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“Ah, Mancini.”
Shit.
Ana’s eyes flared as the very client appeared a few steps away. She had never seen him in person before. He was a commanding presence. Not so tall next to Antonio’s lean frame, but he was broad-shouldered and shrewdly focused with keen gray eyes. They matched neatly with the silver hair on his head. On his arm was a young, stunning woman with midnight black hair and narrow green eyes.
“Russo,” Antonio greeted, shaking his hand.
“Glad we’ve finally met. Your secretary has been giving me the runaround,” Russo drawled.
Ana squirmed in her spot. He had no idea that the ‘secretary’ was standing right there.
“My daughter, Celia.” Russo gestured. The beautiful woman dipped her head.
Ah. Not his mistress, then.
“And you must be the new Mrs. Bernardi.” Russo’s gray eyes honed in on Ana. She cordially offered a hand. “An honor to meet our new Donna,” he murmured, kissing the back of her hand.
“A pleasure to meet you both.” Ana smiled, flustered. “Why don’t you join us inside? Dinner should be starting shortly.”
“Of course. Just after a brief chat, if you don’t mind.”
She faltered as he summarily rejected her suggestion. She peered anxiously at Tony, hoping he was prepared for this conversation.
“My partners have been raving about the profits from the gold line,” Russo told Antonio, who smiled charmingly. So charming that she wouldn’t have believed his earlier nerves if she hadn’t seen them firsthand. “They keep demanding additional supply, but your secretary said it wouldn’t be possible for another six months at least.” Russo frowned heavily.
Antonio drew the man closer in a move that was easy and friendly. “I’m so glad you want to order more. But, you know, it’s just a little bit tricky. There are a couple of other contracts we have to fulfill first. And there are–well, we have to be careful with security and feds catching wind and all that. So there are a bunch of checks in place that slow things down.”
Tony glanced over at Emma, who nodded discreetly.
Russo also turned to eye her curiously, but Emma gave him a bland smile in return. “You have a small staff, right?” he pressed, turning back to Tony.
“Yes, Gio–uh Boss is looking to increase that next year.”
“But, why wait?”
Russo leaned into Antonio, an almost menacing smile splitting his face. Ana watched him warily, having the oddest impression of a python that was attempting to coil around them slowly, so slowly that they wouldn’t realize they were suffocating until it was too late.
“That’s why I wanted to meet with you,” Russo coaxed silkily, “to see if I could invest directly, perhaps explore a partnership?”
Her cousin laughed noncommittally.
But Ana frowned, wary of the suggestion. It wasn’t ideal. Russo’s investment could be a huge financial boost to the homegrown gold import operation. A partnership, however, also meant a significant loss of control–especially if it involved a man like Russo. Not to mention a potential threat to Gio, who was already attempting to establish governance over the Family businesses.
“Let’s talk another time, hm?” Russo clapped Antonio on the back. “Maybe without the womenfolk around.”
Both men turned to climb up the stairs as Ana’s mouth pinched in disgust.
Without the womenfolk around.
Ugh.
She was at least assured, after seeing her cousin in action, that he could handle himself. Tony was terrible with numbers and contracts, the supply chain, and honestly, anything involving the finer details of the gold business. But he was talented at schmoozing clients.
Noticing Russo’s daughter’s gaze on her, Ana schooled her expression. They were the last ones on the ramp after Emma wheeled Gabriella up to the entrance.
“Celia, right?” she asked politely.
“And you’re Ana.”
