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Carlotta was standing right next to her, and Natale had also joined the conversation. Fiero was talking to Flavia, who was leaning against the wall right next to Emilio. He was talking with folded arms to Vincenzo, who had also made it out of his villa again, which was almost a miracle, because since the incident with the French he had gone back to barricading himself inside his own four walls.
I put my hands on the back of my head, leaned back a little, and wondered how big this family was going to get. It was not unusual for me to see the villa full of people going in and out, but it was always strange to see everyone in the same room.
So many distinct personalities. So many stubborn people whose favorite hobby was to bash each other's heads in. I was the same way, but it was still nice to just observe for a change.
Gia blended perfectly into the midst of those present. She didn't seem to feel uneasy. Perhaps that would change once everyone shed their hesitation and our genuine family life came to light. I couldn't remember a meal together where there hadn't been an argument. Someone always provoked a discussion, and in most cases it ended with someone getting hurt and having to make a quick trip to the doctor.
After a few minutes, Vincenzo broke away from the group and claimed the empty seat next to me for himself. He folded his arms, leaned back, and was simply present.
He didn't start a conversation, didn't even try. Until at some point I turned my head to him and looked at him questioning. It would have been more like him to leave the room and not reappear until dinner started than to sit down next to me in silence.
"I thought there was one or two things we should discuss."
I raised an eyebrow. Vincenzo and discussions? Something must be on his mind. What that was, however, was completely written in the stars.
"Which are?"
"Oh, starting with this new business relationship and ending with you throwing that woman there into a shark tank and how she somehow keeps everyone in line at the same time. Carlotta being Carlotta once again and so far the girl hasn't wavered."
I turned my gaze to Gia, who continued to be in conversation with half the family. I had thrown her into the deep end. Either she swam, or she sank. It was as simple as that. There were no other options.
"I expected nothing else."
"You know you don't introducerandomwomen to your family, right?"
"Never talked about her being any random woman," I replied with a sideways glance, but left it at that. I would be damned if I was going to tell him how important she had become to me.
He could guess, so what more did I need to say? Especially towards Vincenzo. I'm sure he was thrilled for me, somewhere deep inside, but it would open old wounds and that was something I couldn't do to him.
"By working with France, we can double certain money flows. Sometimes, triple it. That means there's extra money we have to put to work." Vince seamlessly moved on to the business part, although it was still not clear to me what he was getting at.
"I guess that's an excellent development," I replied vaguely. Good was the understatement of the century, because Vince gave a snort.
"It's your earnings. So the money is at your disposal. Pick any project and implement it. As far as I'm concerned, you can give it away or bury it in the woods and have a treasure hunt, as long as we get rid of it safe and in a timely manner."
For a moment, my brain was stuck on the treasure hunt, then I detached myself from the idea and nodded. "I think I already know what I'm going to do with it," I replied, my gaze fixed on Gia.
"Emilio still has nothing to do with it. So when I talk about a free hand, I mean it."
"I know."
"Fine, just take care of it and then we'll pretend it never happened."
"Same as always, then."
"That's right."
"And other than that? What else did you want to talk about?"
"I think that's it for now."
"You came here just to tell me that, didn't you?" I asked, amused.
A little too firm, he shook his head. "No. This is about a family dinner, isn't it?"
"Of course." I winked at him.
It was now actually about food, because one of Emilio's employees brought in the first bowls. With that, the group also broke up and spread out on the chairs around the table.
