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“Maybe later,” Uncle Nico says, his voice dripping with innuendo.
Well. Who would’ve guessed my uncle is such a dirty old man?
She spins around and hurries away with quick steps.
“She’s a shy one,” he says, craning his neck to follow her exit from the room. “But I’m derailing you.” Studying me with a shrewd expression, he says, “You haven’t told me what business brings you here.”
I slip a finger into my collar and loosen my tie. “Tell me about my wife. What did she do yesterday?”
He blinks. “Don’t you have the hourly reports from Toma and Gianni?”
“Yes, but it’s been so long since I visited you, I thought I’d drop in and get the feedback in person.”
He smiles even as his eyes tighten minutely. He’s not buying it. “How kind of you. You’re in luck. I read the report myself.”
The housekeeper—Emilia—enters with two cups of espresso. She puts one on the coffee table in front of me. When she leaves my uncle’s cup on the side table, he sticks a hand up her skirt and palms her ass.
“Thank you, Emilia,” he says, looking at her like a wolf sizing up a lamb.
How much does he pay her? It must be a lot. I don’t imagine she’s enduring his humiliating advances for the sake of love.
She stands motionless until he withdraws his hand and pats her backside.
When she’s gone, he brings his fingers to his nose and sniffs them. “There’s something about the smell of a woman.”
Christ. I’m going to puke.
“Anyway,” he says with a sigh. “Where were we? Ah, yes. The report. Toma was on duty. Let me see.” He taps a finger on his chin. “She went out for a walk after breakfast.”
I raise a brow and wait.
He folds his hands over his knee and regards me with a solemn expression.
“That’s it?” I ask.
“In the evening, you arrived. As for what happened then, only you can say.”
“Then I went home,” I say.
“Oh. You mean after you spent some time inside? Yes, yes. You went home.”
He doesn’t know about Sophie, or he would’ve mentioned her. Which makes me wonder if my cousins are doing their jobs. Or if they chose not to mention anything about the girl snooping around the house, stealing food, and climbing through the window. And if so, for what reason? Why hide it from me? What purpose will that serve?
“Why are you asking?” Making owl eyes, he leans closer. “Did something happen?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Good.” He nods to himself and picks up his cup. “You should drop in more often. This is nice.”
I don’t think so.
I down my coffee and leave the cup on the saucer before getting to my feet. “I’ll let you get to your scones and cream.”
He’s all teeth as he follows my example and stands. “Do let me know in advance next time you’re planning a visit. I’ll make sure Toma is home. We can have lunch together.”
“Where is Toma?”
“He got his own place.” He tilts his head. “Didn’t you know?”
