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“Where did you learn?”
“My best friend is from New York.” I focused on my pronunciation to sound even better. “He didn’t like it when I would visit and not be able to understand the conversations that went on around me. So, little by little, he taught me.” I paused, wanting to address the elephant in the room before the uncles could bring it up. I needed to gain some power, so I decided to be blunt, let them know I had nothing to hide. “Of course, it also helped that my ex spoke perfect English and so did his family.”
“Is that so?” She was digging, so I hit her with it.
“Yes, but something tells me you would already know the Capri family is fluent in many languages.”
It was as though all the air in the room was sucked out with their collective gasp. I was ready for it, so I casually picked up the wine menu and started to read.
“I hear Summas is really good.” I pointed to the name and looked over at Salvo, who was smiling. Clearly, I had impressed him, and I only hoped I had impressed the others too. I gave a quick glance at Pippo, who sported a smug grin. The only one who looked uneasy was Ugo. He tugged at his tie and kept looking at his phone.
“You dated Elio Capri?” The woman shifted in her seat, and something in the way she said it told me that she might have had some interest in Elio herself.
“Yes, for quite some time, actually.”
“I was under the impression Elio didn’t have girlfriends.” The tip of her finger traced circles on the table surface, a tell that she was threatened by me.
“Well, I’m not sure I’d have given myself that title. He had many women, and they all wanted his attention. I think I just put up with his bullshit more than the others, plus I make a finelampredotto. We all know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I laughed, drawing the others into the conversation. If there was one thing I knew about men and business meetings, it was that they needed to be included to feel important. “So,” I addressed the tall man, “why don’t you tell me what we can help you with tonight.”
And just like that, Pippo jumped in, and we started to discuss various contracts. He led me through several of them.
“What do you think?” Pippo asked me as he pushed his plate away and leaned back, making room for his stomach to puff out.
“Well…” I paused to choose my words carefully. Elio had asked me to mention a company in front of the elders, as Piero couldn’t understand why the Coppolas weren’t trying to go after one of the biggest contracts out there right now in the United States. “I remember hearing about this company from Elio, Cooper Industries. Do you know them?”
“Yes, we’ve done business with them in the past, but they haven’t offered us anything over the past few years.” The man seemed lost in thought.
“What have you heard about them?” Pippo cut in. “Perhaps we could approach them again.”
Shit. I didn’t need to them going after Cooper Industries. I just wanted to know why they weren’t fighting for a deal.
“Well, it’s important to understand how much the company is still worth, since they had to make that big settlement a few years back. I’m sure you heard about it, as it went public. There was a deal that fell through with a third party, and they took the hit.” It was true something big happened, and Cooper Industries had kept it very quiet.
“Good to know.” Pippo flashed me a smile as the tall man nodded and pulled out his phone.
“Can I ask something?” I addressed the tall man. He put his phone down on the table and gave me a wave to go on. “Why do you think Cooper Industries isn’t offering you anything?”
Silence fell over them, and I wondered what door I’d just opened.
Pippo cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable. “I’m not sure. They haven’t answered my emails for a while now.”
“Mmm.” I let it go, but something didn’t sit right with me. “If I were you,” I pointed to the company folder I had in front of me, “I’d sign with Dry Docks. That’s the company Elio wants the most.”
“Good to know.” Pippo nodded at the tall man, and I smiled back but for a very different reason.
The chatter started up again, and I eased back in my seat, feeling pretty good that I’d sold a dead bird to these people. Elio wanted nothing to do with Dry Docks. They were run by a hot-headed Texan who would question the Coppolas motives every step of the way.
“I think I just fell in love with you.” Salvo leaned in, and his lips brushed my ear softly. Painful goosebumps broke out over my body as I willed myself to stay still. “Gorgeous and brains, you’re a deadly combo.”
“You’ve no idea.” I grinned, slipping a mask over my emotion. I wanted to wring his neck for speaking to Pippo before I could.
“It’s taking everything in me not—”
“Excuse me.” I had no interest in letting him finish his sentence. “I need to use the ladies’ room.” I placed my napkin on the table as Ugo got to his feet.
“I’ve got her.” Salvo stood, ushering me ahead of him. I gave a quick glance at Ugo to let him know that I wasn’t comfortable being alone with him. “It’s right there in the back.” He pointed, and as I started to walk, I felt his hand slide down my spine to rest low on my back.
Just as we turned down the short hallway, his fingers moved around to my hip, bringing me to a stop. I purposely kept a distance from the wall, wanting the extra space to escape if he tried anything. I hoped to God Ugo was on our heels.
