Page 89 of Lorenzo

Then Lorenzo surprises me by leaning forward, and kissing my nose.

I know he meant the kiss to soothe my objections.

But the gesture also startles me. My husband, affectionate in public?

“I was hoping to walk Biscotti in the park before I go to the restaurant. How do I contact Ernesto? How long must I wait to arrive?”

“Here’s his contact information,” says Lorenzo, handing me a card. “You’re his only responsibility so it should be immediate. Call him now and tell him when you’d like to leave.”

Lorenzo disappears into his office, already back to work.

Gina reaches for my hand.

“Thanks for volunteering to take Biscotti on his walk this morning,” she says, turning around to make sure Ciro’s out of earshot.

“Biscotti likes Ciro, but he adores you.”

Biscotti yips and flashes me his little doggy grin, as if he understood what Gina said.

Once Ciro serves me my coffee, I smile up at him.

“Do you mind if I talk with Gina a few moments in private?”

“Of course not,” he says, withdrawing down the hall.

Once he’s gone, I lean close to Gina.

“Did you know that Dante and Lorenzo are in the mafia?”

She nods.

“Does it bother you knowing what they do for a living?”

Gina hesitates. “This world isn’t as simple as good people and bad people.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean Dante’s an honest man. If he gives his word, he’ll die before he breaks it. He protects his family. He protects people under his care. The men who follow him would do anything for him because he’s earned that loyalty.”

She holds my gaze.

“You don’t have to approve of their world, Emily. But before you judge Lorenzo, make sure you’re judging the whole man.”

At that moment, she winces and her hand flies to her stomach.

“What was that? Are you okay?”

“Yes. Just the baby kicking,” she says as Lorenzo comes out of his library.

“Ernesto’s waiting for you downstairs in the lobby.”

“That’s my cue,” says Gina, getting down from the tall stool. She leads me to a neat closet near the door.

“Here’s Biscotti’s leash.”

“Of course it’s pink with faux diamonds,” I say, bending down to put it on him.

“Anything else I should know about walking him?”