Tomasso flicks the pen onto the table and leans back, legs spread, his shoulders loose. “Finesse,” he echoes, like it’s a joke. But there’s no mockery in his eyes, only interest.
Elvio shrugs off the jab, clearly used to Tomasso’s tone. “You’ll have full access to the port manifests by Monday. As agreed.”
I nod. “And the customs clearances?”
“In your inbox by this evening.”
I reach for the folder and slip the paper in, and close it with finality. “Then we’re done.”
Tomasso whistles. “Two deals done in a day.”
Elvio extends a hand, and I grip it in a firm handshake. The handshake signifies the impending goodwill of the deal, and it reflects in the room. His men relax slightly, one adjusting his cufflinks, and another checking his phone. The tension in the room eases… but not entirely. Business like ours never fully settles.
Elvio watches me for a while, his sharp gaze deliberating, then he holds up a hand to his men. “Wait outside.”
I do the same, and my men follow suit.
Elvio’s demeanor shifts, softening. I see the moment he steps out of the business dealer role into the father figure one. “I’ve been remiss, Giovanni. I haven’t asked after you. How are you?”
I arch a brow in a mocking and affectionate way.
He smiles. “Stepping into your father’s shoes can't be easy. How’s it treating you? Anyone bold enough to challenge you yet?”
I laugh, leaning into the relaxed atmosphere. “They try, Elvio. They always try.”
Tomasso grins, leaning forward. “A few whispers, and a couple of upstarts flexing muscles. But no one’s got the balls to face Gio head-on.”
My voice is smug. “They’d be foolish to try.”
Elvio nods, his eyes glinting with approval. “Good. You’re your father’s son. But you’ve got a little more iron in your spine.”
“That's our Gio.” Tomasso’s voice is fond. I shoot him an irritated look, but I'm grateful for his support. Always.
Elvio adjusts his cuffs and adds, almost as an afterthought, “I heard about the marriage. Quiet affair. No fanfare. Why keep it under wraps?”
My mind flashes to Liliana, to three days ago when she kissed me boldly in the hall, only to run and avoid me since. I feel a lightness in my chest. She's stepping out from the shadows she'd been confined in since childhood. It's slow, but it's progress.
She'd been bold enough to kiss me, but not bold enough to face the aftermath of her awakening a primal urge in me. She’s been elusive since. Not as distant as she was before, but distant enough to frustrate me.
I’ve allowed it because I’ve been buried in paperwork, new alliance talks, internal security restructuring, and a meeting with the Inter-Northern Syndicate that nearly went to bloodshed. But the memory of that afternoon hasn’t left me.
"I didn’t want to publicize it," I say, leaning forward. "Not with everything still settling. I’ve inherited more than my father’s seat, Elvio. I’ve inherited his enemies too. And putting her in a spotlight could’ve made her a target.”
He grunts in approval. “Smart. Shame, though. It's been the grandest thing in Italian history. I’m sure she’s remarkable.”
I don’t hesitate. “She is.” I don't bother to hide the pride in my voice.
Tomasso smirks. “He’s in love. Head over heels.”
I don’t correct him, but I shoot him a glare.
Elvio’s face softens, his voice warm. “Love’s a rare thing in our world. I had it with my Teresa, God rest her. She softened me, Giovanni. Not many knew that. But she did. When she died, she took a piece of me with her.” He pauses, as if recollecting old memories, then he smiles fondly. “Cherish what you have, Giovanni.”
There’s a weight to his words. I nod in respect. The silence stretches for a breath, then another. I break it by shifting the subject. “Where's Renata these days? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
Elvio chuckles, shaking his head. “That girl’s off gallivanting the globe. Paris, Tokyo, who knows? Last I heard, she was in Bali. I've stopped keeping track. Camilla’s the one with her head on straight. She's the spine of this business.”
There's no real condescension for his second daughter. He loves her just as much as Camilla; that much is obvious.
