“We were talking about the baby.” Which is true. “And it just…well. Seeing my friend pregnant and vulnerable, it makes me worry even more about her being in the middle of things.”
He looks at me unblinkingly, as if he’s silently weighing my words. That cool, impassive expression can be incredibly intimidating. Especially when you’re hiding something.
“In the middle of what things? The day-to-day goings-on of a mob family?” he presses.
Looking down, I grab another cracker and drag it through the jam. I feel like I’m about to put my foot in my mouth, and I need to backpedal fast. It’s no secret that the Bellantis have mob ties, but that’s basically all I’m supposed to know—besides whatever else Frankie shares with me. Armani knows I’m her friend, but he also knows she wouldn’t divulge to me what their family’s actual involvement in mob activities might entail. I need to step lightly.
I clear my throat. “I guess. The mob stuff all seems really dangerous, whatever it is.”
He finishes his cheese and then quickly stands, his stool skidding back with a screech. What did I say? Did I give myself away? My pulse jacks, but I don’t know how to fix this.
Looking down at me, he threads his fingers into my hair and forces me to look at him.
“I said I protect what’s mine,” he says. “Do you need another reminder already?”
Thank God. I’m off the hook. He doesn’t suspect a thing. Unless…he’s playing with me. But it doesn’t matter what his objective is, as long as he stops asking questions.
“Yes,” I breathe. Whatever it takes to keep him distracted. “Yes, I do.”
13
CANDI
Voicingmy fears last night must have made Armani soften toward me…or maybe he’s just trying to keep a closer eye on my daily routine. Either way, the very next morning I wake up to find him still in bed, when usually he’d be long gone already. That’s a huge change.
And I like it.
Which is why, even though I should know better, I don’t question his motives too deeply.
“Are you playing hooky today?” I tease, my voice still husky with sleep.
“I wish,” he says.
After which he gets up, giving me a delicious view of his bare ass as he heads for the shower. The next time I open my eyes, he’s working on his tie in the mirror. I sit up in bed, and as I watch him, I decide that I’m going to stalk him for the day.
I’m not going to learn anything about this family if I stick to my usual schedule. It’s time I got a better sense of the Bellantis’ business, and no one is better suited to showing me the ropes than Armani. Approaching him slowly, I reach up and start to adjust his tie. He lets me.
“You know, I was thinking,” I say as I tweak the knot in the silk. “It might be good for me to understand more about how the winery works. You know, see the wheels turn?”
He stands patiently while I finish with the tie.
“What wheels?” he asks.
Good. He didn’t immediately shoot me down. I continue making my case.
“I know how to sell your wine, obviously. But sometimes I feel…I don’t know. Like maybe I could be doing more. I’m interested in the back end of things. I know Frankie is the grape expert, but what about pressing, blending, bottling? Or, I don’t know, shipping? Maybe I’m not cut out for any of that, but I’d like to find out. Sales is great, it’s just…monotonous. I guess my spirit is more adventurous than I realized when I chose my major in college.”
I realize I’m not bluffing. That I just bared my soul. Everything I’m telling him is true.
Armani cocks a brow. “Really?”
My heart blips at the whisper of suspicion in his tone.
“Really.” I give him my best smile and pat his tie.
“Hm.”
Armani slips into his suit jacket and adjust the cuffs. I can’t help but admire the cut of his suit and how it clings to his body. He looks sexy, strong, competent. Then again, Armani Bellanti would look hot wearing a feed sack. My mind’s eye recalls his naked skin decorated with dark tattoos, how the art hugs and highlights each rise and fall of muscle and bone. He might be dangerous and unpredictable, but I swear Armani is every woman’s dream.
