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"Oh, my goodness.That is amazing.They are so very talented.I have seen many of their performances.I was actually a violinist when I was younger," Jennifer continued."Your mother was my idol."
"I'm glad she inspired you."
"I would love to meet them someday.They're not with you tonight, are they?"
"No.They're on tour."
"Perhaps we can set something up for another time.We have your information on the guest list.Would it be all right if I have my assistant contact you?"
"Of course," Nick said."I'm sure they would love to meet you."
"Not more than I would love to meet them."
"Now, now, Jennifer," Dario said."You don't want him to think you're a stalker."
She gave Nick an apologetic look."My husband is right.I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize.We're excited to see your art."
"Dario has a spectacular collection," Jennifer said, casting her husband an adoring glance."He has a brilliant eye.He sees so many things I do not."
"I understand you own several galleries," Nick said.
"In Roma, Firenze, and Milano," Dario replied, pausing when a man with light brown hair and striking green eyes joined him."This is one of my most trusted associates, Matthew Pierre.Matthew is responsible for putting together tonight's collection.He also oversees my galleries so that I can spend more time with this beautiful woman."
"Which makes him so valuable," Jennifer crooned, giving her husband another infatuated look, which kind of made Isabella's stomach turn.Were they really that much in love?It seemed a little much.
"This is Nick Caruso and Isabella…" Dario gave her an apologetic look."I'm sorry.I forgot your last name."
"Rossi," she supplied.
"Sí.My apologies, Signorina Rossi."
She gave Dario a smile, then said hello to Matthew.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Matthew said."I hope you'll spend some time in our gallery.We have some unique pieces that will be sold tonight."
"We will definitely check it out," Nick said.
"I am sorry to interrupt," Matthew added, giving them a regretful look."But Capitano Lavezzo has just arrived, Dario, and he would like to speak to you.He's waiting in the study."
She stiffened at the mention of Captain Lavezzo, and all her insecurities disappeared when she realized there might actually be information here."Are you talking to Captain Lavezzo about the robbery at your gallery in Firenze?"she questioned.
Both men looked at her in surprise.
"You heard about that?"Matthew asked.
"Yes.A painting by David Leoni was stolen.Have you been able to recover it?"
"Unfortunately, no.It is a tragedy.It was his only remaining piece of art, as far as we know.Do you know David's work?"Matthew asked."He was a brilliant, but a rather obscure artist."
"I know he painted with my great-grandmother, Lucinda Rossi, and Nick's great-grandfather, Tomas Caruso, whose paintings were recently stolen from a museum."She didn't miss the quick look the two men exchanged, although Jennifer didn't appear to be listening; she was still staring at Nick as if she would love to get him alone somewhere, and Isabella didn't think that was just about his connection to his parents.
"I haven't heard those names in years," Dario said."A very long time ago, when I was a teenager, I went to a workshop at Tomas's studio.He was very talented."Dario paused."I was shocked to hear about the museum robbery.I was even more surprised to know Tomas's art was still in existence.There was a fire that destroyed most of it, or all of it, I had thought.I hope Capitano Lavezzo will find our missing paintings."
"I hope so, too.We haven't been able to get much information from him."She paused."Do you know if David Leoni's work was connected to the paintings by Tomas and Lucinda?It seems odd they have all recently disappeared."
"It does."Dario turned to Matthew."Do you have any ideas?"
