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“He’s right, Enzo. I’ll handle it from here, and give you all the updates,” Marcel says.
I look over at Alessio. He’s been quiet for a while, and I don’t want to cause him more distress by keeping him here.
“Fine. I’ll have my phone with me, call me if you find out anything else.”
I gesture for Alessio to follow me back to the cart. Each footstep feels heavier than the last, and there’s a sinking feeling in my stomach.
“I’m sorry that happened, Dad,” Alessio starts once we get inside the car.
I cannot get myself to drive away just yet.
“I know how much this place means to you.”
His attempts at comforting me are honorable, but they aren’t enough. I can’t help but think of Quinn again.
If she was here, her touch would have soothed me immediately. I close my eyes and inhale a sharp breath.
“You’ve been so on edge lately.”
I can feel Alessio’s eyes on me.
“Even before this whole thing happened.”
“It’s related to business.” The words cannot come out of my mouth fast enough.
I do not know what came over me when I revealed to Luciana what was going on between Quinn and me, but I am not about to repeat the same mistake.
Alessio does not look convinced. “Are you sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the video?”
“Of course not. Why would you assume that?” I bark, harsher than I intended.
Alessio recoils slightly. “No need to get mad at me. I was just worried. Even if it is—”
“That’s enough, Alessio.” I shoot him a glare that lets him know to drop it now and start the engine. “It’s been a long day already.”
I make up my mind to do everything I can to keep Alessio and Valentino unaware of the relationship between Quinn and me. Well,formerrelationship.
Luciana was kind enough to be okay about it. But there’s no guarantee that the other two will have the same reaction.
Maybe if I keep them buried away for long enough, my feelings for her will eventually disappear and she will be nothing but a warm memory from a summer long gone.
She is everything I want, but letting her go is for the best.
When we arrive back at the house, Valentino awaits us in the driveway. He’s got a large envelope and a grim expression.
“Alessio, go inside,” I say before catching up to Valentino.
“Dad, I’ve just received the reports from the lab.” He thrusts the envelope into my hands.
I tear the paper open, the dull overhead light making me squint to read out the words written.
“So, it was tempered with.” Anger flares inside of me.
“Definitely. It was a deliberate sabotage attempt.”
My knuckles turn white by how hard I’m holding onto the paper. “What happened at the vineyard today, and this… They’re both connected, I can tell.”
Valentino presses his lips together. “I see where you’re coming from. But we only know that both things were foul play, not who was behind it.”