hear that.”
“Yes, please do pass that along,” I smiled, but her gaze shifted over my shoulder.
“Good evening, sir.” She stood a bit straighter.
I turned with my arms full of treats and saw Piero, Elio’s father, standing behind me, looking impeccable in a business suit.
“Oh, my,” I whispered in disbelief.
“Hello, sweet girl.” He called me by my old nickname.
“Hello.” I felt my cheeks grow pink.
“Would you take a walk with me?”
“All right.” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to, but I would never be rude.
He nodded at someone who took my bags, then he tucked my arm through his and urged me to start walking.
I hesitated, but when I saw my driver, Vinni, take the bags from the other guy, I felt a bit better.
“It’s lovely to see you, Sienna.” He gave me that warm smile that made me feel like I hadn’t lost him years ago. “I’m sure the past two days have been a bit overwhelming for you.” When I didn’t respond, he kept going. “I’m sure you’re very confused and have a lot of questions, but Elio—”
“Not really.” I cut him off, not wanting to cave in public.
“Oh.” He gave me a quick glance, no doubt trying to read my mind. “Well, when or if you do have questions, I would hope you would come directly to us rather than speaking to Mariano. We like our privacy, and he doesn’t know everything, and we’d like to keep it that way.”
“Privacy,” I repeated as the word bounced around inside my chest, playing ping pong with the sides of my heart. “You wouldn’t want someone getting too close. I understand.” I couldn’t help my clipped tone.
He stroked his chin as he watched me intently.
“You really surprised Elio yesterday.”
I raised an eyebrow to express the feeling was mutual. He stopped and motioned for us to sit at a table near a fountain. He stared at me for a moment, and I felt my feisty side kick in because that was all I had for a defense system.
“How did you and Mariano meet?” He waited for me to answer and studied my face when I didn’t. “Sienna, please, put aside everything that has happened for one moment. Can I just say how much I missed you?”
Damn, that put a creak in my heart.
“You weren’t the only person who lost someone that day, Sienna.” He paused to gather himself. “I lost a daughter, too.”
I pressed my fingers to my lips to stop the quiver that threatened.
“Hate us if that helps.” He cleared his emotions from his throat. “I hate us too sometimes, but there are reasons for what happened. Just know that we never once stopped loving you.” He reached for my hand.
“Please.” I pulled away, not wanting to hear it. It was too much.
He reached out again and took both my hands in his and squeezed them gently.
“Sweet girl, I know we’re not worthy of it, but can I ask you for one favor?” My tear-filled eyes found his. “Please don’t let Mariano know your history with Elio or our family.”
I tugged my hands away when I realized they might be ashamed to be associated with me. The poor little orphan girl who fell in love with the rich boy was back, and perhaps it would screw up their image. I quickly dried a pesky tear.
“I need you to be careful, Sienna. He isn’t who you think he is.”
Confusion and hurt swept through me, and my backbone went up at the conversation. I stood quickly, and I knew he caught my mood.
“I have dreamt of the day I would once again see the man I considered my father.” I paused to choose my words carefully. “Never did I think he would ask me to pretend I didn’t know him.” I had more to say, but that was enough to make my point.
“It’s not like that.” He tried to explain, but I was done.
I turned on my heel and rushed away from him to where I knew Vinni was waiting.
“Ready?” he said as he opened the car door for me.
“Yes, I’d like to go back to the house now.”
“Of course.” He squinted at me then looked over my shoulder and gave a nod to someone.
I hated that my market trip was ruined, but I hated even more that after all these years of trying to make something of myself it was still not enough. Well, that was fine. It was enough for me, and that was all that mattered.
“Would you like to stop and see the sunflowers?” Vinni drew me from my thoughts.
“Perhaps another day.” All the joy the flowers had brought me had vanished.
“Very well.” He glanced at me and seemed to want to say something but thought better of it, and we drove in silence.
When we arrived back at the house, I put the food away and decided to forget about doing any work. Georgio could wait. I wanted to take an afternoon for me. I changed into my bikini and headed down to the pool. I spent the afternoon floating on the air mattress and reading one of my favorite books. I was completely swept away as the love story took over my mind. I was so absorbed in the characters, it took me a moment to hear the voices.
Using my hand as a paddle, I made my way over to the side and eased out of the pool. The tiles were hot, and I was thankful I’d packed my sandals and a silk robe and not something heavier.
I was curious to hear how Mariano’s day went, and I wanted to tell him I had bought ingredients to make us a dinner, perhaps for tomorrow night. Cooking was fun for me, and over the years it served as a stress reliever. Wyatt and I had taken cooking classes together, and we became quite good. Besides, I thought it might be a nice gesture since I was staying here for free.
I heard the voices and followed the sound down a long hallway. They became louder as I entered the library, and I came to a halt and took in the three men yelling at Mariano.
“His body was dug up! What were they looking for?” one man yelled.
Body?
I covered my mouth with my hands when they all turned at once, and I froze as they stared at me.
“I’m sorry.” What was happening here?
The man closest to me whirled around and pointed a gun to my forehead.
I screamed and tried to back up.
Oh, my God! My gaze jumped to Mariano for help.
“Stop moving, Sienna,” he ordered and looked at the man with the gun.
“How important is she to you?” The man’s voice was menacing.
“Come on,” Mariano laughed and eased himself onto a desk, “are we really doing this right now?”
“Mariano?” I felt like I was rooted to the floor or stuck in some nightmare. How was he so calm when all it would take to kill me was a flex of a tiny muscle.
Mariano sipped his drink like this happened every day. “Move the gun away.”
My panic took over, and I went to run, but the man with the gun lunged forward and wrapped his arm around my bare waist and pressed the hard steel to my temple.
My blood was like ice, and my heart pounded in fear.
“What were they looking for on my brother’s body?” The gun twitched as he spoke. “He was never a part of this!”
“I don’t know.” Mariano held his hands up. “Let’s just all relax and have a drink.”
“A drink?” The guy who was holding me laughed and smelled my hair like a snake taking in its prey. “I say let’s play with her instead.” His free hand started to move down my stomach.
“Don’t touch me.” My skin crawled under his touch.
“What did you say, pretty young thing?”
“I will chop off your sorry excuse of a penis and jam it down the barrel of your gun.” I tried to keep the fear from my voice.
The man laughed as I wiggled in his hold.
“It wouldn’t fit,” he whispered into my hair, and I wanted to vomit.
“That’s not what your sister said last night!”
His buddy smirked while I clamped my mouth shut in fear more garbage was going to fly out. Damn Wyatt for making me binge watch all those American movies.
The click of the hammer echoed in my ears as it was pulled back, and I knew it was time. I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the tiny bullet to wedge inside my skull, ending my hell of a journey in this life.
Suddenly, I was spun around and into a different pair of arms. It took me a half a second to know exactly who it was.
“Whatever the hell this is, it ends now,” Elio barked over my head while he held me protectively close to his chest. I saw that he held a much scarier looking gun in his free hand. “Get out.”
“Elio.” The man who had held the gun to my head spoke up with his hands in the air. “You need to control your friend.” He nodded at Mariano. “He’s stepping on dangerous territory by digging up my brother.”
“I won’t ask twice,” Elio snarled as the guys stared at Mariano for a beat longer.
“We know your face, and we know your name, little lady,” the creep said directly to me. “Let the games begin.”
I had one of the steadiest hands out there. It took a lot to cause it to waver, and it was why I was good at my part of the business. But seeing someone threaten Sienna nearly brought on the shakes.
She closed her eyes and turned her face into my chest, and I glared at my friend who had almost got her killed.
“It was just a misunderstanding.” Mariano sounded irritated. “I had it under control.”
The gun twitched in my hand. He was incredibly stupid at the worst of times.
“Sienna, the guy who is holding you is my business partner.” He then looked at me. “They wouldn’t’ve hurt her.”
Sienna was molded to my chest, and it brought back memories of her lying next to me on the lounge chair, looking up at the stars.
“Hey.” I rubbed a hand down her back and spoke gently. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Her voice betrayed her words, and her body trembled beneath my touch.
“Just focus on breathing.” I coached her through the shock. “What the hell was that about?”
Mariano shrugged like it was an everyday occurrence that these men were in his house threatening him.
“It was a misunderstanding, Elio. Don’t pull the rank card just yet.” He poured himself a drink and handed Sienna one from the table. “Drink up, dear.” She reached to take it, but I could see she didn’t want it and her hand shook as she held it. Who would want a used drink poured for someone else, perhaps the man who almost killed her? “It will help with the nerves.”
I took the glass from her and tossed it in the bar sink, shattering the glass.
“You’re slipping, Mariano. Everyone sees it!” I shouted, and as Sienna stepped back, I pressed her into me again.
“Sienna,” Mariano pulled her attention to him, and I slowly let her out of my hold, “you’re good, right?”
She nodded, but her raised shoulders told me otherwise.
“Why is she even here?” I saw red with him for involving her in this whole thing. I had sacrificed my own happiness to keep her out of this hell.
He started to grow annoyed with me and rubbed his face with a groan. “I thought she was in the pool.”
“Sienna,” I addressed her myself, “what did you hear?”
“Nothing.” She answered too quickly and continued to avoid eye contact with me.
“See, nothing to worry about, boss.” He smiled at me, and I wanted to drill my fist into his skull.
“Has he exposed you to anything else, Sienna?” I had to know, but I also knew I was asking in the worst way.
She glanced at him then lowered her gaze back to the floor.
“No, nothing.”
I licked the inside of my mouth and fisted my hand to control my temper that was about to blow.
“I’m tired of cleaning up your messes, Mariano.” I kept my voice calm. “But if you don’t smarten up, you’re going to ruin what we all have worked so hard for.”
“Thanks for the pep talk.” He snickered but stepped back when I stepped forward. “I need to make some calls.” He left us alone in the room, and everything suddenly became very intense.
Sienna’s gaze was still glued to the floor, and I wondered if what just happened was too much for her to handle.
“So,” she said slowly, “he knows my face?”
I closed my eyes and cursed Mariano.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Sienna.”
Her head shot up, and I saw I struck a chord.
“Forgive me for not believing you.”
Ouch. “Believe it or not, I kept my promise.”
“Right.” Her face scowled, and my rage bubbled up even further in my chest. She was the only one I would allow to speak to me like that.
“It’s true.”
She held up a hand and started to walk by me, but I blocked her path and steered her back against the wall. I used my height and weight and curled myself around her, trapping her so she couldn’t escape.
A light pink blush kissed her face just like when we were younger, when she was turned on.
Interesting…
I admired her toned skin and plump breasts that were half covered by her pink bikini. She smelled like coconut and fresh shampoo.
She tilted her head up, and I spotted her necklace. Using the tip of my finger I traced the thin chain from her shoulder, to her collarbone, down her chest, and to the side of her smooth breast to finger the two pendants. I was immediately tossed into the memory of giving it to her.
I couldn’t believe she still had it, let alone still wore it.
“Elio.” Her warm breath shot up at me, and I was instantly aroused.
“You still have this…” I stated and slipped my hand in between her robe and across her bare hip.
“I keep the things I love close.” She looked away.
“I can’t believe you’re here right now.” I missed being lost in her. I leaned down and ran my nose along her earlobe and into her hair like I used to do. “I missed this.”
I felt her body go stiff, and I knew I went too far.
“Whose fault is that?” Both her hands went to my chest and gently pushed me backward. I allowed it, as I knew this process would take baby steps. “I’m not yours to touch or play mind games with anymore.”
“I’m not playing mind games, Sienna.” I purposely reached out and hooked my fingers through hers to show I could still touch her.
“I’m not like you, Elio.” She wiggled free and ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “I can’t just turn that switch back on.”
“It’s not a goddamn switch.” I pointed to my chest. “It’s us, Sienna, it’s what we’ve always had. An unexplainable connection, love.”
“Love.” She laughed like I was mad. “You have a pretty horrible way of showing love, Elio.”
My phone rang, and I knew who it was. I cursed and pulled it from my coat pocket.
