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The seed had been planted.
Pippo leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh and then shot a glance over at his brothers.
“Give us some time to discuss this.”
“Of course. Thank you for giving me this chance.” I turned on my heel and walked out of the meeting room with my head held high.
Once back in my room, I sagged against the wall and sucked in a deep breath.
That was intense!
“Hey.” Ugo emerged from my bathroom. No doubt he’d been waiting for me for quite some time. He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me over. “Where have you been?”
“Playing one hell of a role with the uncles.” I started to laugh on my crazy high. “I did everything you said to do.”
“Even the part about the trafficking?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And I think I put the first wedge in place.”
His face sagged with relief and his hands moved to his mouth as he digested it.
“I nearly had a stroke up here.”
“Yeah, you and me both.”
I wanted to celebrate, pop champagne, and jump around to music, anything to rid myself of the anxiety of what I had just done, but I also knew this was only the beginning.
“How are you feeling?” He eyed me carefully.
“Honestly?” My grin spread across my face. “Fantastic.”
I had won the uncles over and planted the seed of doubt within them about Stefano. Now it was in their hands. It was the first chip I’d taken at the Coppola foundation, and I knew it wouldn’t be my last.
* * *
The house was quiet and calm for the next few days. I knew a big part of that was because Nonna Rosa and Stefano were off on a short trip. As much as I was curious about what that was about, I decided to just sit around and let the staff get used to me being here. They had no reason to suspect me and were relaxed around me. Donte had taught me a lot about how the staff worked in a house this size. I knew the head cook carried a lot of weight and to always get in good with theconsigliere. Both would know everything that was happening inside and outside the house. At that particular moment, it was the reason I was tucked in a comfy chair under the planter box that sat below the kitchen window. To anyone else, I was enjoying the sunny day, but I was also getting an earful from one of the staff members about someone who was coming back tonight. I was very curious to know just whoshewas.
My mind drifted off, and I wondered what the Capris were up to. My stomach twisted when I thought of Francesco and how he’d worked so hard to make sure I never ended up here. I wished I could see Elio. I missed him the most, but I knew he was the last person I could see.
I hated how wound-up he’d been the last time I saw him. I knew he needed me physically, but right now, I wasn’t able to give him that. I closed my eyes and remembered how his kisses felt. I could almost feel the way his hands would grasp at me, so desperate for a connection. The smell of his suit came to me, no doubt fresh from the cleaners. I leaned farther back in the lounge chair and let my head go deeper into my thoughts. The way his eyes were so hungry for me and how he risked everything the other night at the party just to see me because that was what I did for Elio. I grounded him.
“Good dream?” Salvo’s shadow blocked the warmth the sunlight had provided me. “Because you looked really happy.”
“The best.” I played along, not wanting to show any disappointment that he’d interrupted my moment. “Then you came along,” I joked.
“Oh, please, I’ll wait.” He took the seat next to me and waited like the sarcastic ass he was.
So, I continued to play along. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath then counted to twenty before I let one eye open to look over at him. “Now, I’m done.”
“I’m so glad.” He chuckled as he held up his phone. “I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“Sure.” I sat up and removed my sunglasses to see his screen better. “What am I looking at?”
“Well, you know the Capris,” I nodded as my curiosity took over, “and you know Elio better than anyone, so can you tell me who this is?” He pressed play on the video, and it took me a moment to realize it was Elio dancing with another woman. I inched closer and squinted, realizing they were at the same restaurant he first took me to. It was as if a sledgehammer had just come down and swung into my stomach. The blow was hard to absorb, so I pretended I was thinking. I knew the heat from my hurt was spreading up my neck, and it would be only a few seconds before my cheeks would give my feelings away.
