Page 73 of Dante

Ignoring that, Dante moves to the center of the room, commanding attention without effort.

“I want everyone clear on their roles,” he says.

Lorenzo and Luca both shift their posture, shoulders squaring.

“Lorenzo, the operational side falls to you. Every contractor, every permit, the staffing plan, the timeline—all of it flows through your hands.”

Lorenzo nods. “Understood.”

Dante shifts his attention to Luca. “The financial side is yours. Keep the numbers in line, manage the projections, ensure we’re compliant. I expect those books pristine.”

“Consider it done,” Luca says with a nod.

When Dante’s eyes find mine, something in his gaze makes my skin warm.

“Gina,” he says, his voice softening just slightly, “that concept you mentioned. I want to see it become reality. The creative vision belongs to you.”

I feel my chest tighten, words momentarily stuck in my throat.

“You set the tone. The atmosphere. The aesthetic,” he continues. “Lorenzo is here if you need help executing your vision. Luca will fund it. But the design begins with you.”

A thrill runs through me.

Lorenzo pops a bottle of Champagne, and Luca hands us all a glass.

“Come,” Lorenzo says, waving us forward. “Let’s see Gina’s office.”

My office?

We walk past the industrial kitchen where stainless steel gleams under unfinished lighting.

“Here,” Lorenzo says, opening a door, “is command central.”

Inside is a large white desk, chairs, even a sofa.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, following the brothers as they arrange themselves on the sofa and chairs.

“Okay,” Lorenzo says, looking at me. “Let’s nail down what we have so far. Last week over dinner, we discussed the upscale pizza concept. At the time, I didn’t quite know what a caricature was. But your sketch of Uncle Silvio explained it all in an instant. I love your idea of chef caricatures. So does Luca.”

Though Lorenzo’s compliment fills me with pleasure, the mention of Silvio reminds me of the unspoken threat of war.

I push aside that uncomfortable thought. “Thank you.”

“So is your idea just one chef?”

“More,” I say. “I’ve been looking at restaurant designs on the Internet for inspiration.”

“What form will it take?” asks Luca. “Crazy-looking, exaggerated chefs on lighting fixtures? Or painted on the ceiling, looking down on diners as they eat?”

“Nothing so heavy-handed.”

“Your sketch of Silvio is notebook sized,” says Lorenzo.

“Right, but I’m thinking of ways to enlarge the chef caricatures and turn them into wall murals. I’ll have to look deeper into how that’s done.”

“Chef caricatures,” Dante muses.

“Yes,” I say, expanding on my idea. “Bold, playful, oversized. A mural wrapping the space. It should feel immersive. Alive.”