Edoardo appeared then. “Adamo, Audrianna, get inside.”
“We just wanted to say hello,” Adamo protested.
“You’re keeping us from business.”
With sullen expressions, the twins went back inside, leaving us alone with Edoardo. “I’m glad the two of you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting us,” Drea replied.
Waving his hand at me, Edoardo said, “Come, come. You and I will speak before lunch.”
“That sounds good.”
After walking inside the house, Drea’s mother appeared and dragged her away. Once we got inside Edoardo’s study, he motioned for me to have a seat in one of the leather-backed chairs in front of his desk.
“It is my understanding that through your sister’s marriage, you have connections in the UK.”
Nodding, I replied, “Yes. Primarily in Northern Ireland and the Republic. Not only are the Kavanaughs in Belfast, but Callum’s mother’s family is from Dublin.”
Edoardo’s eyes lit up. “That is very good to hear.”
“What did you have in mind?”
Shifting in his chair, his expression told me he didn’t trust me with the information. “Edoardo, how is our alliance benefitting each other if we can't be honest with each other?”
“How could I possibly trust you when you were carrying on with Drea before the wedding? I mean, if you’ll fuck over your own brother, why wouldn’t you do the same to me?”
An icy fear pricked its way up my spine at his declaration. I never imagined he would ever find out about Drea and me. “First of all, I didn’t fuck over Rafe. We both know his feelings for Drea. While I might’ve fallen in love with Drea, I only ever kissed her the night of the reception party.”
“Yes, my security advisor brought the footage to me after the wedding. He only pulled it because there was a broken window in the greenhouse, and he wanted to find the culprit.”
Fuck. My temper tantrum had come back to bite me in the ass. “I think the two of us need to leave the past behind us.”
“Is that right?” Edoardo sneered.
“You seem to forget being ready to kill Rafe at his own wedding. How canItrust someone who didn’t adhere to the rules of weapons at funerals and weddings?”
As Edoardo pursed his lips at me, I said, “I think the scorecard is even between us when it comes to trust issues.”
“Perhaps,” he grumbled.
Tilting my head at him, I smiled. “Come on, Edoardo. We both know we don’t have to like the people we do business and have alliances with. You want something from my connections to the UK. In turn, I want something from you.”
“What’s that?”
“I want you to help me secure land for a casino here in Philly.”
His brows shot up. “Here? Why not in your territory?"
“The gaming commission doesn’t allow them. If I want my casino, I’m going to have to look elsewhere.”
Edoardo stroked his chin in thought. “Are you prepared to offer me a percentage of the profits?”
“Fuck no.”
“Excuse me?”
I laughed. “I’ll give you a finder's fee on the land, but this casino is mine and mine alone. I don’t even want my brothers’ fingers in it, least of all yours.”
