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Though Nick wanted to share the truth about his background, it would serve no purpose, and a chain was only as strong as its weakest link. It was an adage he knew all too well. His familial ties to the Vincelli organization had to be kept under wraps.
“Is everything okay?” Bianca asked as he settled in next to her.
“Yep, it’s all under control. You don’t have to worry about Big Mike. He’s been taken care of.”
“What do you mean, taken care of?”
“He didn’t come to any harm, if that’s what you’re asking me.”
“It is, and I’m glad. I never felt he was a bad guy, and I can’t say that about all the men Dad has working for him, though I have no right to make a statement like that. I don’t know them.”
“We all have our instincts, and they’re usually right,” he replied, taking her hand. “Bianca, there’s something I need to tell you. Prepare yourself.”
“Good grief, there’s more drama? Now what?”
“Your parents are waiting at my sister’s house.”
“You can’t be serious,” she exclaimed, staring at him with wide eyes. “Why are they here and why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just did,” he said, raising his eyebrows, “and I wasn’t about to tell you earlier and ruin our evening.”
“Oh… yes, I understand,” she muttered with a sigh. “You’re right, I’m glad I didn’t know, but I can’t wait to see them. Why are they at your sister’s house?”
“That was my suggestion. A home is private. Would you really want to meet up with them at a hotel?”
“Absolutely not, some money-grubbing hotel clerk would tip off the press and they’d descend like the vultures they are.”
“Those were my thoughts exactly. I work with the rich and famous all the time, and avoiding the paparazzi is always at the top of my to-do list.”
“Wow, Mom and Dad are here,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s frickin’ crazy, I can’t believe it.”
“I’ll leave you alone with them. You have a lot of catching up to do.”
“No, please don’t,” she said quickly. “Whatever we talk about, I want you there.”
“Okay, Bianca, I’ll stick around, but if I start to feel you should be by yourselves, I’ll slip away.”
* * *
While Lorenzo paced and sipped on a glass of whiskey, Ariana remained seated on the couch and fiddled with the gold heart around her neck. It held pictures of her two children when they were newborns. Though she wore the expensive jewelry Lorenzo had given her over the years, the heart never came off.
“How much longer will they be?” she asked anxiously. “I hope nothing happened to them.”
“They left the restaurant twenty minutes ago,” Lorenzo replied. “They should be driving up any minute now.”
“Lorenzo…”
“Don’t say it. I already know how you feel.”
“But you’re wrong about this,” she exclaimed, rising to her feet. “Ambush your men all you want, but not our daughter. Don’t you think she’s been through enough?”
“I’ll admit she’s—
“Excuse me, Mr. Albertini…?” Sammy said deferentially, walking into the room and interrupting him.
“Sammy, she’ll be here any minute,” Lorenzo shouted. “Stay out of sight until I call you.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t help hearing what your wife said as I was about to walk in, and that’s why I’m here,” Sammy said solemnly, moving across to the bay windows and staring out at the colorfully lit landscaped garden. “That’s so beautiful,” he murmured. “It must be magical living up here in the canyons.”
