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“That’s her choice. Not mine. But her decision can’t be under threat of death.”
“But if she doesn’t join...”
“Then she will have to be eliminated but she has tochoosethe family without knowing that. Joining under threat doesn’t breed loyalty. It breeds resentment and while I’d rather just keep her here under threat then have to kill her, we’ve all seen how dangerous resentment can be after what happened with Gabe. I can’t afford that kind of risk. Not anymore. Not with...” Teo glanced at Mia with a strange look in his eye and I couldn’t help feeling like there was something I was missing.
“What? What is it?” I looked between the two of them for an explanation.
Teo nodded to Mia, and she smiled softly. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Everything else left my mind for a moment as I was overfilled with joy for my friend. He and Mia had been through so much, they deserved every happiness the world could offer.
“You’re having a baby?” I looked between Teo and Mia in shock. “That’s amazing news.” I slapped Teo on the back. “Congratulations. Truly.”
“Thank you.”
I gave Teo a friendly punch to the arm. “Way to bury the lead there, Papa.”
Teo chuckled before his expression turned serious again. “But you can understand why I refuse to take the added risk right now?”
I nodded solemnly. “Can I have a little time to try to convince her at least? To show her that there is more to this life than the narrow view she’s seen this far?”
Teo nodded. “One month.”
“You should have her help Armando at the clinic while she’s in town. He’s always looking for good help and it could show her some of the good that we do,” Mia added.
While Armando was the Monticelli doctor and not part of the Venturi family, since the two families merged, he’d been helping take some of the work off of our aging family physician.
“That’s an excellent idea.” Teo nodded thoughtfully.
Chapter 9
Alessandro
"Ah, there she is now." Teo nodded his head toward the doorway, and I followed his gaze.
I gasped, my jaw dropping open, and I struggled to gain enough control to close my mouth, but I couldn't manage to tear my eyes from her.
Sienna wore a black cocktail dress with a low neckline that accentuated her curves. The swell of her breasts was exposed just enough to be sexy without being tasteless.
Her hair was curled in loose waves that framed her face which was adorn with just enough makeup to bring out her naturally plump lips and mesmerizing, hazel eyes.
Teo cleared his throat, and I realized that not only had I been staring, but my gaze had somehow rooted her where she stood.
I rose from the table and pulled out the chair beside me. "Please, sit."
"Thank you." The slight tremble of her voice betrayed her nerves, but she moved gracefully to her seat.
I took my place beside her and one of the housekeepers filled her wine glass.
“Signora, I’m sorry,Dottoressa,thank you for joining us this evening,” Teo said in his most charming, host voice.
“I wasn’t aware that I had much of a choice in the matter.” Sienna glanced toward me with a harshness in her eye before forcing a smile back at Teo. “But you have a lovely home and I’m grateful for the hospitality.”
“Thank you. And as for the circumstances of how you came here, I’m afraid that I must apologize for the unorthodox manner in which we have come to meet. However, I do believe that it will prove to be most beneficial to us both.”
“Oh, really? How so?”
Teo scooted his wine glass out of his way and leaned in toward her. “Luca is one of my dearest friends and I am grateful to be able to thank you properly, and in person, for saving his life.”
