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“Yeah?”
“Don’t judge Bianca too harshly.”
“Do you read minds, Sammy?” Nick asked, taking a drink.
“Kind of, it’s one of the things that makes me a great poker player.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I know what Bianca did was over the top, but she grew up surrounded by bullshit like that. I mean, just look at what her father was about to do. She’s a really good person at heart.”
“I know she is,” Nick said with a sigh, “but going to such lengths just because she wanted attention, I mean, it’s bordering on crazy.”
“In a normal world, you’re right, but not in her world.”
“Sammy, you’re a good friend for defending her. To be honest, when I learned what she’d done I was shocked, and I’m never shocked.”
“How did you find out, or did she tell you?”
“By the time she did, I already knew. I was monitoring Matteus and I overheard him talking to Tony. Apparently Matt has a hidden security camera in his backyard and he saw her leave the package with the money and instructions. I played the recording for Lorenzo and Ariana. They wouldn’t have believed me without it.”
“Bianca, you silly girl,” Sammy said, shaking his head. “I wish she’d told me what she was up to. I might have been able to talk her out of it,” then pausing, he added, “Nick, in spite of all his proclamations about keeping her safe, in many ways Lorenzo has been an absent father, and her mother isn’t much better.”
“Bianca made that pretty clear in her diatribe, but it doesn’t justify what she did.”
“Maybe not, but she must have been feeling pretty crazed, and we don’t know what was happening at the time. Maybe I’m overstepping, but she needs a man like you. A man who’s strong and loving and can keep her in check. Nick, she’s nuts about you. Please don’t give up on her.”
“You should have been a lawyer,” Nick remarked with a grin.
“I can’t see a high-school dropout being accepted at Harvard, but I have no complaints. I’m good at what I do, and I love it.”
“That’s why you’ll be a star. Don’t worry, I’m not about to walk away. Come on, I’ll take you to your room. I’m not sure what time we’ll be up, but feel free to help yourself to whatever you want if you beat us to the kitchen.”
* * *
After showing Sammy to the guest suite, Nick walked around the house checking to make sure it was secure, then climbed into bed and sank into the mattress. As the deep weariness moved through his bones, the divine feel of her warm, soft body evoked a deep sigh. Though she had her faults, she was brave and smart, and she wanted to explore his dark side as much as he wanted to share it with her, but his thoughts soon gave way to a deep sleep…
Waking with a start, his eyes popped open. The bed was empty. Wondering how she could have slipped away without disturbing him, he climbed out, hastily dressed, and hurried into the hall. Hearing laughter from the kitchen, he paused his step to take a breath, then walked in. Bianca and her parents were at the kitchen table, along with a well-dressed man who looked like a younger version of Lorenzo.
“Good morning,” Nick said with a smile. “You must be Alfredo. I’m Nick Vincelli, it’s good to meet you.”
“Hi, Nick,” Alfredo replied, rising to his feet and shaking Nick’s hand with a broad smile. “It’s great to meet you as well. Apparently you’re quite the hero. Thanks for saving my sister.”
“Would you like some toast?” Ariana asked as Nick sat down. “This is the first time I’ve made breakfast for my family in years. It was fun.”
“Sure,” Nick replied, feeling slightly uneasy surrounded by the Albertini clan.
“I wasn’t sure if I should wake you,” Bianca said softly as Nick poured himself some coffee from the decanter on the table. “You were out cold. I figured you needed the sleep.”
“Yeah, no problem, where’s Sammy? Have you seen him?”
“He left on a hike. He said he’d never seen canyons like this and wanted to explore.”
“Nick, Alfredo just came in from New York,” Lorenzo abruptly announced. “He met with your father. We’ll be doing some business.”
“Mr. Albertini, that’s great, but I’m not involved with Dad’s organization. My life is completely separate.”
“Yes, yes, I know all that, but if you and Bianca will be living and working together, it’s important our two families are on good terms.”
