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"Well, technically his in-laws are dead," Raf adds grimly. "But it would make sense. I've been researching all of our family assets locally and abroad, and in doing so I took a look at the competition in Italy. Damiano Marchesi, Allegra's cousin, inherited the titles and the properties after her parents passed. But they were all pretty bankrupt."
"Yes. Damiano is not someone well-known in our circles," Vlad explains. "Except for Allegra, I don't think anyone's even met the man. But considering the five families' legacy and the fact that we've officially entered an accord, without Marchesi per se, mind you, and I think he'd be the one most interested to break in."
"And once more we find ourselves with the same dilemma. If they want to enter, they will need someone to open the door," Raf groans.
"Indeed. From what I gather, Ortega is trying to chase after Michele for the initial terms of their bargain. Now if he entered a partnership with someone else, for a common goal and a common enemy…" Vlad trails off.
"We're reaching," Raf puts a hand up. "We don't even know if this Damiano guy is involved and we're already placing him with Ortega?"
"How old is Damiano?" Sisi asks.
"Late twenties? Around there," Vlad shrugs.
"I don't think it's reaching," I interrupt, and suddenly all eyes are on me. "What I meant to say," I clear my throat, adding some uncertainty to my tone. "For either of them to getin, they will need someone to open that door. It doesn't matter who seeks entry. It matters who can provide it. And in this case," I pause again, looking around the table as I lower my voice, "the only one who can provide the entry is Michele. He has the resources, the money, the manpower. And he doesn't haveanyoutstanding promise with anyone else. It doesn't matter that he no longer has the Guerra name. He has everything else."
"Who would have thought," Vlad laughs. "You married a smart one," he taunts Raf, pointing at me.
Immediately, my hand seeks his under the table.
"Thank you," Raf preens, giving me a look of pure adoration. "Noelle is right in that aspect. It all comes down to Michele."
"Then maybe we should start there. Where is he?"
I look surreptitiously to Venezia, noticing her downcast gaze and the blush staining her cheeks.
How the hell no one noticed until now that the girl blushes every time Michele is mentioned?
Raf shrugs at the question.
"He'll show himself eventually. He always does."
To my trained ears, that sounds more like,I don't care, I haven't been looking for him.And it just serves to reinforce my opinion about Raf's stance on Michele.
As the conversation turns to the trends of the market, Raf and Vlad are on one side talking, while Sisi, Venezia and I occupy our time with more friendly topics.
The wine flows freely, and both Sisi and I become a little giggly while Venezia gives us a smile every now and then while nursing her orange juice.
"Kuznetsov? Fancy seeingyouhere," a man's voice resounds from behind. Turning, it's to see a man in his fifties and two women around my age coming in. Given that they've been led to this part of the restaurant, it's clear they belong to the inner circle somehow.
"Judge Reynolds," Vlad rises, shaking hands with the man. He does a short introduction to everyone at the table before the judge does the same.
"These are my daughters. Eleanor and Elizabeth."
Eleanor is the oldest, in her early twenties, while Elizabeth just turned eighteen.
"Why don't you join us? Venezia is also eighteen. Maybe her and Elizabeth could get along."
Venezia makes herself look smaller in her seat, clearly getting the innuendo. She has no friends. I'd heard it from Sisi before, and earlier today from Venezia. She never managed to make friends at school and has always been more or less a loner—the perfect target for Michele.
"Why not?" The judge chuckles, inviting his daughters to take a seat.
Elizabeth comes on our side, sitting by Venezia while Eleanor takes a seat next to her father at the top of the table—coincidentally next to Raf.
Or, at least, too close to him for my liking.
"Have you been able to look into Marcello's case?" Sisi asks, and it soon becomes clear that he's one of their contacts within the justice system.
"I'm not personally on the case, but I've made some inquiries. So far, the video is the main piece of evidence. Unless it turns out to be fake, I don't know what to tell you," the man sighs.
