Page 54 of Alessio

Soon.

“Oh, and Les?”

“Yeah?” he asked.

“I need the contract for the auctions signed and faxed over soon to include your portfolio for the potential buyers.”

Yeah, damn.

“I, uh … I’m not going to the auctions, actually.”

Dare was silent for a moment. “Because of him?”

“It doesn’t matter why.”

“Whether I want you to do the auctions is not important, but I don’t want you not doing something you’ve wanted to do because Corrado Guzzi has more control of your life than he should, Alessio.”

“Dare—”

“You seem to forget you’re not an extension of him, Les. You’re not his shadow. Don’t forget you were somebody long before you even knew he existed.”

Yeah, but Alessio liked life better now.

He could never go back to then.

“Ma,” Chris greeted, leaning over the table to kiss a waiting, smiling Cara on her pinked cheek. Ginevra, standing next to the man, wasn’t offended that he said hello to his mother before he even considered pulling a chair out for her at the table. “Corrado sends his love.”

“I bet he does.” Cara’s gaze turned on Ginevra and lit up even more. “And I managed to get you away from that penthouse, hmm?”

A laugh escaped her.

“Thank you for asking me to lunch.”

Cara waved a hand. “Oh, it’s a little thing. Chris, help her sit.”

“Right, right.”

Chris pulled the chair across from Cara at the table out for Ginevra, and she made herself comfortable at the table. Once he was sure she and his mother were fine, he said his goodbyes, and said he would be back later before disappearing around the partition wall keeping them hidden from the rest of the restaurant.

And what a place it was.

Gold draperies, matching tablecloths, napkins, and dark-colored rugs under each modernly decorated table. Large golden chandeliers hung above every table, making Ginevra think she was underdressed in the simple black dress she had thrown on for the lunch date with Cara Guzzi.

“This place is …” Ginevra trailed off, unsure of how to describe it.

“A little much, yeah?”

She passed Cara a look.

The other woman only shrugged.

“My husband likes to go over the top,” Cara explained, “and since this restaurant is one of a few he owns, you can always tell when Gian has had his hand in the design. Lots of gold, a spattering of black, the sense of wealth all over … it all screams Guzzi.”

Ginevra hadn’t considered that, but now Cara had said it, she realized the other woman was correct. Like their mansion, or even the aura the couple and their sons gave off, it very much appeared like she was sitting in an excessive show of wealth.

Not that it was uncomfortable.

Just … very there.