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“His father is really that bad?” Allegra asks.
“He split his lip when he found out we were married.”
“That’s brutal,” my sister says, shaking her head.
“Alessandro told me that his father has wished he was dead. He blames him for his brother’s death. When they argue, he tells him that the wrong brother died.” My girls gasp at my confession. “I honestly believe Alessandro has always been alone against his father, and for the first time he has someone in his corner.”
“Do you think he will do anything to win to prove his father wrong, though?” Lilly asks.
I shake my head. “Last night, he left the dinner with Elek Papps because we watched him fondle a waitress while insinuating I’m a bimbo and air-head socialite. He was going to fake being sick so that we could leave, but instead, I said I was.”
“Urgh, Elek Papps, he’s a known creep.” Giada groans.
“Is he?” Lilly asks.
“He likes hitting on younger girls at the clubs in his hotels. I’ve seen it when I’ve been DJing, it’s gross,” Giada explains.
“Then why the hell are we trying to buy his hotels?” Lilly asks.
“Alessandro said because they are good hotels in great locations,” I tell them.
“That’s what Luca has always said,” Lilly adds.
“Are you saying Alessandro left a meeting with a client that he’s trying to schmooze, who owns the hotels he wants to win the sale of to prove his abusive father wrong, and to win against your brothers because of a long-held family feud? Who blackmailed you into staying married to him hoping that he could wear you down, but instead, after being with you for a month, chose to protect you over winning?” Paige asks.
“Yes,” I answer hesitantly. The girls all stare at me in silence, and I feel uncomfortable. “He was being nice, that’s all. Not like Gio and Luca did anything to stop him.”
“And your brothers saw this behavior?” Lilly asks.
“Not where he slapped the waitress’s ass, no, but they didn’t say anything when he insulted me,” I tell them.
Paige’s mouth falls open in surprise.
“I think I’m going to have words with your brother,” Lilly says, storming off.
“As am I,” Paige adds, not looking happy, following her.
Oh no, I should go, too.
Allegra stops me. “Let them sort it out.” She grins.
“I’ve known Alessandro for many years on the party circuit, he was always a good guy. It was his older brother, Dario, that was the problem,” Giada explains.
“What do you mean?” Allegra asks.
“Dario liked to party, and when he did, he went to a dark place. I know you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but I wasn’t surprised that his life was cut short. He liked to push things to the limit. There was also talk that he didn’t treat the women he was with nicely either. He had a temper and an ego, you know the typical rich guy, he could buy anyone off to get out of trouble. When he was sober, he was a completely different person. Almost Jekyll and Hyde. Alessandro wasn’t like that. Was he a playboy? Of course, but he also had to clean up a lot of shit from his brother. I’m guessing Dario took after his father more than Alessandro ever did, maybe that’s why his father doesn’t like him because he can’t mold him into his image like he did Dario,” she explains.
“I don’t think punching your son or wishing them dead is going to make them want to grow up and be like you. What kind of parent does that?” I say to Allegra and Giada.
“Giuseppe Conti, that’s who. There’s nothing nice I have to say about that man, except that maybe he did do something right with Alessandro if he is nothing like him,” my mother states angrily. I’ve never seen her so angry before nor so shaken.
The chef comes out and tells us lunch is ready, cutting short our conversation.
“I’ll tell the boys,” my mother says as we head into the dining room.
“Well, good luck with lunch today,” Giada says, clapping me on the back before walking into the dining room.
“Let’s get it over and done with,” I say to Allegra as we head in.
